Like the book?...then you'll like this movie!

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2005)

Just like any other recent movie that originated from a popular book (Harry Potter and LOTRs both instantly jump to mind faster then you can say "the one ring" seven times fast!) - it is very hard to critique fairly and with an open mind. Most viewers already have images of what Narnia should look like, what Aslan should sound like, and of course what parts of the book were missed and what they should have edited. As a reader of all seven C.S. Lewis classics, I am no different. However, as a movie goer looking for a new way to indulge my over abundant imagination, I was very pleased with this picture! The casting felt remarkable! I felt that if they did well with casting the Lucy character, it had a good strong chance of succeeding. Lucy carries the entire movie. The White Witch is also very interesting to watch. I'm not sure how they made her eyes look as icy as they did, or if it was natural, either way - great intensity! The other three children are believable too. I thought Peter was very good as the eldest child, while I pictured Edmund to look a little different. Also - as far as all four of them being related, Peter didn't really look much like the other three, but he still made the perfect Peter so I can live with the slight difference.
The movie itself was a little slow at times, but if you read the book, the movie is very much in order and in context. I felt that while I was watching it, I was actually re-reading the book whereas in movies like Harry Potter- I have to piece certain parts together to figure out what is missing because the books are longer then any movie should ever be! And in their own way, they also succeed, but Narnia is as is well scripted.
As for other things I strongly enjoyed - the fawn, Mr. Tumnous was great and fascinating to watch. Liam Neison as the voice of Aslan really was the only major downer of the entire movie. It just wasn't as mystical or powerful as I expected and hoped for. I feel as though a no name actor with an amazing voice might have been better - especially since Aslan is suppose to take on many different faces and represent a wide range of possibilities. Recognizing the voice kind of ruined it for me personally.
Overall, I gave it a 9 out of 10. P.s. stay through the credits for a few extra minutes. You get the Alanis M. song and a bonus!