Brilliant, Just Brilliant

Rating: 8/10 (11 December 2005)

Over the week before going to the film, I read all seven books again; in random order. Of course after not reading them in about 6 years or so I enjoyed again the biggest masterpiece of Children's literature since Moonfleet.
The film's beginning I found an essential add-on. It really reflected the attitudes of the children and their different personalities. All except I think for Lucy. The beginning of the film made nothing much of her, but as soon as they stepped off the train her talent came to life. I especially loved the attention to detail when she first enters the Wardrobe, speaking of course of the three mothballs that fall out, just a small detail of the book which made me anyway; savour the film all the more.
Of the four children in the film, the one I most enjoyed was Edmund. The was he was acted was just perfect and you could almost believe that he had sprung right out of CS Lewis's masterpiece, so well was he played.
I didn't recognise Liam Neeson's voice. I don't know what he did, but I could not find one trace of the accent he has in all other films I've seen him in. It just disappeared. He was perfect as Aslan, and even though I first thought before I watched the film that he would be one of the worst voices for Aslan, I have to admit I was mistaken, a brilliant performance.
~spoiler~
They cut out two scenes of which I can remember. The point at which the Giant (on Aslan's side) breaks open the gates. I don't know, but I have to say I was slightly disappointed with that cut.
Also of course the part where Jadis turns the Christmas Party into stone. They replaced that as far as I can see with some fox cameo (played by Rupert Everett)...
They also changed the storyline quite a lot. Especially the point at where they are escaping from the Beaver's Dam. The fox (Everett) was also put in which caused quite a change to the storyline. It meant there had to be a chase, when in actual fact, there was none. But I think the fox was inserted for comic reasons, to make up for Lewis's one-liners in the book.
One thing I was especially annoyed about was the fact that Jadis and her servant weren't alone when Edmund was saved, it would have been interesting to see them change into a tree stump and a rock. Of course the other thing is pole Bearers which carried Jadis through the camp when she was to talk to Aslan. If they hadn't been there, then it would have been quite nice to insert the scene from the book where Jadis runs from Aslan after questioning his promise. It just shows that at heart she is really terrified of Aslan.
Amazing film. I hope my criticism doesn't hide that fact. I would nominate it for best film in the Oscars at least. There aren't many films to beat it come out this year. However, Time will tell.