Great Adaptation

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2005)

I just read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for the first time and I only had one regret. I wish I had discovered Narnina when I was still a child. It was a wonderful book, but I bet there is something magical in reading it as a child, but I was determined to read it before I saw the movie and I was determined to see the movie because there are so few movies with strong moral story lines being released today.
So, last night, I went to see the movie. I have never seen a better adaptation of a book into a movie. There were no significant changes to the basic plot. Those differences that existed were there to tell things that the narrator was able to explain in the book.
I was pleased with the job the young actors did in their parts. They were all able to carry the innocence and be endearing without being overbearingly cute (with the exception of Georgie Henley as Lucy, but I think that's just because she's at the age where her teeth are too big for her mouth). I think James McAvoy stole the show as the conflicted Mr. Tumnus. He said a lot with his facial expressions. I can't say as much about Tilda Swinton in the role of the White Witch. She was too mechanical in her role. The White Witch should have been much more passionate in her hatred. Swinton seemed robotic.
To touch on the deeper meaning of the story, the parallel with the Christian gospel, I was much more moved by Aslan's sacrifice than the entire movie "The Passion of the Christ." At the same time, I appreciated the cinematography involved in his sacrifice, though I do warn that there are a few scenes that might be difficult for small or sensitive children.
My only problem came with some of the CGI effects. Oh, I thought Aslan was well done and I was quite fascinated to watch the faun's legs move. The sloppy animation came when the humans were obviously against a blue screen. The backgrounds were not as seamless as similar movies.
Of course, to go back to my statement at the beginning that I wished I had discovered Narnina when I was a child, I was just as excited during the trailers when I saw the preview for the next Pirates of the Carribbean. Is it me, or does this one not look as good as the first? Whatever your age, discover Narnina today.