Though much of its action takes place in the far north, "The Golden Compass" shares no relation to "Happy Feet," and the cute little creatures in "March of the Penguins" would get mauled by some of the ferocious beasts found within.

There is, in fact, little joy in "The Golden Compass," based on the first in Philip Pullman's popular "His Dark Materials" trilogy. Not that everything needs to be pretty and merry and kind in an adventure story intended for older, more mature children, and adults. Mostly missing in "The Golden Compass," though, is heart and emotion. It isn't easy getting on board with many of these characters, certainly not as easy as rooting for the young heroes in the Harry Potter crowd.

The film stars newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra, the young British girl who enjoys her life as a ward of a distinguished college, learning from the professors and scientists, and playing with her friends.

It becomes apparent that Lyra is intended for something special, though. After receiving a truth-seeking compass as a gift, Lyra finds herself on a mission to rescue children who may have been whisked away to a secret location by the so-called Magesterium, a governing body that apparently demands everyone think one way: their way.

As that ominous group seeks to halt Lyra's quest, hiring goons to do the dirty work, Lyra finds an unexpected mentor in the scientist and world traveler Marisa, played by Nicole Kidman, whose early support and encouragement for Lyra is soon overshadowed by Marisa's hidden dark agenda.

Lyra makes her escape, joining with rogue bands of dissenters, an out-of-place cowboy (Sam Elliott) and finally a ferocious talking ice bear, who becomes her protector, on her mission to find the missing children and defy the constraints of the Magesterium. This quest takes the characters from England to the icy far north, and numerous mystical and magical locales in-between, with talking animals and a variety of fantastical devices and inventions.

"The Golden Compass" is often a delight for the eyes, particularly those frozen-land scenes, but isn't all that interesting beyond that. Its audience for the filmed version of the story appears to be closer to the "Lord of the Rings" crowd, maybe a little younger, as periodic violence and despair take over.

Much has been made of the story's alleged anti-organized religion elements, but based only on this first film, it's difficult to identify that as an overriding theme. Rather, "The Golden Compass" plods mostly because the storytelling is minor and the special effects are given better play than the humanity. As the series continues, perhaps the two will find a meeting place in between.

C+

"The Golden Compass"

Starring: Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, Sam Elliott, Daniel Craig

Director: Chris Weitz

Studio: New Line Cinema

Rated: PG-13 (for sequences of fantasy violence)

RT: 114 minutes