Narnia a Rip-Roaring Triumph

Rating: 10/10 (26 December 2005)

C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" has bewitched audiences for fifty years, and - after seeing this movie - I'm sure that the legacy of Narnia will live on for many years to come.
From the opening scenes set in London, with a beautiful score by Harry Gregson Williams, it is evident that what we are about to see will be powerfully realized. And so it was. The film, directed by Andrew Adamson, is in turn is breathtaking, scary, funny, entrancing and poignant.
Featuring a stellar cast of renowned British, New Zealand and American actors, performances are fabulous. As the four children, William Moseley, portraying Peter - the teenage boy torn between childhood and manhood - and Anna Popplewell, as the motherly sister Susan, are fabulous in their roles. Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes deliver stand-out performances, showing talent and skill beyond their years.
Tilda Swinton, as the White Witch, perfectly captures the icy and chilling menace of her role. Audiences sympathize with James McAvoy, as the friendly faun Mr Tumnus. Ray Winstone and Dawn French put in a delightful turn as the Beavers. Liam Neeson is perfect as the great lion Aslan.
Andrew Adamson's imagination has not been limited, and his rendition of C.S. Lewis' modern fairytale perfectly captures the magic and mirth of the original novel.
Bringing C.S. Lewis fans to a state of ecstasy, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a triumph for the cinema.