The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe 5/5 reviewed by Mike
This came out in theatres some time ago, obviously, but since it was recently released on DVD, and I had not yet officially reviewed it, I figured now would be a good time. As many of you have probably guessed, the Narnia stories are already something I hold dear.
I was first introduced to the magical world of Narnia through C.S. Lewis' masterful novels way back when I was just a small child. I still remember my dad giving his old worn paperbacks to me--the tattered, yellowed pages that had once held so much magic for him now transported me to a mystical world full of fascinating creatures, epic battles, honorable heroes, and a strange and powerful lion who looks and acts the way I always wished Jesus would act--instead of the wimpy Jesus often sold in sunday school...
That said, it was really cool that I saw this movie with my dad, it was like both of us were transported back to that time when we were kids, experiencing this magical land for the first time, still just as awestruck by it. But there's a lot more reasons than nostalgia for giving this movie the perfect score of 5 out of 5.
First, a brief plot summary for those out of the loop, based on the novels by C.S. Lewis, this being the first of seven: During WWII, a gorup of four British children are sent out of harms way, into the countryside and into the spacious house of a mysterious "Proffessor." In the professors house is a strange wardrobe, that, when the children enter it, transports them to a land called "Narnia," a fantasy land populated by fawns, Minotaurs, centaurs, and talking animals of all kinds. The children become caught up in an epic battle against the evil White Queen, who has magically made it be winter for 100 years, but never christmas. Leading the side of light is Aslan, a great and powerful lion, whose roar shakes the heavens.
First, here's what the movie does better than the book: Characterization. As much as I love Lewis' writing, lets face it, he's not really one to build up deeply layered characters. The movie makes up for this in spades. You really get to know each of the children. I'm especially drawn to Peter, who wishes he was fighting in the war with his father, but instead is shipped off to the country where he can't be a part of anything. He longs for a battle to fight, a cause to champion, and it is denied him--until Aslan, of course. The relationships between the siblings are slightly predictable, only because they are so true-to-life. They always feel authentic and real, never fake or prescribed. The kids also do a great job of acting.
What the movie can't do that the book can, is enter the thoughts of the characters. Some of the most moving parts of the novels was where a sentence would begin to the effect of, "When Lucy looked into Aslan's eyes, she felt blah blah blah." As great a job as the effects team does, these powerful scenes are only left to the viewers imagination. The actors all do a great job, and even Aslan's CGI expressions do a great job, but you can't get the specificness of emotion that Lewis creates in those intimate moments.
As far as execution, the film is nearly flawless. The pacing is great, cinematography is very well done, music is nearly perfect, action scenes are wonderfully executed, and the sense of humor always keeps you going. The myriad of creatures and animals extremely well done, they never seem cheesy, or even repetetive. My only technical complaint is that there are 3 or 4 really bad "green screen" moments.
Despite the few flaws that are there, this movie does something powerful--it stirs hope in me. I feel like the Beaver who, about a third of the way into the film, gets all excited, gets everyone's attention, and intensely says, "Aslan is on the move!" It reminds me that our lives are part of a grand epic story, something that even the coolness of Narnia is only a shadow of. It reminds me that our world is messed up, and broken, but Aslan's (and what Aslan represents) work it in has only just begun, and eventually he will come bounding back into it, roaring his mighty roar--for his love is strong, and violent--his is a love that cost him his life, and it changes ours from the inside out, and all of us are caught up in the epic and glorious story of sacrifice, forgiveness, redemption, glory, and honor that this movie so greatly portrays.
"After all, he's not a tame lion,"
"No. But he's good."
See this movie if:
-You want to escape to a world of fantasy
-Life has beaten you down, and you need to remember what it is to live again
-You view God as a weak pansy, or a meddlesome jerk
Don't see this movie if:
-You really hate fantasy stuff, and you don't like imagination
-You've never been a child
-You're actually blind, in which case, try to find a braille copy of the novel
I was first introduced to the magical world of Narnia through C.S. Lewis' masterful novels way back when I was just a small child. I still remember my dad giving his old worn paperbacks to me--the tattered, yellowed pages that had once held so much magic for him now transported me to a mystical world full of fascinating creatures, epic battles, honorable heroes, and a strange and powerful lion who looks and acts the way I always wished Jesus would act--instead of the wimpy Jesus often sold in sunday school...
That said, it was really cool that I saw this movie with my dad, it was like both of us were transported back to that time when we were kids, experiencing this magical land for the first time, still just as awestruck by it. But there's a lot more reasons than nostalgia for giving this movie the perfect score of 5 out of 5.
First, a brief plot summary for those out of the loop, based on the novels by C.S. Lewis, this being the first of seven: During WWII, a gorup of four British children are sent out of harms way, into the countryside and into the spacious house of a mysterious "Proffessor." In the professors house is a strange wardrobe, that, when the children enter it, transports them to a land called "Narnia," a fantasy land populated by fawns, Minotaurs, centaurs, and talking animals of all kinds. The children become caught up in an epic battle against the evil White Queen, who has magically made it be winter for 100 years, but never christmas. Leading the side of light is Aslan, a great and powerful lion, whose roar shakes the heavens.
First, here's what the movie does better than the book: Characterization. As much as I love Lewis' writing, lets face it, he's not really one to build up deeply layered characters. The movie makes up for this in spades. You really get to know each of the children. I'm especially drawn to Peter, who wishes he was fighting in the war with his father, but instead is shipped off to the country where he can't be a part of anything. He longs for a battle to fight, a cause to champion, and it is denied him--until Aslan, of course. The relationships between the siblings are slightly predictable, only because they are so true-to-life. They always feel authentic and real, never fake or prescribed. The kids also do a great job of acting.
What the movie can't do that the book can, is enter the thoughts of the characters. Some of the most moving parts of the novels was where a sentence would begin to the effect of, "When Lucy looked into Aslan's eyes, she felt blah blah blah." As great a job as the effects team does, these powerful scenes are only left to the viewers imagination. The actors all do a great job, and even Aslan's CGI expressions do a great job, but you can't get the specificness of emotion that Lewis creates in those intimate moments.
As far as execution, the film is nearly flawless. The pacing is great, cinematography is very well done, music is nearly perfect, action scenes are wonderfully executed, and the sense of humor always keeps you going. The myriad of creatures and animals extremely well done, they never seem cheesy, or even repetetive. My only technical complaint is that there are 3 or 4 really bad "green screen" moments.
Despite the few flaws that are there, this movie does something powerful--it stirs hope in me. I feel like the Beaver who, about a third of the way into the film, gets all excited, gets everyone's attention, and intensely says, "Aslan is on the move!" It reminds me that our lives are part of a grand epic story, something that even the coolness of Narnia is only a shadow of. It reminds me that our world is messed up, and broken, but Aslan's (and what Aslan represents) work it in has only just begun, and eventually he will come bounding back into it, roaring his mighty roar--for his love is strong, and violent--his is a love that cost him his life, and it changes ours from the inside out, and all of us are caught up in the epic and glorious story of sacrifice, forgiveness, redemption, glory, and honor that this movie so greatly portrays.
"After all, he's not a tame lion,"
"No. But he's good."
See this movie if:
-You want to escape to a world of fantasy
-Life has beaten you down, and you need to remember what it is to live again
-You view God as a weak pansy, or a meddlesome jerk
Don't see this movie if:
-You really hate fantasy stuff, and you don't like imagination
-You've never been a child
-You're actually blind, in which case, try to find a braille copy of the novel
posted by Hankinstien at 1:27 AM
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