This review comes from someone who wasn’t familiar with The Golden Compass (2007) or the books it’s based on, and that’s fine because the series doesn’t seem to require prior knowledge. It manages to stand on its own, even if the beginning has a few rough spots. I won't reveal any plot points that weren't already shown in the trailers. The cast is exceptional; there's no denying that. Dafne Keen delivers a wonderful performance as Lyra Belacqua, capturing both the innocence of a young girl and the determination she needs to display. She really drives the story forward on her journey, which includes plenty of adventures enhanced by increasingly impressive visual effects. I’ve enjoyed her previous work, and I'm impressed with her here too. James McAvoy is an actor I consistently admire, and he deserves more recognition. Although his role as Lord Asriel has limited screen time (a deliberate choice by HBO to attract viewers), he’s essential in the first episode where a lot of background information needs to be conveyed. What could have been an overwhelming introduction actually works well, laying out some key concepts and rules for this world. However, don't assume that Lord Asriel is just a minor character; he remains important throughout the season. The supporting cast also shines. Lin-Manuel Miranda (as Lee Scoresby) provides some welcome moments of humor to offset the more dramatic scenes. The voice acting for the daemons is excellent across the board. But Ruth Wilson truly stands out as Marisa Coulter, delivering a remarkable performance that I wouldn’t be surprised to see nominated for an award. Her expressions and movements perfectly mirror those of her daemon—it's a detail that some might miss but she clearly commits fully to her role. As expected from an HBO production, the show looks fantastic overall. The visual effects aren’t perfect right away; the initial episodes have noticeable green screen, particularly in establishing shots. However, there’s a clear improvement starting with the fourth episode, and the CGI becomes significantly better. The daemons are consistently well-rendered, though their presence is initially somewhat restrained. Once Lyra's journey progresses, the landscapes and sets look beautiful, complemented by strong cinematography. And of course, the bears are visually stunning. Lorne Balfe’s main theme is lovely, but his score elevates the series even further; I find myself wanting to listen to it repeatedly. He’s an artist whose work I appreciate, and this soundtrack is another success. I do have some reservations about the season though. The biggest issue is a subplot that feels disconnected from the main story—like watching a different show with different characters. While I expect these narratives will eventually converge, they don't come together by the end of this first season, which disrupts the series’ rhythm. This unevenness affects the pacing. The slow pace works well when it allows for character development, but it becomes even slower when shifting to that separate storyline. It doesn’t add much entertainment value or advance the plot effectively. I hope the next season will see these two narratives start to merge, something I anticipated before the finale. Additionally, the visual effects are weak in the early episodes. It takes until the fourth episode for the story to really take off, which might discourage some viewers. But it’s worth sticking with; once the main plot finds its footing, it's hard to stop watching. Each episode improves on the last, leading to a surprising finale packed with memorable moments from the entire season. Overall, His Dark Materials has the potential to become one of HBO’s biggest hits. If handled correctly, it could lead the way in television series. It features a truly captivating story, gorgeous visuals (even if they aren't flawless at first), impressive set design and Lorne Balfe’s wonderful score—all thanks to strong direction and Jack Thorne’s writing. However, Thorne’s attempt to balance the main plot with an overly distinct side story disrupts the series' momentum and creates inconsistent pacing. Fortunately, a talented cast led by Dafne Keen and Ruth Wilson manages to keep the show afloat. It’s promising so far, but I’ll wait until next season to see if the alethiometer can solve this one’s problems. Rating: B

Source on TMDB