"We haven't had a Christmas in one hundred years."
This film will be a treat for the entire family this Christmas time. Some pictures can wait to be seen on the small
screen spinning around in your DVD player, but not this one. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe deserves to be seen on the largest screen you can find. The film is rich in story, action and beautiful
special effects that will thrill children and adults alike. The creatures from the book are brought to life so
beautifully that you will forget that they are beings of mythology. When you see Aslan, the mighty Lion, voiced by
Liam Neeson you notice that it looks like a real lion; when you first see James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus, the
Faun, you think that you are just seeing a little guy who is simply in makeup until you see the full figure walk on
goat like legs. Yes, CGI graphics can remove your real legs and change them to that of your favourite pet, on film
anyway. As well, you will leave the theatre believing a man can fly...oops..that's next year...you will believe a beaver
or two can carry on conversations. The beavers look so real that the next time you visit a zoo they may try to carry on
a conversation with the furry little dam builders.
"This place is huge. We can do whatever we want."
"We could play hide and seek."
I am pretty sure that we can thank Peter Jackson as being responsible for this film materializing on the big screen. His
LORD OF THE RING TRILOGY definitely paved the way for The Chronicles of Narnia to materialize on the
silver screen. For those of you who will try to compare the two efforts, please don't bother, it is a waste of time.
The Chronicles of Narnia is not of the same scope as the The Ring Trilogy and to compare them is doing
both a disservice.
Certainly, J.R.R. Tolkien, would not appreciate the comparisons as he disliked Lewis's first book, just as Lewis
disliked the The Lord of The Rings. Even though the two hung out together and used to be drinking buddies, Tolkien did
not like the elements in the book. He thought they clashed as he did not think a Father Christmas figure, an evil
witch, talking animals and children should be in the same story; luckily for millions of readers, Lewis ignored the
comments. The Chronicles of Narnia is a much more simple film that does not need a translator to understand after
all it is based on a series of children's books.
"Welcome, Peter, son of Adam...and to you daughter of Eve....but where is the fourth?"
During his lifetime, Lewis refused to allow the books to be turned into any type of film as he did not think that the
films could do justice to the characters that he had created. He believed the animals would "turn into buffoonery or
nightmare". This is understandable, of course, considering the effects of the time. I am certain he would be happy with
the effects of today and be proud of the film version. Though the battle sequences are not of Jackson's caliber, they
still are spectacular, as are the creatures Lewis envisioned in his novels.
"He's a beaver; he shouldn't be saying anything."
During the battle sequences you will be witnesses to great mythological creatures battling for the world of Narnia.
There is the Phoenix, the Gryphons, Minatours, Satyrs, Fauns, Centaurs, Leopards, Ogres, Cyclops, Talking Wolves,
Talking Foxes, Dwarves, Giant Hawks and even Polar Bears. Amongst all these is a massive Lion, a White Witch, Talking
Beavers and four brave children all fighting for their lives and the freedom of the land of Narnia.
"If it's a war Aslan wants, it's a war he shall get."
The film not only has action but thanks to some of the antics of some of the animals it also has humour. Parents should
be warned, though, that this film is far from a comedy and light fare. It has plenty of violence and violent scenes that
can scare the smaller set. When I say this, I sometimes think I should write it tongue in cheek, since what we as
adults believe might be terrifying, for young children may actually make them laugh. Violence is not the same for our
children as it was for us adults, I'm afraid. Heck, I used to be terrified of slow moving mummies that came to life and
limped along with one arm extended trying to strangle their victims. Still fore-warned is fore-armed.
"I've been riding one of these longer than the witch."
One good thing about this Christmas season is that we will be able to attend lots of comedies, fantasy movies such as
Hoodwinked and King Kong instead of political thrillers, vicious horror movies as in some years past. Yes,
I'm one of those people who only want to see fluff during the month of December. During this season I want to laugh and
feel thrilled with things that I do not have to take to seriously. I want to be entertained and not preached to. I do
not want to see the horrors of the real world, I want things to make me feel good and give me hope after all, it is the
season to be jolly and isn't that what Santa Claus is for, right. So, parents, take the kids to see all the movies that
are meant for the family because you know what, if you don't go, there are all these Hollywood bean counters who will
say why bother making family films, families don't go. Next thing you know we will get political thrillers, murder
mysteries and Jason slicing and dicing good ol' Santa Claus as Christmas season movies. Yup we really need that don't
we?
"Are you with me?"
"To the death."
