One could either look at this film as a dumbed-down version of the Pullman book, or a simplified version. I'm not sure I was a big enough fan of the book to consider it dumbed-down. It was definitely simplified and probably easier to follow for younger kids. I read the story summary on Wikipedia and even THAT wasn't easy to follow (although the film certainly makes it more clear that Dust equals original sin, even if they never call it that). I thought the young girl playing Lyra did a great job, showing the character's determination and wildness. Nicole Kidman was all right as Mrs. Coulter, James Bond is hardly in the movie as Lord Asriel, and all the Magisterium people are adequately creepy, with Count Dracula-Dooku-Saruman yet again cast as the big baddie. SFX were good, yay polar bears.
Ultimately I think I'm going to have to re-read the books, though. I remember thinking that the writing was much better than, say, the Harry Potter books, but reading those story summaries had me thinking "Is that really what happened? Jeez, what a mess!" Maybe if I read them again it'll sink in better. Oh, sorry, back to the movie. It was fine, I think Anna would really enjoy it. I wonder if it did well enough internationally to warrant the second and third films... I kind of think it didn't.
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