Review of The Golden Compass (2007) by Yousef S — 25 Nov 2013

Managing to take one of the most philosophical and alternative fantasy-adventure series out there, and complete gut it of any and all things worth while, The Golden Compass was exactly what I was told it would be; terrible.

Though it's ambitious, The Golden Compass is also a complete failure. I've heard that this may be mainly the fault of New Line Cinema and not Director/Writer Chris Weitz, who was reportedly upset with the changes New Line forced upon him. However, it's not my job to decide where the blame lies, it's merely my job to tell you that whomever is at fault, Golden Compass is still shite.

Though the addition of Ian McKellen (Apt Pupil, Gods and Monsters, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Da Vinci Code, X-Men, X2, X-Men: The FInal Stand) and Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Death Race, Coraline, Case 39, 44 Inch Chest, The Sorcerer's Apprentice) is of course welcome, they were both in voice-acting only roles, which further stunted their ability to save this rubbish.

This is a short review I know, but to wrap it up here is my advice to you; it's pretty, but not pretty enough to be worth it, and prettiness is the best thing it has going for it. Unless they come up with a sequel to it soon, I don't think I can give you a reason to touch this one. Should a sequel crop up that's even remotely decent, then maybe it'd be be a good idea to get the back story.

22%.

-Gimly.