Taking place in an alternate Earth that is ruled by a tyrannical
organization known as the Magisterium, The Golden Compass is a darkly ingenious
fantasy that’s based on the first of author Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials
novel trilogy. The world of the Golden Compass is one where a person’s daemon is
an animal that walks side by side with them. Both an extension of their souls,
as well as a trusted sidekick, the animalistic daemons usually shape-shift into
various species until a child reaches adulthood, when it remains as one
particular animal. For instance, the daemon belonging to free-thinker Lord
Asriel (played by Daniel Craig, the current James Bond) is a snow leopard, while
the Magisterium agent Mrs. Coulter (Nichole Kidman) has a golden monkey.
Asriel and Coulter wind up on the opposite sides of a conflict that flares up
when Asriel, a noted explorer, has discovered evidence of multiple universes in
a remote area located within the northern icy wastelands. Getting the funding
needed from the university where he’s based, Asriel heads off north, leaving his
beloved niece Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) in the care of her daemon, Pan--as well
as the other professors at the college. However, when the mysterious Mrs.
Coulter shows up at the university, she claims to be also headed north, and asks
if Lyra could accompany her. Armed with an alethiometer--the Golden Compass of
the film’s title which can divine hidden truths--Lyra winds up in for the ride
of her life.
The Golden Compass is an imaginative journey, complete with flying warrior
witches (one of whom is played by the fetching Eva Green, Craig’s co-star in
Casino Royale); a cowboy aeronaut who flies an airship (played to perfection by
Sam Elliot) and a talking, armor-clad polar bear that becomes Lyra’s personal
bodyguard. Normally, I’m not a big fan of fantasy movies with talking animals
(which is one of the reasons I loathed The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe),
however Pullman’s universe is very well-thought out, with technology that looks
like a funky mixture of the 21st and 19th centuries. And TGC has a more darker
edge, with combat scenes that pull no punches, showing the daemons of those
killed vanishing within sparkling explosions of light.
Dakota Blue Richards, appearing in her film debut, is very impressive. Her Lyra
is very tough and street wise--yet is still very sympathetic. But the entire
cast--Kidman, Craig, Green, Elliot--are all extremely good. The big problem is
that the movie, which is meant to be the first part of a trilogy, ends rather
abruptly, with the promise of a major battle yet to come. Another problem is
that the film is too short; it needed to be at least a full two hours to
adequately explain the complex world and its fascinating characters. As it is
now, TGC feels rushed, and for those who haven’t read the books, it can be
confusing. The two disc set comes with a commentary by the
writer/director, along with several very well done making of documentaries.
Visually stunning, The Golden Compass' basic message of how important critical
thinking and free will are ultimately makes it a satisfying journey. Here’s
hoping they do the sequels.
--SF
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