My Movie Review on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe · 6:26pm Dec 16th, 2019
Yo, what's up, my good pals?
This is your friendly film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
And today, for the eighth installment of my "Christmas Craze" series, and my 90th film review, I'm gonna be reviewing "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe".
Here's the summary of it:
During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings by the names of Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter are sent away to a house in the countryside where they'll be safe. There, they'd be under the care of Professor Digory Kirke, and his rather strict housekeeper, Mrs. MaCready.
However, when Lucy discovers a wardrobe in the house and goes inside of it, she finds herself in a unique and magical world called Narnia. When the entire family enters Narnia at one point, they discover that they're the figures of a prophecy where two daughters of Eve and two sons of Adam are to defeat the wicked White Witch and free Narnia from her reign of terror and eternal winter.
Will the Pevensie siblings come to terms with their destiny and accept the task at hand? Or will they always think of themselves as mere children from London?
The prime reason for why I wanted to make this film part of my "Christmas Craze" series was because of the inclusion of Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as the character is called. He just seemed to make the movie easy to consider as a Christmas film.
In all honesty, I haven't read the books that were made by C.S. Lewis yet. But this film...is truly a masterpiece to behold!
The direction by Andrew Adamson, and the screenplay by him, Ann Peacock, Stephen McFeely, and Christopher Markus, were fantastic! I love how Adamson clearly went all-out in making this a perfect film by honoring the legacy of C.S. Lewis while also incorporating his own flair. He and the rest of the screenwriting team created perhaps one of the most character-driven films I've ever seen, and the dialogue they gave the characters was fun too. There was even some powerful emotion throughout, with dynamic drama and well-done bits of humor and wit.
The themes that the film had, which were about love, faith, trust, and destiny, were remarkable as well. The sacrifice that Aslan made, which was to die on the stone table in Edmund's place and save Narnia, was incredibly reminiscent to Jesus's sacrifice to save us from eternal damnation, including that the two of them rose up from death afterwards.
The performances of the cast and their characters were awesome as well. It's been hard for me to single out exactly whom I thought gave the best performance out of everyone, largely because every cast member portrayed their parts with astounding passion and commitment, and they portrayed their characters to where it was like they were born to play them. Tilda Swinton as the White Witch, Liam Neeson as Aslan, James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus, William Moseley as Peter, Georgie Henley as Lucy, everybody!
The character development in articulation was phenomenal! For instance, I loved how Edmund developed from a mere sour-puss to someone who's loyal and caring, and how the bonds between the Pevensie children grew stronger than ever before.
As a plus, the special effects that were used throughout the film were groundbreaking. For example, I love how realistic the animals appeared to be, and how the facial emotions and expressions of their vocal performers translated perfectly into them, such as with Aslan and the beavers.
Finally, the music by Harry-Gregson Williams was melodiously marvelous. Some may say that Gregson's work on films like "Shrek" are the very best he's done, but to me...his work in this movie is what I believe to be his best and most brilliant work ever. He created music that was deeply filled with emotion and heart, and it was strong enough to give the works of John Williams, John Debney, and Alan Silvestri a run for their money.
In conclusion, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is what I classify as one of the best films of the 21st century, and it's even worthy of being listed as a classic for years to come.
So, I rate "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" a solid five out of five stars.
2005: Disney makes a movie with a CGI lion that looks almost real. Loads and loads of facial and emotional expression.
2019: Disney makes a movie with a whole bunch of CGI lions that looks almost real. Their faces are practically blank slates and it kills our ability to resonate with their struggles.
Don't 'cha just love progress?
All kidding aside, this was a really good adaptation of the book. Liam Neeson was awesome as Aslan.
For reference, the entire aeries of books is based on both the New Testament and Platonian philosophy
My favorite quote was, "Do not cite the deep magic to me, witch. I was there when it was written." That's a power move if there ever was one.
What will you review next?
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I’d like to keep it a surprise, but I have more installments of my “Christmas Craze” series coming the next day, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day, and next Tuesday, and next Wednesday.
I liked it, but I think the books aged better. I mean, I liked this movie as a kid, but the books just got better as I got older and read them more than once.
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Have you gotten around to watching my recommendations yet?
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Not yet. I’ve just been rather busy. But, I am planning on getting my review of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” done after I finish my “Christmas Craze”.
When i saw this movie in theaters, i was SWEPT by it in every way! 10 out of 5 stars anyday!
FOR NARNIA!!!
I actually read the novel before seeing this film and I was very satisfied with the film's results. Seeing Aslan killed by Jadis on the Stone Table reminded me so how of our Savior's crucifixion on the Cross. Not to mention that it came out on a year after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
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Interestingly enough, Aslan IS meant to be Jesus
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That's what makes him a wonderful individual!
This is the Disney film that takes you away to a different place. This is also the film where I discovered Imogen Heap and her wonderfully innovative music.