Talking animals (and Nicole Kidman) do not a good film make

SALT LAKE CITY — The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that works to safeguard both the religious freedom rights and the free speech rights of Catholics whenever and wherever they are threatened, has been all aflutter with the release of "The Golden Compass," a film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s first book of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. Pullman is an avowed atheist who, I understand, has said he wants to bring about "the downfall of the Catholic Church."

"The Golden Compass" was written and directed by Chris Weitz.

Not having read Pullman’s books nor seen the original cut of "The Golden Compass," (New Line) I can’t comment on the degree of anti-Catholicism there, but in the ragged version of the film now on local screens, I can say the ultimate evil in the film, that which cuts people off from their daemons (pet-like animals that talk and are often quite wise), and stifles their free will is known as the magisterium. Only a building decorated with icons gives any hint the magisterium has any religious connotation at all.

We should not underestimate or ignore anyone or any group that professes to do damage to our faith or the Catholic Church, especially those who couch their messages in images children might find attractive. But "The Golden Compass," taken on its own as a slick, colorful, sometimes exciting film, is not a danger. Frankly, it’s not even a good film.

The largest problem I see in the story of the girl Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), who comes into possession of a golden compass, a device that is supposed to lead to the truth, and which only Lyra seems to be able to read and understand at first, is the lead character herself. Lyra is hastily cast into the hands of a "scholar," Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman), who is both powerful and evil. By the time the audience understands Mrs. Coulter’s motivations, they’ve long lost interest in Lyra. There is little in this child that is the least bit intriguing, except that there are so many good people and animals who are willing to assist her in her attempts to rescue children who have disappeared into the world of the magisterium.

Each person in the fictional land-of-the-future has his/her own "daemon," an animal that can change shape and species at will, talks, and often gives good advice. I found Lyra’s daemon, at once a ferret, then a cat, then a mouse, then a bird, far more interesting than Lyra, and I, along with a number of children in the 4:50 p.m. Saturday audience, was disturbed by the animal-on-animal violence between the daemons as well as children in peril.

One character Lyra befriends is the ice bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen). Iorek transforms himself from a hard-drinking, captive bear into a bear of the highest honor and dignity, only to be pitted against an evil ice bear and his minions by Lyra.

Veteran actor Sam Elliott plays an inter-galactic cowboy who also comes to Lyra’s assistance, getting involved in a western-type shooting fight. It makes one wonder if the filmmakers don’t have their genres a little confused.

The movie itself has a ragged feel to it; perhaps the result of extensive editing.

This is not a film for small children. It’s ending, though bloodless, is very violent.

The afternoon I saw the film I noted a number of parents taking small children (ages 2-6) who were upset by the animal-on-animal violence, out of the theater. And when the lights came up after the showing a good number of parents were waking up older children.

If there is concern about this film or possible sequels or the Pullman books, I suggest parents read the books and see the films for themselves with the children. As for most things, dialogue and good communications can help build trust and a good sharing of Catholic values would be helpful here.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Office for Film and Broadcasting classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of American rating is PG-13, with parents strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Both of these agencies liked "The Golden Compass" more than I did.