Judas Redemption

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2005)

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" based on the C.S. Lewis novel has a long title, and is a great movie. It is one of the year's best. Director Andrew Adamson and screenwriters Ann Peacock, Adamson, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely bring to life Lewis's story of four children's journey to the fantastical kingdom of Narnia. This maybe Disney's "Lord of the Ring"-- a wise selection. Director Adamson creates a visually stunning live action tale seamlessly incorporating state-of-the art CGI, and classic compelling storytelling. Adamson also keeps our focus on this story thread despite such distractions as talking animals and mythical creatures which are an integral part of the context.
During the beginning of World War II, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy (Georgia Henley), are sent to live with an eccentric relative Professor Kirke (Jim Broadbent) somewhere in the English countryside. Away from their mother, the children make the best of their situation. While playing their favorite game of hide-and-seek, the youngest Lucy enters the upstairs wardrobe, and finds herself in another world, Narnia. Lucy befriends Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy), a faun or half-man creature. From Mr. Tumnus, Lucy discovers that Narnia is ruled by the evil White Witch (the amazing Tilda Swinton) where it has been winter for 100 years without Christmas. Upon returning through the wardrobe, Lucy tells Peter, Susan, and Edmund. They do not believe her story. However, Edmund happens upon Narnia through the wardrobe, and aligns with the White Witch. The White Witch is aware of the prophesy involving the sons and daughters of Adam. Eventually Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy all enter Narnia. They learn from Mr. and Mrs. Beaver that the White Witch's reign will soon end with the return of the legendary lion leader Asland (perfectly voiced by Liam Neeson).
Alsand is literally and metaphorically the messiah in C.S. Lewis's story. Edmund (Keynes), forced into loyalty to the White Witch, is the story's Judas. He betrays Peter, Susan, Lucy and ultimately Asland, unknowingly becoming the White Witch's pawn. The courageous and noble Asland gives his word to the malevolent White Witch in this epic battle of good and evil. Perhaps the difference in this parable, Adamson and Lewis offer the possibility of redemption for this story's Judas-- Edmund.
Andrew Adamson is the great storyteller in "The Chronicles of Narnia." "Narnia" is an epic tale of sacrifice and redemption that beautifully captures the wonder and awe of children embodied in Lucy. Georgia Henley gives Lucy a great soul, innocence and courage. Her touching bond to the charismatic Asland (Neeson) is the heart of "Narnia". Tilda Swinton is a powerful dark presence as the White Witch. Swinton as the Witch is such a threatening force. Liam Neeson perfectly voices Asland. Neeson too is an amazing presence. His Asland is wise and noble, also hinting at great anger and great power. The clash of wills between Asland and the White Witch is compelling. Adamson's "The Chronicles of Narnia" is classic storytelling of a timeless story, well worth watching.