So now once again I step back off the soapbox to give you a brief outline of the story. The four Pevensie children are
sent to the home of Professor Digory Kirke (Jim Broadbent) in the country village of Gombe Halt. It is here that
the four young children Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan step into a mysterious wardrobe and close the door behind them.
As the four step back into the wardrobe they suddenly find themselves in a beautiful world blanketed in clean white
snow. Here they meet many mysterious characters and situations fraught with danger.
"The river has been frozen for one hundred years."
"It's so far."
"It's the world dear, did you expect it to be small?
Lucy (Georgie Henley) is the first to come into contact with one of Narnia's citizens, a faun by the name of Mr.
Tumnus. Edmund has the unfortunate luck of coming into contact with Jadis, the White Witch played by Tilda
Swinton. She easily corrupts the young lad who then goes missing. Peter, the oldest leads Susan and Lucy in search
of Edmund (Skandar Keynes). Peter (William Moseley meets up with a talking beaver and his wife who offer
to help the three of them.
The beavers realize that this young trio is the prophesied humans who are meant to save Narnia, but first they must
keep alive them alive and away from the evil clutches of Jadis, the White Witch and get then to Aslan, the Lion. Aslan
Are Jadis' greatest enemy and the only one who has given hope to the people of the snow bound land.
"These are tools; not toys. Use them wisely."
You see the prophecies say that when Adam's flesh and Adam's bone arrive, the evil will be defeated by them and return
Narnia back to the beautiful land it once was. Aslan the Lion has raised an army of mythological creatures to help the
children battle the forces of Jadis. The journey to reach Aslan is treacherous indeed as they are attacked by the
Witch's talking wolves and other creatures of myth.
"We can't go to war without you."
Along the way they are rescued by Father Christmas riding his sleigh. He tells them the story of Narnia and their role
in it's survival. Before leaving them he gives each of them a gift to help them in their upcoming battle. To Peter, he
gives a beautiful thick sword. Lucy receives a vial of liquid and is told she will know when to use it. Susan played by
Anna Popplewell receives a bow with arrows that she must master so she will be ready when she is needed. He
warns them that these are tools and not toys, so use them wisely. His last instruction is to cross a frozen river and to
hurry as winter is almost over.
"It is time. From here I must go on alone. You must trust me. Thank you Susan; thank you Lucy and
farewell."
The river and ice sequence is amazing and you will love the action and suspense. Father Christmas was correct as winter
quickly comes to an end; the blossoms begin to appear on the trees and the fields once again become blankets of green.
Things are far from over and the war is yet to begin. When the battle finally arrives the four children will perform
admirably and yes they will each use the gifts given to them along the way. Who survives? Who dies? If you have read the
books you already know. If you haven't, then sit back and enjoy the revelations.
"You know Aslan, I'm a little disappointed in you."
Director Andrew Adamson does a wonderful job of showing us noble sacrifice, battles, and amazing creatures as the
story progresses to the inevitable battle royale between the forces of darkness and light. Adamson, an ardent fan of the
Narnia books, has given the audience a wonderful film with spectacular effects. The battle is beautifully staged and
will not disappoint. One hundred million readers have their own interpretation of the stories in their heads. Will
Adamson's imagination meets their qualification? I believe it will. Let's hope those readers see it the same way I do and
help make the film a success.
"I have no interest in prisoners. Kill them all."
Make no mistake, Narnia's huge budget of $150 million appears up there on screen. Director Adamson and Cinematographer
Donald McAlpine gives us everything from the gorgeous CGI Creatures to the beautiful expansive vistas. Everything is
glorious and lush, shiny and beautiful. Only the soundtrack seemed to be lacking in power. Adamson, who was responsible
for the SHREK movies, treats the work of C.S Lewis with respect and gets a strong performance from all the cast.
"Once a queen and king of Narnia, always a king and queen."
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was released in 1950 and Lewis quickly wrote 6 more Narnia books. The
final one was called, The Last Battle, and released in 1956. Not well received at first by critics and reviewers,
the books did manage to gain an incredible popularity through word of mouth. Lewis died on November 22, 1963;
overshadowed the same day by the assassination of President Kennedy. Lewis' death was only quietly noted.
"I don't think you'll get back in that way. You see I've already tried."
The Narnia books have since sold more than 100 million copies and are still among the most beloved books of classic
children's literature. Like the books, the movie THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
will also do incredibly well by word of mouth and will become a children's movie classic that will beg for the sequels
to be made. Here's hoping that the next book will be put to film soon. If Lewis can see this production from where ever
he is now, I hope he is proud to have his name on it. I know I enjoyed the movie and I think you will as well. Okay now,
pass the popcorn, I have more movies to see.
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