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The Golden Compass
2007 113 min United Kingdom, United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.4
Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Chris Weitz
🎭 Based on
«Northern Lights»
byPhilip Pullman
Trailers
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EN
Teaser
EN
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EN
Description
In a parallel universe, after overhearing a shocking secret, precocious orphan Lyra Belacqua trades her carefree existence roaming the halls of Jordan College for an otherworldly adventure in the far North, unaware that it's part of her destiny.
Budget:
$180M
US Gross:
$70.11M
Worldwide:
$372.23M
Starring
Nicole Kidman
Actor
Daniel Craig
Actor
Dakota Blue Richards
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 2008
— Best Visual Effects
Academy Awards 2008
— Best Visual Effects
Saturn Awards 2008
— Best Young Performer
BAFTA 2008
— Best Visual Effects
Academy Awards 2008
— Best Visual Effects
Saturn Awards 2008
— Best Costume Design
Saturn Awards 2008
— Best Visual Effects
Key opinion
The Golden Compass is widely regarded as a visually stunning but narratively hollow adaptation that struggles to capture the depth of Philip Pullman's source material. While the production design and special effects receive near-universal praise, critics and fans alike feel the screenplay simplifies the story to the point of emptiness, leaving the film feeling incomplete and underdeveloped.
| Production | The film features top-tier visual effects and art direction, particularly in the rendering of the armored bears and the fantastical parallel world settings. | |
| Acting | Nicole Kidman is widely lauded for delivering a sophisticated and compelling performance as Mrs. Coulter, often cited as the film's strongest acting contribution. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for being sterile and primitive, stripping away the thematic nuance and religious critique of the original novels to favor a shallow, episodic structure. | |
| Ending | The film's abrupt conclusion—which omits a crucial narrative resolution in favor of a cliffhanger—leaves many viewers feeling unsatisfied and frustrated by the lack of closure. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performance are divided; some find Dakota Blue Richards an endearing and bold newcomer, while others characterize her portrayal of Lyra as bland and irritating. | |
| Acting | Reactions to Daniel Craig's portrayal of Lord Asriel are split between those who appreciate his presence and those who find the role significantly underutilized, underdeveloped, or miscast. |