Golden Compass (Blu-Ray)

• Category:  Video  »  Drama  »  Drama, General
• Format: Blu-Ray
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. & Canada only.)  Learn more about DVD formats.
  
• Number of Discs: 1
• UPC/EAN: 794043120442
• WAPI (Tower ID): 111864524
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• Release Date: April 28, 2008
• Average Customer Review:  (1 customer review)
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #85 in Movies (See Top 100 Movies Bestsellers)
• #14 in Drama (See Top 100 Drama Bestsellers)
• #14 in Drama, General (See Top 100 Drama, General Bestsellers)

•  [The Golden Compass - Official Website] 
  
•  [The Golden Compass - Wikipedia Entry] 
  
•  [The Golden Compass - Review at Rotten Tomatoes] 
  
•  [Chris Weitz, director - Wikipedia Entry] 
  

Los Angeles Times, 12/07/2007, "[A] formidable piece of craftsmanship, using some 1,100 effects shots to bring forth a physical space that has the ability to take your breath away."

Sight and Sound, 02/01/2008, p.65, "[D]irector Chris Weitz makes a spirited job of transferring Pullman's vision to screen..."

THE GOLDEN COMPASS is an adaptation of the first book in the beloved but controversial fantasy series by Phillip Pullman. The story opens with Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) an orphan girl who lives in an alternate world that is similar to earth, but where people's souls exist outside of their bodies in animal form. The people are ruled by a shadowy and oppressive council known as the Magisterium, which is doing it's best to keep everyone from getting information about what is called "Dust." Lyra's Uncle Asriel (Daniel Craig) has been researching Dust, and he has seen to it that Lyra is given safe shelter at Jordan College. But when the visiting Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) arrives, she asks Lyra to accompany her on a trip to the North to meet the Panserbjorne, a race of armored bears. Before Lyra leaves, the Headmaster gives her a golden compass, a device which only she can read, and from which she can intuit the truth. Lyra leaves with Mrs. Coulter, but when she learns that her friends have been kidnapped by "Gobblers," she heads out to find them, and soon joins forces with the nomadic Gyptians, some witches, and an armored bear called Iorek Byrnison (voice by Ian McKellen). Lyra finds her friends, and so discovers the evil plans the Magisterium has cooked up for the world's children. By the film's end, she has vowed to track down her Uncle Asriel, and to discover the true power of Dust.

Hollywood had a tricky time of taming this tale, as Pullman's books portray religion - the Catholic Church in particular - in a less than flattering light. The film version carefully steers clear of these themes, and instead puts its enormous budget into creating visually stunning effects. While fans of the books may find fault with this streamlined version, children are sure to revel in the many talking animals and whimsical airships.

• Great Deals on CDs under $9.99
  
  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Albums all for under $10! Great Music for Everyone's Tastes!
• Great Deals on DVDs under $12.99
  
  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic DVDs all for under $13! Great Movies, TV and DVD Specials for Everyone's Tastes!
• Great Deals on Books under $14.99
  
  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Books all for under $15! Great Reads for Everyone's Tastes!