6 years ago saw the successful releases (only one month apart) of the big screen adaptations of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Since then, it seems that every fantasy novel is being adapted. Of these adaptations, I believe The Golden Compass is the highest profile release since The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe came out two years ago.
My personal verdict on the film is that it is somewhere between the awe-inspiring feeling of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and the good, but not great feeling of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
In addition, it wouldn’t be proper to address this film without addressing the religious controversy over the film. Even though I haven’t read what’s in the book, it looks like the produces just changed the blatant anti-religious theme to more symbolic themes. I going to remain neutral on the controversy, however I do find it suspicious that the complaints come when a film is being made of a book that has been around for over a decade.
My only real complain about the film, is one I had for the Lord of the Rings films and that is the ending. In this film the ending just sets up the next film in the His Dark Materials trilogy and there is no real sense of closure.
That aside, it was still and decent film and I will look forward to seeing the rest of the story (in and when they come out).