The Golden Compass [Blu-ray] | ![The Golden Compass [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/615U8yaGAeL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Actors: Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig
Studio: New Line Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $18.60
You Save: $21.38 (53%)
New (31) Used (7) Collectible (1) from $18.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  112 reviews
Sales Rank: 80
Format: Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), Icelandic (Original Language), Russian (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Blu-ray
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 113
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 1000038168
UPC: 794043120442
EAN: 0794043120442
Theatrical Release Date: December 7, 2007
Release Date: April 29, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New factory sealed. Will mail first class Postal. Ships from Georgia.
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Product Description
In a parallel universe where witches rule the skies and armoured bears are the bravest warriors young Lyra Belacqua journeys from her home among the scholars at Oxford to the far North to save her best friend. Based on the first book in the Carnegie Medal-winning series His Dark Materials.Format: BLU-RAY DISC Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY/FANTASY UPC: 794043120442 Manufacturer No: 1000038168
Amazon.com
A fantasy epic with more than a passing resemblance to the Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia film franchises, The Golden Compass takes place in an alternate universe where each human's soul is embodied in a companion animal called a daemon. Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), an orphan who's lived most of her life among the scholars at Oxford, is intrigued when her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), announces his plans to travel north to investigate the source of some mysterious particles called Dust. Lyra has little hope of following her uncle until a mysterious woman named Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman, at her most icily beautiful) asks Lyra to travel north as her personal assistant. All is not as it seems, however, and the disappearance of Lyra's friend Roger (Ben Walker) sets her on a dizzying adventure. She does have an alethiometer, or golden compass, that can help her see the truth, and a number of companions, including her shape-shifting daemon, Pantalaimion (voiced by Freddie Highmore of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), polar-bear warrior Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen), Texas aeronaut Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott), and witch queen Serafina Pekkala (Craig's Casino Royale co-star, Eva Green). Even before its release, The Golden Compass was the subject of controversy over its perceived anti-religious themes. While it does involve an oppressive institution called the Magisterium, it's not overtly religious, particularly to a young viewer. The movie's PG-13 rating should be taken seriously, however. Suitable for an older audience than Narnia (though younger than The Lord of the Rings), it deals with complex concepts, violence (though largely bloodless) and implied death, children and animals in peril, and an unrelentingly ominous and unsettling mood. Despite a few changes and rearrangements, the overall plot of the movie is remarkably faithful to its source material, the first installment of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. It doesn't finish the book, however, and--much like The Fellowship of the Ring did--leaves the viewer hanging in anticipation of the next film, The Subtle Knife, due in 2009. So even though The Golden Compass is impressive--especially with its spot-on cast and terrific visual effects--we probably won't know its full emotional impact until the story is complete. --David Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 107 more reviews...
Armored Bears! May 13, 2008
This one would have gotten two stars, except for Armored Bears.
Disclaimer: I have not read the book, and I am unlikely to, after seeing the movie. I am glad I waited for the DVD release.
The characters were two-dimensional, and we never really get a feeling of WHY they do what they do.
The evil is vaguely defined, but not really understood.
The bit about a person's soul accompanying that person as an animal sidekick was intriguing, but wasn't exploited, although it was hinted that it was a central issue in the conflict, we were never told why.
All in all, the movie seemed to be a collection of favorite scenes from someone's favorite book, but lacked the fabric which connected those scenes into a comprehensible whole.
But the Armored Bears were pretty cool!
 A work of Art and well worth our precious time. May 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Here we have tangible evidence we should not let any special interest dictate what we should or should not watch. This film is a delight for children and adults as well. I shudder to think there is someone of voting age out there who would find anything offensive with this film as it is overflowing with heartwarming attributes. From the TreeHouse.
"Lady, Lightning Bolt, Baby ~ Nothing But Us And The Child" May 12, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Not knowing anything about `The Golden Compass' nor the book `Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman upon which this film is based, I must say I was not only pleasantly surprised, but amazed by what I saw and heard on my initial viewing. The visuals are astounding and the storyline is original, highly controversial (at least in the mind of some religious groups) and abnormally complex.
Maybe even more amazing to me than how good this film is, was the high volume of criticism and low ratings it has compiled from Amazon reviewers. I can discern only three possible reasons for this unlikely occurrence;
1- It's to be expected if the film diverges from the book, something purist cannot tolerant. (Again, not having read the book in question I cannot comment on its faithfulness to the source material).
2- It might be a case of not appreciating the complexity of the story. You can't just jump into this film and immediately know what's going on. You have to exert a little effort and brain power to work your way into this alternate universe before settling down for the ride.
3- However I'm certain that the biggest body of complaints come from Christian factions that don't like their belief system challenged in any form. The portrayal of an evil ruling body known as the Magisterium may hit a little too close to home for some Catholics and those within the Protestant camp will most certainly be bothered by seeing every human accompanied by what appears to be an animal familiar referred to as a daemon* (no it's not a demon, think of the Hellenistic concept of the daemonic).
*These animals are part of the individual. In this imaginary world the soul is separated from the body and exists as a companion creature that accompanies the individual throughout life.
If that wasn't enough to cause some of the faithful to begin beating their war drums and rattling their sabres it doesn't help to see a heroine who's furry companion is named Pan (short for Pantalaimon), a beautiful witch queen with the angelic sounding name Serafina (i.e.: Seraphim) who fights with the "good guys", and the heroine's courageous Uncle, Lord Asriel who's name is all too similar to that of the fallen angel Azriel, long associated with the Devil.
These religious/mythological cross-references don't stop here. I noticed a couple borrowed from Norse mythology as well. There's Lorek Byrnison ( possibly referring to Loki, the trickster God) and the immense warrior polar bear Ragnar Sturlusson could be a subtle, athropomorphic reference to Ragnarok, the Nordic version of the Apocalypse.
Of course there's always the possibility that someone simply doesn't like the film for reasons I've yet to comprehend, but I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't enjoy such an imaginative, allegorical, fantasy adventure. In case you haven't figured it out by now, I loved it!
Postscript: For those who find their religious preferences offended and challenged by `The Golden Compass' I suggest you think of it as not so much as an attack on your faith, but rather an opportunity to expand your horizons and see the world through the eyes of someone outside your spiritual paradigm.
interesting.......but not fantastic... May 12, 2008
Never read the book....
Pretty good fantasy movie with great graphics /actors/actresses...
Good stuff...but the movie has no ending as part 2> are probably comming.
Good for multiple views.
 Bought the DVD and turned it off before the movie started! May 11, 2008
2 out of 13 found this review helpful
It's bad enough that the DVD creators have found a way to keep you from
skipping over the FBI warning, movie previews, etc before you can see the movie, but the Golden Compass sinks to a new low! After the afore mentioned stuff you have to suffer thru, The actresses gives a speech after the likes of Al Gore to save her polar bear from "global warming". I bought the DVD to see a movie, not to hear about Hollywood's junk science agenda!
Don't buy this! Hello Hollywood: stick to entertainment, not politics. I've read reviews that the classic Sci-fi movie "The day the earth stood still" is being remade but the theme is not about preventing global war this time, but Earth is going to be wiped out because we didn't take care of our environment. Gimme a break Pleaaaaaaaaaase!
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