The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass (2007)

  • 42% of critics liked it
    (190 reviews)

  • 55% of users liked it
    (321,913 ratings)

A young girl embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her best friend and fight the forces of darkness in director Chris Weitz's adaptation of the first installment of author Philip Pullman's best-selling fantasy trilogy. Screen newcomer Dakota Blue Richards stars as young heroine Lyra Belacqua,… More

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PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By
Chris Weitz
Written By
Chris Weitz, Toby Emmerich, Paul Weitz
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Dec 7, 2007 Wide
On DVD
Apr 29, 2008
New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    The Catholic League thinks it's anti-Catholic. Admirers of Philip Pullman's 1995 His Dark Materials trilogy think the film guts the backbone of the book. Me, I just think it blows.

  • Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

    Some of the material is wildly imaginative, some of it is just kinda silly. But it all looks good, and the kids are likable, [and] Kidman makes for an intriguing villain.

  • Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

    The Golden Compass is a blatant attempt to duplicate the success of the Harry Potter franchise. The only thing missing is richly imagined characters, a comprehensible story line, good acting, and satisfying special effects.

  • Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

    With its rushed, jargon-pumped exposition, surplus of quarter-baked characters, stray narrative strands and generously dropped hints of things possibly to come, The Golden Compass is a movie that wears its franchise ambitions on its sleeve.

  • Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

    An aura of disappointment takes hold midway into Golden Compass and becomes undeniable by the finish.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • John M


    Stylish, slick, and unfortunately troubled by another studio forcing a writer and director to try and cut a movie down so its more income friendly. In the end you get some quality acting and some sweet visuals. Heres to the sequel getting a shot.

  • Scott G


    Its basic, nothing is explored to make this film something that the youth in modern day will enjoy and... They haven't.

  • Directors C


    It's deeper, darker, and much more engaging than the likes of fantasies like the Narnia franchise. The Golden Compass is beautifully made with effects that will leave you in awe, backed with impressive acting and a magical and ambitious fantasy storyline that blew my mind. It was… More

  • Phil H


    To be honest I just didn't follow this, its like a cross between 'LOTR', 'Narnia' and 'Harry Potter' and frankly I'm getting so bored of it, there're just all the same. There's nothing new here as its all been done with… More

  • Candy R


    Great fantasy movie. A bit like the Chronicles of Narnia - full of talking animals and special effects. Nicole Kidman is her usual frosty self. Daniel Craig didn't feature much in the movie. Children are kidnapped from their families and need to be rescued by the heroine - an… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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Trailers & Clips

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