Customer Reviews
Spectacular effects, okay film - By: T. R. Alexander, 05 Jun 2008 
This film is based on the first book in the best selling `His Dark Materials' series by Phillip Pullman & although I haven't read any of that series I did enjoy this adaptation. As I have not read the book that this film is based on I cannot comment about how close it is to that but from the comments of others I can deduce that this isn't too good an adaptation but I feel that it more than makes up for this with some truly spectacular CGI & some adequate performances by the alll star cast.
Of the cast Nicole Kidman as the villainous Mrs Coulter was a surprising favourite of mine as I have never previously enjoyed any of her performances but she was unexpectedly good here. Another noteworthy performance was that of Sir Ian McKellen, he is always enjoyable & he was very good as the Armoured Bear Iorek Byrnison. On the down side I didn't think much of Dakota Blue Richards' performance in the main role & Daniel Craig was hardly in the film.
The main problem with this film, as I see it, is the rather lacklustre script which does let the film down terribly. This is somewhat made up for by the peerless special effects but this has lead to the film being visuallly spectacular if a little light on substance, much like many other modern films. Overalll this was an enjoyable film that would probably appeal more to those who haven't read the books first.
OK without great expectations - By: S. Thomas, 17 May 2008 
I went to see this at the cinema as a group visit & so, had little choice
As a fan of the books, i was pessimistic to say the least & after hearing the negative reviews, this just enforced that belief!
However, when leaving the cinema my mind had not been completely changed - i am not saying this is a great adaptation - its not. But, with the obvious controversial issues surrounding it & preventing the director from reallly going to town with the books, its not a bad effort
Upon saying that, with a somewhat optimistic expectation of the DVD, i am a little worried i shalll be disapointed seeing as, like i said, the film only reallly worked for me with little expectation
I am, however, looking forward to a Subtle Knife/Amber Spyglass adaptation seeing as they are supposed to be more true to the books
Such a sad travesty of the book, sorta looks OK - By: Big Ben, 12 May 2008 
With the sound off, it looks pretty good. With the vision off it sounds like Noddy goes North. Dialogue is seriously wooden & big lumps of wood have been glued in - presumably to patch up other holes in the script.
Yes, it is hard to get a massive book into a movie - but Hollywood has totallly missed the point of the books, & failed bigtime. So sad.
Good luck to those few who have enjoyed it - but please do not assume that kids will not notice the creaking script & holes in the plot left by Hollywood butchery. Kids are often smarter & more critical than adults. Especiallly kids who read.
This is not an extended edition of the movie - By: boywiththestarsinhiseyes, 10 May 2008 Just to reiterate J.J. Halll's review, I saw this title in a store alongside the original & thought that like with LOTR they'd reinstated lots of scenes that would would enhance the film but were deemed cuttable to get the running time down to an acceptable cinema length. A quick perusal of both boxes showed that both had main features that ran for 108 mins. What you get with this 2-disc edition is just lots of extra features (making ofs, interviews, etc). From the same company that did the excellent LOTR extended editions, this is a real disappointment. This isn't a review of the film (which I still haven't seen to be honest, heard mixed reviews but utterly love the books), just didn't want to see anyone caught out by the "extended" on the cover.
How can they get away with having 'extended edition' on the cover? - By: J. J. HALL, 05 May 2008 
I thought this to be a fairly flat & forgettable experience at the cinema with huge chunks of the book missing or re-arranged... a 2 star experience at best.
Then I heard nearly an hour of material had been cut by New Line & that gave me hope that at some point a 'Director's Cut' might perhaps emerge; with the correct ending & alll the other missing footage restored, but it is not on this DVD as the running time reveals!
I have not bought this as I am awaiting the inevitable re-release when this sells well... my review here is only to warn people that the 'Extended Edition' slapped on the front is false advertising in my opinion & I cannot fathom how they can get away with it... if you thought the theatrical release of this film was flat & tame then don't buy this as it is exactly the same film!!
