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For several years, fantasy films were MIA, except the occasional hack job. Then "Lord of the Rings" came and went, leaving some pretty big shoes to fill, as far as fantasy films go. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" doesn't quite fit the shoes, but it comes a lot closer than any other movie has. In Andrew Adamson's adaptation, C.S. Lewis's classic fantasy novel comes alive with remarkable fidelity, sparkling special effects, and some truly excellent acting by almost everyone concerned. If "Lord of the Rings" was stern older brother Peter, then this movie is Lucy -- bright, swift and thoroughly charming. With WW II raging, the four Pevensie children are sent to the countryside, at an eccentric professor's mansion. But during a game of hide-and-seek, little Lucy (Georgie Henley) hides inside a wardrobe -- and stumbles into a wintry wilderness, with a faun she befriends. Alas, her brothers and sisters don't believe her -- but they don't know that Edmund (Skandar Keynes) has also gone through, and befriended a sinister, beautiful Witch (Tilda Swinton). Eventually all four end up going through the wardrobe, but but they soon find that the Witch is hunting for them, in fear that they will fulfil an ancient prophecy. But Edmund has run off to join the Witch. And so the remaining three must join up with Aslan (Liam Neeson), the leonine god-king of Narnia. But the price for victory against the Witch may be too high. Since "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" is labelled both a kids' book and a Christian fantasy, it's easy to get put off by the description of it. Don't be. Director Andrew Adamson ("Shrek" and "Shrek 2") has obviously given this his whole heart and soul, and it has the right mixture of majesty and humor that a film like this needed. And Adamson does a spectacular job. The the taut race across a frozen river, the bombing of London, tea with the faun Tumnus, and even the cameo by Father Christmas (who gets a medieval makeover) -- all of these come to life with remarkable skill and grace, but with respect for its audience's intelligence. The make-or-break scene is Aslan stalking to the stone table, and the horrifying sacrifice scene that follows does justice to Lewis' novel. But Adamson doesn't let it get overinflated on its own ego. When Edmund tells his horse, "Whoa, boy!" it retorts peevishly, "My NAME is Philip!"; elsewhere, the beavers snipe at each other like an old married couple. Those moments of lightness -- and giving Aslan a sense of humor -- keep the film from seeming self-conscious. And of course, the special effects. WETA workship deserves an award (it's been nominated for a few) for the amazing CGI, ranging from goat-legged Tumnus to the lion Aslan, who looks almost real. They are especially good in battle scenes, which are startlingly savage and brutal, but filled with outstanding moments, such as a centaur leaping over the Witch and nearly beheading her. Young Georgie Henley is probably the most capable actress here, conveying misery, awe, delight, childish glee and sorrow. All this from a small child, when a lot of adult actors can't manage that much. Skandar Keynes and Anna Popplewell turn in good performances as Edmund and Susan. Swinton and William Moseley (Peter) start off rather woodenly, but they both blossom when the four arrive in Narnia. And stay for the credits for an extra surprise...Read full review
This was just like having a front seat at a great Broadway play. As much as I loved the graphics from the recent movie of "The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe DVD" I was utterly entranced by this version; maybe the great graphics from the movie version took away some from the story line for me .... if you have a widescreen televison it would be even better! The only thing that got to me a little was the use of a few "cartoon type graphics" but then again - its not bothered me enough evidently, since I've watched it 3 times since I got it! :P Its DEFINETLY on my "DON'T LOAN THIS MOVIE OUT LIST"!! the actors are in great form and really semmed to be having a wonderful time working to bring this to life Emer9
I love CS Lewis, really like the fact that even though it would be wonderful that war was not necessary, the lesson is that anything worthwhile is worth fighting for, and once done then forgiveness is the end result, and therefore peace for a time. He shows cooperation between different peoples, and shows that just because we are different doesn't mean that different is bad, sometimes those that look the same are the ones we need to look for.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I remember watching this series in the early 90's, I loved this show so much, I ordered this for my movie collection. The series make a good show for family and friends to watch with you, thank you for a good classic series.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I saw this version, from the BBC and PBS television's WonderWorks series, first. Later, I saw the Hollywood version. The latter had big-budget set designs, sparkling cinematography, impressive computer-generated images (especially of Aslan) and huge battle scenes. The BBC version was a more modest production but one that gives a more intimate reading of the story. Serious fans of C. S. Lewis will appreciate that the BBC followed the book's text exactly as Lewis wrote it (except for the omission of one sentence). My only complaint is that the White Witch, here, is not as convincingly evil as in the Hollywood version, but maybe that is because this one had a younger audience in mind.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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