‘The Golden Compass'

Bringing Philip Pullman's “His Dark Materials” trilogy to the big screen was always a risky proposition, as the series' dense mythology and complex handling of such weighty issues as religion aren't easily translated into the kind of big-budget fantasy adventures Hollywood likes to make. As it turns out, the film version of the first book in the series manages to keep the book's themes, but completely loses its sense of magic and wonder. The lack of a strong director behind the camera is the biggest failing; Chris Weitz obviously respects the source material, but doesn't know how to bring it to life onscreen. What you're left with is a stiffly-acted and disjointed chase movie that mostly just sort of lies there. Sorry, New Line, but this ain't the next “Lord of the Rings.” Heck, it might not even be the next “Chronicles of Narnia.” 1 hr. 54 mins. Watch the trailer.

Ethan Alter | McClatchy-Tribune