Well, everyone, we’ve finally arrived at my 600th review. Today, you may, or may not be surprised by what I picked out for this special occasion. Well, feel free to tell me either way. Today, just as I picked a film that was based on a beloved fantasy book series for my 250th movie review, that is going to be the case today too. Okay, to refresh your guy’s memories, I picked The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowships Of The Ring for my 250th review back a few years ago. This time, I shall be reviewing a film adaptation based on one of a few books in this series that were all written up by English, and Christian author C.S. Lewis. It is the one, and only 2005 adaptation of this chapter of the series, The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe, featuring Tilda Swindon as the White Witch, William Moseley as Peter Pevensie, Anna Popplewell as Susan, Skandar Keynes as Edmund, Georgie Henley as Lucy, and Liam Neeson as the voice of the Great Lion of Narnia, Aslan, among other actors, and actresses.
Plot: Set during WWII, four children with the last name of Pevensie, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy (played by William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and Georgie Henley respectively) are evacuated from London, England, and to the countryside, in the home of Professor Digory Kirke (Jim Broadbent). One day, while in a huge wardrobe, the four children find themselves in a magical land called Narnia, a land that has been under snow, and ice for a century. Once they encounter characters like the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swindon), and the good Lion, Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), as well as get caught up in a great battle between the two sides, the four find themselves having to join Aslan, and all the creatures that side with Him, in a fight for the freedom of Narnia from the White Witch’s rule. Now, it is up to the four children (who are also referred to sons of Adam, and daughters of Eve in this film), Aslan, and all those who believe in the greater good of Narnia, to defeat the White Witch, and bring an end to her tyrannical rule once and for all.
Alright, so, as I write this review, I have to confess that I did in fact read all seven of the books of The Chronicles Of Narnia starting from around probably my mid teens through late teen years, sometime like that. Maybe I should go back, and read them again to see if I will see both this film, and all of the book series with fresh new eyes, eh? Either way, how was this film adaptation of The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe? Well, I will be honest with you all, it was definitely well done. Granted, I don’t entirely remember how the book version of this story went down. However, I will say this, the film was well done, and seemed to stick very close to the book version of this part of the series. First of all, how could you not appreciate that this film does a really good job of translating most things from the book to the big screen? Sure, there were likely some liberties taken along the way just line with any film adaptation. Even so, nearly every character is well written, and made perfectly in nearly every way that they were done in the the book version of this story. It seemed quite clear that Disney wanted to do their best to get this story as right as they could. What’s more is that if this film had been made by any other company, be it 20th Century Fox, New Line Cinemas, or some company like that, and had the right directors, and filmmakers to make this film, this adaptation probably would have been just as good, maybe even better, than it was in the end. It’s just a shame that neither Prince Caspian, or Voyage Of The Dawn Treader performed quite as well as this film did, especially since there were no more of the Narnia films made for the big screen after the flop of Dawn Treader. Anyway, what’s more is that the executives did an excellent job of keeping most, if not quite all, of the Christian symbolism that the book had, from Aslan representing Jesus, the White Witch symbolizing either the devil, or a pawn of the devil, certain events in this film, and story being parallels to events from the Bible, and a whole lot more. Truth be told, films like this version of The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe serve as proof that Disney needs to go back to making films like this, and making more original stories, instead of many if the remakes, and sequels that they’ve been doing as of recently. I’m sure even Walt Disney himself would agree with that, and put a stop to what the executives at Disney have been doing lately in regards to that. Anyway, if you liked film adaptations of fantasy stories like the Harry Potter films, the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, or even the Hobbit trilogy, for instance, chances are you’ll most likely love this Chronicles Of Narnia film, and at least the two that followed. The music is also amazing. Granted, the two songs may not be the most memorable of this film. Still, since there is so much other good stuff in this film, that part could more than likely be overlooked. With that in mind, the score by Harry Gregson-Williams is amazing. I’m just sorry that I never got the soundtrack for this film. It is that good. Even when the climax occurs, you’ll especially love it. What’s more is that the score is just as great as when Howard Shore did his score for the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I’m sure that many of us can agree on how amazing that score was too. With that said, you can tell Williams truly knew how to capture the audience with his majestic, and amazing score for this film. If this did not win Best Original Score at the Oscars, then that’s a shame, since it deserved it. Additionally, the acting is phenomenal, from the actors that played the four Pevensie kids, Tilda Swindon as the White Witch, and especially Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan. Wow, whether Neeson is playing a hero, or even a villain, he knows how to play the role really well. Here is no exception. He truly did capture the mannerisms, and characteristics of Aslan. Same goes for the actors that played their respective roles. Overall, the characters themselves are well memorable. Another thing to love about this film is that this film is excellent with balancing the emotions, whether they be funny moments that make you laugh, or even the times that make you sad, and nearly cry. Finally, the film does well with pacing it’s story, and hardly, if ever, drags at all.
And that’s my review for The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. Honestly, if you haven’t seen this film, but have read the books, I would highly recommend that you see this film. It does well with following closely to the source material. Again, yes, there are some liberties taken in the process. Still, with how well done this film is, I can guarantee that even C.S. Lewis himself would have been proud of what Disney accomplished with with this movie. It’s just a shame that Disney was unable to get all of his books off the ground, and adapted to the big screen. Well, on the bright side, at least we have this film, Prince Caspian, and Voyage Of The Dawn Treader. Well, let me just say definitely see The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. You’ll be glad of it, I’m sure.
Final Grade: A+
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