The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

[MilkOnTap]

Movie Review - 4 1/2 stars from me! ****

Whether you are a Christian or not, this film is fantastic. The effects, the animations, the costumes, the design, the music, the script (of course most of it is extracted from CS Lewis's original novel) it is all absolutely superb.

Definitely recommend it for a hot summer afternoon these holidays.


Best Wishes in the New Year,
Ally (aka, film critique)

[JellyBean06]

It was a bit slow or throttled in some places but overall very good. The girl who played Lucy was excellent! Never really considered it to be a 'Christian' movie or book series (the references of Adam and Eve and Father Christmas I just put down to CS Lewis writing for the era over 50 years ago!).

Belinda :)

[MilkOnTap]

The Chronicles of Narnia is based on Jesus life. Aslan is 'God', and he sacrificed himself for the sins of the world (ie, Edmond). He rose from the dead and won the battle.

CS Lewis 'padded' it up if you like. Fantastic story!

[JellyBean06]

Same could be said for Lord of the Rings......if you've read the Silmarilion.

[MilkOnTap]

No I haven't read it. Must do that.

[JellyBean06]

Possibly Tolkien's most boring book so be warned! But it also highlights similarities between modern theology and ancient theologies (esp the Norse, Egyptian and Greek traditions).

But more onto the movie.....I saw a few goofs (esp seeing Tumnus leaving human foot prints! der!). Apparently, all 7 books have been optioned for movies but I don't know what they are going to do - they've gone for the book release timeline as opposed to the chronological timeline of the actual story.

C.S Lewis's famous series of children's stories were published between 1950 and 1956, in the following order:

1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
2. Prince Caspian(1951)
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
4. The Silver Chair (1953)
5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
6. The Magicians Nephew(1955)
7. The Last Battle (1956)

All current editions of the books, however, number them in a slightly different order:

1. The Magicians Nephew
2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. The Horse and His Boy
4. Prince Caspian
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The Silver Chair
7. The Last Battle

This order reflects the chronological sequence of events in the books themselves. I'm interested to see how they will fit them together :D

[MilkOnTap]

Really? I had no idea that the chronological order was different to the published! Thats incredible! How does an author do that? Unreal.

I haven't read the series yet - but have been inspired to.

And no - I didn't notice the human footprints! I want to see it again though, so will keep my eyes out this time!!!

[JellyBean06]

Yeah happens a bit...Tolkien had the same problem....Silmarilion came out in the 1970's but is set way before even the Hobbit (1937). They have to go with whatever is popular and will sell books (esp LOTR being broken from one book into 3).

The other goof my DH noticed was Susan and Lucy when riding on Alsan change positions! I didn't see it :(

[Nickster]

I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie - it was always a fave of mine as a child. I'm pleased you girls enjoyed it - and that it translated well into film.

The band "Silverchair" took their name from one of the books in this series. Cool, huh?!

[JellyBean06]

Never thought about Silverchair the band and the book! It's a good movie for children if anyone is wondering. Not too much 'violence' (more suggested) and I thought the parts of the film representing WW2 were very well done.

Just be prepared if you're taking kids - it is over 2 hrs in length :D

[xkwzit]

DH and I saw it today and thought it was great. I really liked the battle scenes with all the different, fanciful creatures. Lucy was played excellently and most of it was exactly as I had pictured it when I read the books (about 20 odd years ago :eek: ). Although, I had alway pictured the white witch with black hair? I adored her sword work too and the polar bear drawn chariot - fantastic.

Cheers

[sugar n spice]

I watched the tv show when i was a kid and we are thinking of taking our 4yr old son to it on the weekend however i would like your opinion on wether it is suitable or scary for a 4yr old.:confused:

[JellyBean06]

Personally I think it would be suitable but be aware a lot of Adults are going so a Mums and Bubs session perhaps? The only bit which may be upsetting is Aslan dying (but he comes back)....young children may find death unsettling. Also, some of the fight scenes, although not hugely graphic, may also cause distress.

