Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Everything
Cons: It ended
The Bottom Line:
High expectations
And this movie met them all
Narnia is real!Confessions of a Narnia Fanatic
Ever since I first discovered Narnia in the third grade, I
have loved this series of seven novels. While I have read through the series
several times, this book remains my favorite and I have read it more then any
other.
Naturally, when I first heard about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I was
excited. I tried to keep a healthy skepticism about me since so very few movies
live up to their books, but I couldn't help it. I was counting the days until I
got to see this. And I was not disappointed in the least.
Sticking fairly closely to the book, the story follows four
siblings. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are sent to the countryside to live
with a professor while the Germans bomb London
during World War II. While playing hide and seek one day, Lucy (Georgie Henley)
hides in a wardrobe, only to find herself in a winter landscape. Exploring a
little more, she meets a faun named Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy). After serving
her tea, he confesses his desire to turn her over to the evil White Witch
(Tilda Swinton). The White Witch has turned his country of Narnia into a
constant winter with no Christmas.
Naturally, her siblings don't believe a word Lucy says when
she returns. A second trip with Edmund in tow doesn't help things. But when all
four of them wind up in Narnia, they find themselves caught in an epic battle
between good and evil where they are prophesied to free Narnia from the White
Witch's reign with the help of the great lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson). But
even if they can survive treachery in their own ranks, can four children really
free Narnia?
The movie expertly captures the spirit of the book while
making lots of changes. Those familiar with the original story will certainly
notice a few changes already (hide and seek was the excuse the second time Lucy
went, not the first), but these changes enhance the movie. This is especially
true in the middle third. The trip from the Beaver's house to meet Aslan was
much more harrowing in the movie and Edmund gets some extra scenes never
dreamed of for the book. The changes were actually necessary to make the story
work for the movie. Most of them help establish the changes the characters are
going through, which is handled in the narration of the book. Obviously, that
isn't an option for the movie.
As I said, these changes didn't bother me in the least. I
was so caught up in the story I didn't care. The kids do an absolutely amazing
job with the acting, especially since they are doing lots of acting to effects
that won't be there until much later. Georgie Henley, the youngest as Lucy,
especially does a good job, which is important since Lucy has to carry so much
of the early story by herself. I was also quite satisfied with Aslan's voice.
Liam Neeson brings the right mix of majesty with reality to the role. And Tilda
Swinton's White Witch is equal parts creepy and evil without being over the
top.
The effects were amazing as well. This movie could not have
been made 5 years ago. While a few of the creatures might look a little fake to
some, I want to know where they found the talking beasts. And the scenery,
taken from locations all over the world but mostly New Zealand , was beautiful as well.
Even though the movie is rated PG, parents will want to take
the rating seriously. There are several intense moments, especially the opening
of London being
bombed and the final battle. In keeping with the PG rating, the final battle is
(thankfully) blood free, but it might be too intense for kids. Only you can
judge for your family.
Every hope I had for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was met or exceeded. I hope
they do all seven of the books. In the meantime, I can not wait to see this one
again.
This is one of my favourite movies.
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