[Paradox]

Until I read the mainstream reviews, I was considering taking my little kids to see this movie. Then I learned of the author’s militant atheism. I waffled. Then I read the reviews that say most of the anti-religious tone was not very readily apparent, because the movie was poorly done and disjointed. So I figured, the kids might still like the CGI animals, etc, the “Narnianess” of it. Then I read about some of the brutal fight scenes in it. So that did it, I probably will NOT take the kids to this movie, even if I think the atheism would go over their heads, I think the suckage of the movie, plus at least one graphically violent scene at the end, makes it a no-go.

[VOA]

Then I learned of the author’s militant atheism. I waffled.
Then I read the reviews that say most of the anti-religious tone
was not very readily apparent, because the movie was poorly done
and disjointed.

If the anti-religious tone is not readily apparent...
that's likely done ON PURPOSE.
So the general public (at least in the USA) will think it's
"This Holiday Season's 'Narnia'"
If "The Golden Compass" wasn't an stealth advance guard for evangelical atheism,
mainstream film critics would be dismissing it with a sniff and
mutttering "how derivative" as they gave it Two Thumbs Down.

"The Golden Compass" is a Trojan Horse, or more readily,
a "Cash Cow" that MUST succeed in order to get the $$$$$ from
boxoffice, thus allowing the Hollywood "greenlighting" of the
second film in the series.
Thus the clear atheistic themes in the source book by Pullman
HAD to go into hiding...at least to get $$$$$ to continue into
a series of films.

Pullman, the film-makers, actors/crew and the publishing houses
really need this to succeed financially.

[Phantom Lord]

I haven't read any reviews, but my wife likes these fantasy fiction type movies.

I have rules on what movies I will see. It has to have 2 of my 3 requirements. Nudity, adult language, and violence.

Does it meet my requirements?

[keats5]

You need to also look longer down the road. If your kids are readers, they will likely be intrigued by this movie and want to look into Pullman’s books. By the time they get to the third book in the series, where God is killed, the parents have lost the ability to but the genie back into the bottle. Frankly, most parents will be clueless, because parents rarely read children’s novels.

Many parents will just be thrilled their children are reading. But children shouldn’t read just anything for the sake of reading. No decent parent would allow their child to read pornographic novels, but they let their kids read atheism or paganism disguised as fantasy. Some ideas endanger children’s souls.

This is exactly like Satan works. He tempts with something beautiful and delightful, and then draws you gradually into deep evil. The Bible tells us Satan was created a beautiful magnificent angel. He’s a master at making things seem appealing and innocent.

[sinanju]

The sanitizing of the violence in the Narnia battle scenes and the brutality of the White Witch I found off-putting and cartoonish.

One of the most gripping scenes in the book was when the Witch came across the animals enjoying the feast Father Christmas laid out for them and sadistically turning them to stone. Edmund’s horror and pity at that moment seemed to mark the turning point in his moral redemption. It’s the first moment he ever starts to give a damn about anyone but himself.