Director: Chris Weitz. Screenplay: Chris Weitz, from the Novel 'Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman . Stars: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards, Ben Walker. Released: December 7, 2007.
Summary
A young girl inherits a device which points toward truth, which spurs her participation in a war against the sinister hidden forces that control her world.
Comments
That Compass has become most hyped fantasy film since Lord of the Rings is no coincidence, since this was New Line's deliberate effort to make lightning strike again with a sprawling, lavishly produced fantasy epic filled with the ineffable LotR mix of heartwarming acting, brilliant digital animation, and stunning world-building. The results are impressive on the technical and acting ends, with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig leading a fellowship of character actors carefully directed by Chris Weitz (who was pushed out only to be asked back). Yet the massive scope and the diligence that has gone into producing Lyra's universe has caused a shortfall on cohesion and vision, making the whole experience disappointing and unsatisfying.
