This film can either be thought of as strictly fantasy or there can be deeper meanings in the story. The film has caused controversy among religious groups. The story, written by Philip Pullman, an outspoken atheist, has riled the religious right, especially the Catholic Church. The stories in this series "denigrate Christianity, thrash the Catholic Church and sell the virtues of atheism," said Bill Donohue, president and CEO of the Catholic League. But the story can be taken as solely a fantasy adventure too.
The film takes place in an alternate reality where demons (in animal forms) walk alongside the humans. Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) is a ward of Jordan College, placed there by her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig). The evil Magisterium organization seeks to dominate the human race and would go to extreme measures to take away free thought from the people so they can be controlled by the organization. Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman) is a scientist in cahoots with the Magisterium.
Lord Asriel departs for the Arctic Circle where he hopes to find "dust" an element that is present in several alternate universes. At that time the Master of Jordan College (Jack Shepherd) gives Lyra a magical Golden Compass - an Alethiometer which is a truth-telling and future-telling device that answers the questions formed in the mind of the user. Lyra is the only one who can read it.
The story continues as Lyra and her friends take on the evil Magisterium. She is aided by her demon (voiced by Freddie Highmore), a tribe of Gyptians, witches, an airman (Sam Elliott) and a powerful armored bear named Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen). About Malibuite Elliott, Pullman says, "Sam has the extraordinary ability to sum up everything we mean by the idea of cowboy. The grizzled veteran. The white moustache. The eyes that look a thousand yards. All these things. And he as the capacity to be both tough and wise' dangerous and warm."
Their adventure is the first step to the great war which is coming soon. Lyra will need all the help she can get in order to save all the worlds - hers and the parallel universes that exist beyond the Northern Lights.
Yes, this is a little confusing. It is also filled with spectacular effects. Personally, I didn't feel the Catholic controversy while watching the movie. It felt to me more like the Nazi's were the evil force. Either way, this film is sure to cause more controversy. And it is only the beginning of the saga. Remember...the great war is coming.
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