The Golden Compass is a story of a orphaned girl who wants to go up north to witness a parallel world whose knowledge about it is kept hidden from many by the magisterium.
One cannot deny how much is spent for this movie given its digital effects and other factors which makes it as truly an entertaining piece of art. The screenplay is precise, written in the language of the children and the music makes one jump up from his chair and be moved to action. The cast performed its role quite well. Cinematography is excellent. Visual language through film does give the imagination some degree of satisfaction.
Many controversial issues have been raised about the film before its showing, some based on religious arguments, others, whether it could be at par with the Lord of the Rings.
It is true that some aspects of the film are worth commending e.g., the intimate relationship between humans and their daemons in animal form. Hurt one and you hurt them both. Whatever they symbolize, it seems like the daemon is a person's best friend; he is something that represents his very self. Another example is how the film values friendship and loyalty.
However, the writer's concept of the truth as something that others want to be kept hidden needs to treated with a grain of salt. Could others become so powerful for so long as to hide the truth and keep the rest in the darkness of ignorance? Or could it be that truth cannot be manipulated, for truth sets everyone free? If it were the former, then the viewers, especially the children are forewarned about seeing this film considering that the writer who is intent on guarding the truth represented by the golden compass may actually be the one "manipulating" the viewers' minds to see truth the way he see it.
As such, the stereotypical of the battle between good and evil may not be stereotypical at all; its visual symbols needs to be examined under watchful eyes.
Rating: 2.5/5
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