Leave it to the Beavers

Rating: 9/10 (9 April 2006)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantastic movie. Worthy of a few awards? I would say so. Worthy of global praise? Well, it's not that great. Pretty much, C.S. Lewis's first children's novel has been made into a children's action movie. Adults all across the nation are saying that they would "prefer watching Fellowship of the Ring". Well, frankly, I found the entire LotR trilogy quite boring and too drawn out, and would much rather watch this one.
It follows the story of Pevensie children inside a large mansion while their father is away at war. They are playing hide-and-seek one day when the youngest, Susan, stumbles upon a wardrobe leading to the snowy land of Narnia. It starts out quite entertaining, and it stays that way for the longest of times. You see the White Witch, Mr. Tumnus, and Professor Kirke. And then...you meet the Beavers. Sadly, these horribly-animated creatures were not only annoying and slowed down the mood of the children's adventure, but they're also the reason many people consider this to be a child's movie.
Once the children arrive in Aslan's camp, however, the speed picks up again and the movie is A+ from then on. The most amazing part of this movie is the final battle. In my opinion, the Battle for Mordor looks like Mario Party compared to this epic conclusion. The most realistic CGI yet. Many people will say that they didn't like the ending, but it stayed true to Lewis's novel, so it's all fine in my book.
All in all, Narnia is a fantastic movie that will keep kids and adults entertained as long as they look more at the story and not the special effects.