It seems that some reviewers are searching for reasons not to like this movie because of Philip Pullman's dislike of organized religion. Is this review shaped in part because of the book's anti-theocracy stance (although the director muted that aspect of the book in the film's adaptation)?

I think the problem is more that they seemed to have cut out some of the key religion-related details! :(

I'm personally very annoyed at the idea of the last three freaking chapters being eliminated!

Saw the movie at a sneak on press screening Tuesday night. The anti-Christianity/Catholicism message is still very much in place, but it's just not a very good movie. There are some odd design choices, and parts of the cast are wasted. Biggest problem is the first hour or so is unbelievably boring.

i have read the books and thought they are great but the film is terrible it is nothing like the book the order is wrong they go to the land of the ice bears last not first. at the end they dont even show what really happened roger getting the cut. how the true bear king was kicked out and how the new 1 got in. i give it 4/10

I would rank the director's work as 'very poor', this movie is surprisingly boring comparing to the book. They managed to make yet another harry potter, a good xmas movie for kids.

The movie turned out to be such a let down for me. The trailer for it looked liked it was going to be an Epic movie with amazing effects. I was totally bored!

how cares what people do what are we that shallow
to think that people can change their believes over a movie give me a break everybody its a STUNNING
movie just deal with it damn it

this movie was vary well done. i think the should make the next soon because it left me hanging
this movie was good and i am amazed it didn't get better reviews

i think they should finish the trilogy before you people judge it. i think the first movie was great so, but it was incomplete and am really excited for the next one.

Ok, I read the books, THEN saw the movie at the sneak preview 1 1/2 weeks ago. Weitz (the director) said in his interviews he was trying to leave the anti-church stuff out of it and to be honest, I think he did a good job considering how books 2 and 3 go....but how is he going to transfer the story from the "authority figures" being the bad guys to GOD being the villain......I think it was a mistake. Kids have no clue who the bad guy really is in these movies. When "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" come out there will be a whole lot more to talk about. You can't leave out God or....ok I can't give away the end......God...when he is a very main character in these stories. Good luck pulling this one off Weitz, and I TOTALLY think he should have picked a story a little less complex than this for his first epic trilogy.....Hopefully they DON'T make the sequels until they redo this piece of crap. Even though I am a christian I enjoyed the books and would want the film done the right way if it was going to happen. Having said that.....Philip Pullman may have written great fantasy books, but I will never forgive him for throwing children, gay angels, and a lying God all in the same book. Have fun reading kids.

Funk

Well, i dont know what to say... I´ve read the books, all of them... and I loved it. Im not christian or atheist, im agnostic. But despite being a very openned person, that can usually understand both sides, its impossible to me to understand why is catholic league boicoting this film. The books are bit agressive, specially the 2nd and the 3rd, as said earlier, but the director did tried to "littlelize" the church role in the movie. Althought that role is still understandable, I cant believe that a movie that I've waited more than 3 years has the possibility to not have a sequel just because an important and powerful organization is trying to strugle against... what... free will??.. After all, this is a free world, or is it not??!! The identities that helped to make, or made this film have the right to express them selfs using an enjoyable experience for all the families in the world...
And, lets think. Who would waste US$180 millions just to promote atheistic ideas??
About the movie... Althought i liked it, I am a bit disapointed with it, specially because they cut the final scenes. These scenes will be put in the sequel, if there is still a chance of it to exist.

Regards

let me tell u something people i dont now what the beep your talking about but i saw the movie and read the book and it was fantastic so yalll calm your beep down and be appreciative of the hard work the producer put into it and stop being so freakin obnoxious and rued. the director did great and the movie was amzing and even though i m a catholic i still liked it so stop tallking all that crap about the religion part of it and also think before you act. p. s. I HOPE THEY MAKE THE SEQUALS SO THERE HORRABEL CRTICS HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT

The criticism some you people put into this is just ridiculous. You complain because its a poor adaption of the book. Umm...sorry to disappoint you, but every book to movie adaption is pretty much expected to be terrible. To ever go into a movie expecting a perfect adaption is just shallow in my opinion. Important details are always cut and plots are always twisted around. Bourne Trilogy is a perfect example, great movies but it looses all reference to the book half way through the first movie.
If it bores you than I'm sorry, thats just your taste and I completely understand you.
Personally, I along with all my college friends enjoyed the movie and thought it was great, maybe because we still have some sense of imagination. Acting was well done in my opinion as were the special effects. I hope and look forward to seeing a sequel.

This movie is going to be the worst movie of the year. I mean its totally wierd, i havent watched it but the trailers sure do give alot away and when i was younger i read it and just threw it away it was so stupid, and alot of ppl arent going to watch it. If you go to his website he says alot of stupid stuff. So if you like this movie then all I gotta say is good luck.

this movie is disgusting no one should watch it. the meaning behind it is sick. killing god. wow how much more devilish can it be?

I hope it doesn't have a good turn out! Any movie that is trying to teach children that you can do as you please, and just take God out of the picture. Does not have any place in our theaters!! And that we all should have our own deamons Is Just Disgusting!! What next !

whats wrong in having our own daemons walking beside us..
tis is a beautiful story..i hope they make the sequel

Just a recommendation to a couple of you- if you would like your opinion to be given any credibility whatsoever, you might try checking your spelling once and a while. It's pretty bad when people can't even understand what you were trying to say. As for the movie: I haven't had the chance to see it yet, but the books were some of my favorites when I was younger. I am Christian and I can't help resenting the fact that adults in the church perpetually seem to be trying to censor what might be "dangerous" ideas from the eyes of their children. I remember an older lady in my church once trying to prevent my mom from buying me the first Harry Potter book because it encouraged "witchcraft." I'm glad that my mother was open-minded enough not to heed her advice. These books are fantasies that stimulate the imagination of children and should be assessed as such. Children will eventually encounter atheist ideas whether you censor what they read or not- it's a part of living in this world. At least you have some influence over what they think of these ideas while they are still young, if you are concerned with bringing them up to be good Christians. So, fellow Christians, please try to be a little more open-minded about the free expression that people thankfully still have the right to exercise in this country.

I didn't think this movie would cause such conterversy. I personally enjoyed it, and i plan on seeing the next one. I definately agree with "tolerant."
I am not Christian but my step mother and step sisters are. They all read Harry Potter and love movies like the Golden Compass.
I talked to my step mother about the conterversy surrounding this movie and she said that an imagination is important and that just because she believes in something doesnt mean shes going to close herself off to experiancing, or trying to understand the rest of the world and their beliefs whether they be imaginary or real. I respect that!
(sorry about any spelling mistakes:P)