Pretty, but overall disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (12 December 2005)

The special effects have been discussed at length by reviewers and viewers posting their opinions on this site, and they were certainly impressive.
Where I think this movie fails miserably is its character development. I've read the books, and know what care Lewis put into developing his characters personalities so that we can understand them.. but this movie doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. One minute, the kids are saying "we should really get out of Narnia", and then a minute later, "lets fight in the war and die for Narnia". The moral dilemma that Edmund faces is almost completely glossed over, and the viewer is left with only close-up reaction shots of the kids to substitute for actual exposition and character development.
I was also shocked at how they beat you over the head with the Christian message of the story. I know Lewis intended to copy the story of Christ, but I didn't expect the movie to attack so directly any characters that opposed the view of the "christian path".
Overall, I'd say that its worth seeing for the special effects and it's certainly entertaining. But as a movie that I'm expected to feel anything for beyond mindless entertainment, it fails, as I was unable to connect with any of the characters whom I felt were very relatable in the book.