THE GOLDEN COMPASS (2008). This has potential, but the film just seems crammed with situations that really don't resonate or make You care. Have heard it's based on a trilogy and trying to get that in under two hours doesn't bode well, although the ending is left open for a sequel. Decent enough CGI (quite a bit of LORD OF THE RINGS/GAME OF THRONES situations) and nice to see Christopher Lee, Claire Higgins (HELLRAISER), Sam Elliot (FROGS) and Jim Clark (Carson on DOWNTON ABBEY
!). **1/2