In our world, our souls live in our bodies, in Lyra's world they walk around beside us as animal spirits. Every human has one and while you are a child the soul or "demon" can freely change shape.

Lyra, an orphan living in a prestigious school, but visited by her Uncle (Daniel "James Bond" Craig) often finds herself on a trip to find her friends who had disappeared - taken by the mysterious Gobblers. Originally travelling with someone whom we suppose is a school teacher (Nicole Kidman), who turns out to be rather nasty - she escapes and enlists the help of some Gyptians, an icebear (voided by Ian "Gandalf" McKellan) and finds herself on a quest of epic proportions to save her own, and all other universes from the evil Majesterium (or something like that).

It seems that Hollywood loves to make, what some people consider, controversial films of late. Following the ridiculous protests at films like "Harry Potter" or "The Da Vinci Code", this is another of those films Christians seem to have taken a disliking to.

Why might this be? Granted the book trilogy supposedly (I haven't read it) gets a bit darker after the first book (ie this film) and concludes in the destruction of God himself - but in many ways - this film by itself merely expresses a fantasy universe where things are a tad different from our own. It doesn't claim to be reality, any more than films like "The Matrix" did.

Or perhaps it's the view that this film makes the occult (witches, demons and things like tarot) more acceptable and in some ways villifies an institution that reminds me suspiciously of a certain major religious denomination. I certainly don't think that the choice of the word "demon" was an accident - nor that the author doesn't have some kind of agenda here - but is it really worth picketting about?

There are plenty of other films that share differing views on life, the universe and everything (Hitch-hikers guide for example) that don't even get mentioned. And when did it become immoral to share your views through the media of film? Let's face it, the same people objecting to this film are the same ones that will be singing the praises of films like The Passion and Narnia. If a Christian viewpoint can be expressed, then it follows that any other faith whether it be Islam, paganism, secularism or Judaism be afforded the same air time - like it or not.

In many respects the Golden Compass was quite family friendly as films go. It did manage a bit of a Lord of the Rings style at times, probably due to some of the fight scenes with the bears and witches towards the end. I was (and I suppose, still am) intreagued as to where precisely the story is headed, so in that respect I may as well book my tickets for the second and third films.

The main actress (Dakota Blue Richards) despite having an annoying cockney accent played her part well - as did Daniel Craig. I thought that Kidman was a tad weak in her role, to be honest and it was weird hearing Gandalf coming from inside a big polar bear. wizards huh!

Although it would be true to say that I enjoyed the film, I do have my reservations too. As films go it was pretty average - probably at the same level as Narnia in that respect. Parents should be aware that at one point a bear gets its jaw ripped off - but in that respect the U rated original Star Wars film was probably as gory with the Mos Isley limb amputation.

My biggest concern is the use of the term "demon" to mean a cute furry, yet sometimes ferocious, spiritual companion. Maybe thats just me though...

see also:
National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Fantastic Four, Welcome to the Jungle, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

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photo © New Line Cinema.