As the Harry Potter cinematic juggernaut heads towards closure, other children's series are vying to take up the slack. Based on the Philip Pullman trilogy His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass stars an orphaned girl with unusual powers who must go through a series of trials, helped by supernatural forces.

Other film franchises echoed here include The Lord Of The Rings and Star Wars and only show up The Golden Compass's weaknesses. Despite a cast of top British talent, it lacks the magic, with a clunky script, odd lack of pace and Nicole Kidman as a whispering fashion plate.