Perhaps one of the best book to film adaptations I have seen in a long time, The Golden Compass definitely doesn't disappoint.
Phillip Pullmans Northern Lights, the first installment from His Dark Materials trilogy, has been transformed into an on screen adventure as exciting as the book, by director Chris Weitz.
Unlike most adaptions, The Golden Compass remains true to the book, with all the main characters being exactly as you would imagine them to be and none of the main aspects of the plot being missed out.
After my initial issues with the American-ized name, I couldn't help but get lost in the narrative. The film is a flurry of action that grips the audience from the first scene to the last as we follow the main character, Lyra Belacqua, on her voyage to the North.
Lyra travels with her Daemon Pantalaimon and a group of Gyptians to save her friend and other kidnapped children from the experimentation's of the General Oblation Board (or the Gobblers, as the kids call them). She makes some wonderful friends along the way including, Serafina Pekkala (a witch), Iorek Byrnison (an armoured bear) and Lee Scoresby (an aeronaught).
Dakota Blue Richards plays Lyra to perfection with her excellent portrayal of the characters sense of adventure, boldness and gift of the gab.
I was unsure about the casting of Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter but, both have taken well to the roles and bring something of themselves while remaining true to the characters.
Each scene is beautifully shot, from the sophistication of Jordan College in Oxford to the starkness of the scenes from the North but, perhaps the most gripping scene is that of the bear fight between Iorek and King Ragnar. The audience can't help but track every blow as they wonder which bear will prevail.
Despite the religious debates surrounding the release of The Golden Compass, it is definitely a hit and a family blockbuster that shouldn't be missed.
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