More regal than a Buick

Rating: 7/10 (25 April 2006)

I kept my expectations low for "Narnia". I was expecting it to fail. To try to be too epic, too "Lord of the Rings", but ending up more like "Dungeons and Dragons". If "Rings" is a Cadillac, I thought "Narnia" would be a Buick. A Buick Regal, no less, but still a Buick.
But after popping out this DVD, I found myself thoroughly entertained. I actually applauded at the end, even though I was alone. "Narnia" can take its place as perhaps second to "Lord of the Rings" in the fantasy adaptations trophy room.
I hadn't heard of any of the children in this movie, but they were all good. Expect that main little girl to get more work in the future, she was excellent. Tilda Swinton was so-so as the villain, but she wasn't very scary. The wicked witch in "Wizard of Oz" is more gangster than her.
There were a few distractions while watching the movie. For one, there are more talking animals than a Disney animated film (wait, this is a Disney movie)! And it bugged me that I couldn't figure out who voiced the Lion. I thought for sure it was Sam Neill, but instead it was that Cadillac among Buicks, Liam Neeson who provided the vocal chops.
All in all, "Narnia" is a very regal movie: exciting, good lessons for children, and spectacular visual effects. Bring on the sequel(s).