IMHO. Hope it helps :)

[Jaileth]

My sister (she's 20 years old) said is scared her! She didn't go into specifics, but said that quite a few things upset her about the movie. Mind you, I don't think she's read the series, so maybe she didn't know what to expect....:confused:

My dh loves the series - both the book and the 'original' movie/tv series. For those of you who have seen the original series, is this one as good? Or did it spoil it for you?

[JellyBean06]

I haven't seen the original series since I was a kid. It's hard to compare.....especially when the movie only covers the one book but the series, well, covers the series! I did always love the series though!

Preggers Brain kicking in! :D

[xkwzit]

Hi Rachel
I don't think it suitable for a 4 yo. It has a PG rating because of the implied violence (I think). Nothing too graphic, but you are absolutely aware of what is going on. Some small kiddie in our session was a bit distressed at the Aslan death scene. I have to admit I wasn't v sympathetic, it has an approriate rating and almost everyone has read the book - so they know what's in the film:confused:

Maybe check out a few more reviews before taking your 4yo along, maybe from someone who knows your kiddie (I know I would not take mine - but she doesn't like anything even remotely scary).

Cheers

[mum2four]

I really want to go see this, I read the books as a child and loved them. I hope the movie is better than the series though, I think my own imagination whilst reading the books was better than the series and the series was a let down for me:eek:

[sugar n spice]

thankyou jellybean06 and xkwzit. I much appreciated your opinons as my husband wants to take him but i don't think he should.

[charli06]

cool i will see it tomorrow, thanx hun!

[Elfin]

Having never read the chronicles of Narnia as a child, can someone give me a brief explanation. Are they a series or is the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the same as Narnia. I am a bit confused:confused:

[Ffrenchknickers]

I absolutely loved it as well:) Probably the best movie I have ever seen:D I love that CS Lewis based it on the story of salvation. He was most definately a Christian and he intended the story to be written as a way to share the story of Jesus with children. I heard something that he had written quoted on the radio the other day - something about unlockig the dragons that guard our hearts.

Did you know that CS Lewis and Tolkien were best friends?

[JellyBean06]

Lewis and Tolkien were a part of an Oxford group called 'The Inklings'.

Narnia is a flat world and refers to not only the world but the immediate country/area of Narnia (which you see in the film). The LWW is the second book in the series (chronologically). There are 7 books in total. In an earlier post I listed all of the books :)

[Tea Lady]

We're going to see the film tomorrow for our wedding anniversary (i'm not sure if it's very romantic or not, but we don't get out much at all, so I guess it is for us!) and I'm looking forward to it, but I'm a bit reluctant to "let go" of the pics in my imagination - nobody can beat Pauline Baynes (illustrator) in my opinion!

BTW I was named after the Lucy in the books - cool hey?

[Ffrenchknickers]

You were? Cool:D:cool:

[JellyBean06]

I think graphically it will meet your expectations - it did mine! :)

[Elfin]

Thanks Jellybean it makes a bit more sense now. I bought the kids a storybook based on the movie so hopefully that should abate my confusion:)

[Tea Lady]

They are THE BEST books to read aloud to your kids - you could give it a try and you'd all get to enjoy them. They were originally serialised on the radio (I think) and the chapters are just the right length for an after-dinner read and they always have a teaser at the end so you'll want to come back for more. Brilliant writing!

[illawarramumof2boys]

My Rating For This Movie Is A 5 *****.

I Went And Saw It This Morning With My 3.5 Year Old Son And He Loved It Too. The Aslan Scene Is The Only Part I Felt Was Upsetting For A Little One But I Explained That Aslan Comes Back To My Son And He Was Fine With It.

If You Haven't Seen It Already Go And See It. It's The Best Movie I've Seen In Ages And Is Ranked Im My Personal Top 5 Of All Time. Well Thats My Opinion Anyway.:)

[Tea Lady]

I loved the movie too (saw it last night). There are definitely some continuity issues and the animation wasn't impressive, but the acting was great and they left the story intact, which is the main thing. 4 1/2 stars from me :)