Movie Review - The Golden Compass

Several years ago I read Philip Pullman's novels for young adults on which this movie was based. I enjoyed them. I also enjoyed Director/Writer Chris Weitz's movie.

The Golden Compass is a lush movie which is true to the spirit of the books and tells of a young girl Lyra played by Dakota Blue Richards and her "quest" aided by a magical Golden Compass which will help her to find the truth. The expressions on her face as she plays this part are perfect. She runs the gambit of emotions showing everything from wonder and amazement to determination and courage and she does it all beautifully. This young woman is going to go far in the world of acting and I shall enjoy watching her subsequent movies.

Daniel Craig, the newest (and best IMHO) James Bond and Nicole Kidman also star in the movie and again in my humble opinion were perfect choices for the parts they played. It is always wonderful to see great acting and "believe" that you are watching the character and not the actor.

Much has been made of the "anti-church" aspect of the movie and books with the Magisterium a thinly disguised hierarchical church which seems to want to control everything in all the linked worlds and that is definitely a part of it. However as my mother used to say "if the shoe fits wear it." For a brother Masons view of this controversy go to John Ratcliff's Weblog.

The move has fanciful characters including shape shifting (for the children) Daemons who are like souls who accompany them and carry on conversations and help them. The Magisterium is trying to separate the children from their daemons. The movie web site has a test you can take to determine your own daemon. Mine is an ocelot named Lorena.

The movie also has a talking Polar Bear (Ian McKellen) and witches and werewolves. Something for everyone. It concludes with the promise of sequels. I hope they are made as I found it very enjoyable

There were a lot of young adults at the movie. I heard one of them say that there was still a lot of material left in the books to make more movies. They would be of an age that were reading the books when they first came out. I hope there are enough moviegoers who will attend the movie so that they will make the next two. They will be worth it.

Go see the movie. It will be a couple of hours well-spent. Hugs, j

PS. The Des Moines Consistory Blog has been updated.

PPS. I had a little fire in the house tonight. A candle I was burning caught some angels on fire and burned the top of my gate leg table. Brandon is going to get it and refinish it for me. It also burnt the little fiber optic bonsai tree and the little cut glass dish was broken. The silver ladle is going to require professional treatment. Oh well, It could have been worse.