Prepare to enter another world when Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media present C.S. Lewis' timeless and beloved adventure. With the stunningly realistic special effects, you'll experience the exploits of Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter, four siblings who find the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of "hide-and-seek" at the country estate of a mysterious profe
C.S. Lewis's classic novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe makes an ambitious and long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technology can conjure, which is fine so long as the film stays true to the story that Lewis wrote. And while this film is not a literal translation--it really wants to be so much more than just a kids' movie--for the most part it is faithful enough to the story, and whatever faults it has are happily faults of overreaching, and not of holding back. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe tells the story of the four Pevensie children, Lucy, Peter, Edmund, and Susan, and their adventures in the mystical world of Narnia. Sent to the British countryside for their own safety during the blitz of World War II, they discover an entryway into a mystical world through an old wardrobe. Narnia is inhabited by mythical, anthropomorphic creatures suffering under the hundred-year rule of the cruel White Witch (Tilda Swinton, in a standout role). The arrival of the children gives the creatures of Narnia hope for liberation, and all are dragged into the inevitable conflict between evil (the Witch) and good (Aslan the Lion, the Messiah figure, regally voiced by Liam Neeson).
Director (and co-screenwriter) Andrew Adamson, a veteran of the Shrek franchise, knows his way around a fantasy-based adventure story, and he wisely keeps the story moving when it could easily become bogged down and tiresome. Narnia is, of course, a Christian allegory and the symbology is definitely there (as it should be, otherwise it wouldn't be the story Lewis wrote), but audiences aren't knocked over the head with it, and in the hands of another director it could easily have become pedantic. The focus is squarely on the children and their adventures. The four young actors are respectable in their roles, especially considering the size of the project put on their shoulders, but it's the young Georgie Henley as the curious Lucy who stands out. This isn't a film that wildly succeeds, and in the long run it won't have the same impact as the Harry Potter franchise, but it is well done, and kids will get swept up in the adventure. Note: Narnia does contain battle scenes that some parents may consider too violent for younger children. --Dan Vancini Stills from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Click for larger image)
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
outstanding:
I grew up the Chronicles Of Narnia, and I loved the ones done by the BBC, these are still really good, they just didn't take the time to build the story. I thought it was a little rushed to get to the action sequences, don't get me wrong I love the action, but it just felt...rushed.
The Wonderful Tale of Narnia:
A snow covered fairy land bound by an evil white witch. A timid fawn carrying an umbrella. Talking beavers and other friendly animals. Tales of a great lion call Aslan who can make all things right. Four children step through an old wardrobe and stumble upon this new and mysterious world where their destiny is suddenly thrust upon them, as it quickly becomes their job to not only help save Narnia, but one of their own as well. Based upon the all time classic by C.S. Lewis, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The... more info
Great Movie - Rediscover Moral Fairy Tales:
I was skeptical but was very pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this to anyone from 4 to 1004!
Almost great:
The book is a 5 star out of 5 story. The movie almost gets there. It's visually stunning however I feel that the characters of Peter & Susan don't have much warmth. A bit too much complaining on their part in contrast to the heroic characters on Aslan's side.
