THE GOLDEN COMPASS Film Review - 31/12/07

I was rather concerned about this film adaption of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy from New Line with "The Northern Lights" becoming "The Golden Compass". I found the books to be very hard going and didn't really enjoy them; so it was to my surprise that they have pared down the work, into a manageable story that retains most of the original plot elements. Suffice to say the creation of the parallel world similar to our own is extremely well handled with the judicious use of sets and settings and some very well gelled CGI that enhances the story considerably. After 2 hours I found myself looking forward to the following two films in the series with anticipation.

A young orphan girl living in a very similar world to our own is being used by the forces of Light and Dark in a battle for all the worlds of the universes for the right to have Free Will. From the fighting bears of the Northern Wastelands to the austere power of the Magisterium battle commences when the last golden compass is given to the girl, and her and her companions adventures begin. With flying witches and Gyptian hordes using powered steamboats and skyships the Golden Compass shows the Truth amongst the dark.