Disappointed in Narnia

Rating: 3/10 (29 December 2005)

I really enjoyed the first half an hour of this movie! I enjoyed the portrayal of Lucy and Mr. Tumnus. But overall I rather disappointed in the movie.
I agree that it was probably difficult to adapt a screenplay from the book, however, I did not think that changing around events and adding scenes was necessary or respectful to the readers of the book. I think the changes unnecessarily changed the movie into a less intelligent film. If nothing else they could have used some narration in this book. Perhaps they could've even begun with the children falling out of the wardrobe and narrating the story to the professor.
Was it really necessary to make the chase more dramatic in the fact that the witch appeared to be right on their heels rather than a few hours behind as in the book? Would it have been difficult to show the changes that the being in Narnia had on the children, couldn't they have somehow appeared stronger, braver, and more skilled. Rather than them literally stating that they are going to "practice" and making it appear that a few hours of "practice" could make them skilled defenders?
Could the witch have just acted out her disbelief at Aslan's return rather than her stony faced statement "impossible!" I missed the scene where Aslan is so delighted to be reborn that he throws the children in the air. I think Aslan throws someone up in the air in every book! It would've been nice to see this dimension of Aslan as well.
I hope that at some point in the future another producer gives this book a better life on the screen.