Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is one of the most enjoyable films of 2005. Growing up in a Christian household I could notice the similarities that this had with the Bible, some big and some small. As Lucy and Susan are called the daughters of Eve, so are Peter and Edmund called the sons of Adam. I have never read any of the Chronicles of Narnia books; I have only looked them over.

I never had an interest in seeing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe like I had for any of the Harry Potter films. But sometimes we critics have to see all we can, even if a film strikes us as uninteresting. Sometimes the risks you take pay off and some times they don’t. In the case of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe I can say that it was well worth my eight dollars and my time for watching the film and writing this review.

 

Smarts

85%

C.S. Lewis, like JRR Tolkien, is one of few flawless fantasy writers ever to walk God’s green earth. I may not have read Lewis’ Narnia books but I have read some of his others. If The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe film stayed true to the ‘endless classic’ of a book then it is a film that should be seen by many around the world. The 2005 year is coming to a close and few films have been so entertaining as Narnia, though it does feel like it goes on a bit too long.

As four children are sent away to the country to be safe from the war in the 1940s, Lucy, the youngest, discovers a magical wardrobe in the house, which leads to a whole other world. The ideas are endless for what Lewis could have done with an idea like this. He chose a story of courage, brotherhood, and fear. As the story develops the few people that the children meet know who they are, as they are prophecized to defeat the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton) and end her wintry reign over the land.

The acting by the four children in the film is not nearly as good as the kids in the Harry Potter films but not nearly as bad as the horrendous Jake Lloyd in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. If I had to choose my favorite actor or actress out of the bunch I would choose Georgie Henley who played Lucy. She was amusing to watch on screen seeing as how adorable she is. I also loved watching Tilda Swinton. She really conveys the fact that her character is one cold-hearted b-i-t-c-h. For some odd reason I felt that the first time Edmund and the White Witch meet that there was some sexual tension, perhaps. Skandar Keynes (Edmund) is the one kid out of the whole lot that is the most annoying. Every time the Witch decides she is going to kill something or someone because of Edmund such as Mr. Tumnus the faun or the the Fox voiced by Rupert Everett he gives out the location of his siblings or what they are going to do to the Witch if she doesn't catch them. Lastly, I also enjoyed Jim Broadbent as the Professor for the small scenes he plays a part in.

Some of the biggest acting parts in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe are voice-overs for the many animals in the film, though. My particular favorites are the menacing wolf that has sided with the White Witch voiced by Sim Evan-Jones. There is also the Gryphon voiced by Cameron Rhodes who gives his character a sense of bravery as he flies to Peter giving him the news of the opposing army near the end of the film. For months fans were speculating who would be voicing Aslan, one of the most important characters in the film and book. Would it be Brian Cox? After many months of waiting the public finally dixovered that it would be Liam Neeson of Schindler’s List. Surprisingly Aslan is not in the film for more than a quarter of its runtime, but it seems that Disney picked a good actor to voice one of the most pivotal characters in the story.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the film are the unbelievable sets. The White Witch’s ice castle is absolutely amazing to behold. As Edmund finds the Witch’s throne you can hear the ice crackling as he sits down. Combined with the final battle set and Mr. Tumnus' house, it speaks of a dedicated and talented group of set and production designers and location scouts.

The The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe soundtrack is the best I have heard from 2005. As all four kids go through the wardrobe to Narnia the music that plays with it enhances the breathtaking nature of the childrens' discovery. Composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, the music gives the movie a feeling of good things to come, but also contains fearful pieces as dark events transpire which is displayed smartly throughout the two hour and twenty minute film.

 

Popcorn

78%

The ending battle in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe feels like it goes on for a very long time as we cut from the chaos of battle to other goings-on with Lucy, Susan, and Aslan. When doing this, though, the film stays steady and serves up the right amount of action and compassion as you see Aslan return for one more battle.

About three quarters through the film Aslan makes an agreement with the Witch saying that he will give his life for Edmund's. The tension after Aslan is killed is phenomenal. I really did not know what was going to happen afterward and was genuinely pleased with the results.  As the film progresses you are enabled to see how powerful this talking lion truly is.

Disney is one of the biggest companies to dish out children’s films that are an action-drama but they always find some way to put comedy in. In The Lion, theWitch, and the Wardrobe this is done (how could it not be) with characters like Mr. and Mrs. Beaver but the humor is not forced or overwrought like many other films of this nature.

I loved seeing that in the beginning of the film no one believed Lucy as she told them about this magical place, but as the others get involved in the world they find out that everyone’s lives in that world revolves around the four children. You can see all the children develop through the film, most notably Edmund as he learns harsh lessons from the White Witch and gains forgiveness from his siblings and Aslan.

 

Final

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is one of the most pleasing films I have seen in 2005. With an excellent soundtrack, wonderful voice acting and out of this world sets Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2) has come to make a very different movie then he is known for. But it fills out to be a film that is fun for the whole family and certain to become a children’s classic like the similar Harry Potter films.