Having read and then listened to the Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman on tape, my daughters and I were really looking forward to seeing The Golden Compass. For preteens and teens, the books were an amazing introduction to physics, religious control, and the concepts of alternate realities and animal daemons, all within a story of 11/12-year-old heroes.

The idea of battling for control of Heaven seems a little too metaphysical for sixth graders, but Pullman did it, and I was curious if the movie could, too. I have to say I was a little disappointed, but I always like the books better. I will admit that the special effects are great and this is not a movie that will let parents take a nap. I would assume you have to listen carefully to every word if you have not read the books, and the battles and surprises just keep coming. The armored bear, the witches, and daemons were exactly what I expected, which was a real treat. I have to say that I think the casting in this movie is really great--Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter, Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua, Eva Green as Serafina Pekkala, and Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel were all what I expected after having read the book.

For those of you who do not know, the basic story is that a strong-willed 12-year-old girl brought up by academics tries to rescue a kidnapped friend in an artic laboratory. She winds up on an epic quest to save her world with the help of a variety of people and social groups, including a sky cowboy, an armored bear, witches, and kids! How fun is that?