Always Right Movie Review'dustries

I have to admit that my interest in this movie was piqued due to all the supposed religious controversy surrounding the movie. However, after seeing The Golden Compass, it became clear to me that all the controversy in the world wouldn't be enough to save this sorry mess. The story was muddled, plodding, and nonsensical. Even the controversy was completely overblown. Sure, the ruling group in the film (the Magisterium) uses the term "heresy", but that's about the extent of the commonality with religion that I was able to pick out. (And seriously, how often do churches use the term "heresy" anymore?) To be honest, I question whether all the controversy was drummed up on purpose to try to generate interest in an ultimately disappointing and poorly produced movie.

Apparently, lots of churches in the United States have been sending out letters to their congregations urging them to boycott this movie. I think it would have been much more effective to do nothing, because then the movie would be judged on its own (rather lacking) merits, rather than some over-hyped, virtually non-existent "controversial religious themes".

My rating: Slaughtered. Trust me - The Lord of the Rings slaughters this movie.