2007, USA/UK
Adventure, Animation, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A snowy landscape, cute woodland creatures and a girl with the key all share a part in Chris Weitz' adaptation of the first book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. But this is no fairytale.
Young Lyra Belacqua lives in a parallel world to our own, where every human has an animal counterpart. This individual totem is constantly evolving until a child becomes an adult, when her animal becomes a true representation of her character. While children are finding their way in the world, this dæmon, as it known, accompanies them and provides a voice for their conscience. Questioning their motives when frightened and attacking threatening dæmons, they cannot exist without each other.
Beyond these physical manifestations of the soul is the Dust that holds everything together, within each adult and from one world to the next. In Lyra's world, Dust is a forbidden topic known about by few and discussed openly by none. Controlling the flow and stoppage of information is the Magisterium, a Big Brother of sorts that believes their power lays in the next generation. By telling the children how to think now, they will assure their command of the future.
Ironically, much fuss has been given to the Catholic League's boycott of this film, who have stated -- without seeing the film or reading all of the books -- that this is a gateway film to an atheist message expressed in later books of the trilogy. By attempting to prevent the public from viewing the film and forming their own conclusions, they neatly mimic the fictional Magisterium. By questioning possible religious messages within the film, they draw attention to a dominating authority figure that may otherwise have been interpreted as a power hungry government. Their anxiousness raises questions about the Catholic Magisterium, who provide infallible teachings to their congregations.
This film does not question God, but rather those who control his teachings. In the movie, the central message revolves around a matter of free will and whether people should be able to think independently. Not a cuddly adventure for the youngest audiences, but older kids will appreciate the idea that they can change and learn about the world on their own.
Newcomer Dakota Blue Richards portrays Lyra with strength and questioning intelligence. Her nemesis is represented by Nicole Kidman as glamorous Marisa Coulter, lady villain of the Magisterium. Her uncontrollable evil desires are expressed through her mischievous golden monkey, who unlike other dæmons, never speaks but only manifests itself through anger.
Lyra leads a journey to find kidnapped children who will be reprogrammed by the Magisterium, and secondarily to find her uncle who is exploring a Dust discovery. Accompanied by gypsy-like Gyptians, soaring witches, an aeronaut cowboy, an armored ice bear and a truth-telling alethiometer (aka the golden compass), Lyra finds strength when she needs it.
Weitz has created a beautiful world with the assistance of amazing animation infused with the dark, menacing hand of authoritarian rule. Left wide open for part two, future films should continue to inspire great discussion.