Without understanding any of this complex fairy tale plot, The Golden Compass starts out slowly, while it fills in details of this fast-paced fantasy adventure.

The CGI effects are nothing short of astonishing, particularly when it comes to rendering the demons and ice bears.

The ice bears' fight is stunning and a definite highlight of this film.

Don't worry about putting all the pieces together; just have a good time.

Though the art direction is beautiful, the story isn't always that clear in this well-directed version of Phillip Pullman's novel.

Yes, it's full of armored ice bears, aeronauts, and, of course, the alethiometer, but the direction Lyra is heading may not be towards success.

Nicole Kidman is delightful as the icy Mrs. Coulter, but only attendance will determine if we're in for a new trilogy.

The Golden Compass is a snowy-cold mystical kiddie ride that hovers somewhere between the loopy and the mournfully sad.

The movie is big, noisy, and fantastic, yet mysteriously spiritless.

It's packed with talking animals, sparkly light showers, and a mystic substance known as dust.

In my view, this is all just window dressing for a slow-paced, chopped-up, one-dimensional rescue adventure story.