“The Golden Compass” also gives Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, previously trapped in the awful “The Invasion” this year, to redeem themselves nicely. It turns out that they make a good onscreen couple after all, even though they’re really not onscreen together in “Compass.”

Kidman, in particular, is back to business, slithering around, having a grand time as Mrs. Coulter, the nominal villain in little Lyra’s bizarre world where everyone has a “daemon” or talking animal by their side that represents their personality.

The Golden Compass opens December 7th across the nation.