The Golden Compass DVD Review

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"The Golden Compass" reviews

DVD

The Golden Compass

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-04-25 16:50:23

Provider

DVD Review

Based on the popular children's novel by Philip Pullman, this first part of the Dark Materials trilogy has been posited as the next Lord of the Rings, chiefly thanks to the subject matter (a young girl who's oblivious to the fact that she is one of the chosen ones in a battle between good and evil) along with Pullman's dense, layered narrative.

Add such stars as Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig and, on paper at least, The Golden Compass should set the heart racing. Frustratingly, though, it doesn't. At just under two hours long it should come as a welcome relief to parents who have had to endure bum-numbing viewings of The Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter, but 120 minutes isn't sufficient to do this film justice, with many of the admittedly astounding set-pieces feeling horribly rushed.

Nonetheless Kidman has enough savvy to make her character Miss Coulter more than just a one-note villain, and Craig is excellent as Lord Asriel. Trouble is, they're not in it nearly enough and, while there is nothing wrong with Dakota Blue Richard's lead performance, whenever those two are on screen the film's multiple shortcomings disappear.

Let's hope they feature more in the inevitable sequels.

In addition to the film there's a sneak peak Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D trailer.