Eye Candy #170 - "The Golden Compass"

The Golden Compass: A more successful fantasy aimed at children than say, "Eragon" (yet the story seems a little high brow for children), but still largely disappointing. The special effects take the driver's seat away from the most important aspect of storytelling and character development and a lot of exposition is given just the more cursory of glances. I haven't read Philip Pullman's books, and I was often lost and trying to determine exactly who was doing what to who. A young girl and her "demon" (a sentinent shapeshifter companion) head to the far North to explore the nature of her world using a golden compass, including her world's connection to other universes and worlds, while the Majesterium (spelling?) wants to separate children from their "demons" so that they may live 'normal' lives. Daniel Craig is showcased but is barely in the picture as Lord Asriel. Nicole Kidman gives it her best shot at Lady Coulter, the agent of the Majesterium who is after the compass, and the supporting cast is game, but the film just doesn't add up. Good special effects, good voice-over work (the cast of "Eragon" should take lessons from Ian McShane), but disappointing overall. Woodchuck sez, "Nothing to write home about."