A little let down

Rating: 6/10 (15 December 2005)

Was this a good movie? - Yes. Was it well cast and acted? Yes. Was the scenery and animation convincing and even beautiful? I thought so. But as someone who first heard this tale as a bedtime story when I was 3 or 4 years old and having read the book now numerous times, I have to say I was disappointed. I know I can't expect perfection or a word to word exact translation from book to film but the movie seemed to alter the personality of the book just enough for me to feel let down. It was as if they took the body of the book striped it down to it's bare bones and then fitted it with a new body. So much of the charm of the book is in the humor and wit of its author which I didn't see or feel in the movie at all. The rhythm felt all off to me. I don't understand why they added some stuff that didn't enhance the story any (in my opinion) and didn't make it any shorter, and took out important dialogue that gave much more depth to the different characters. There were scenes I thought were done very well and if I had never read the book I'm sure I would think it a great and entertaining movie. But I have read the book, backwards and forwards, and to a hard core fan like me this movie did not cut it. I am sorry to be such a downer in the midst of all this praise, and I think those involved in the film should feel proud - it is a good movie - I just can't help but feel it could of been more. But maybe a movie maker has more to consider than keeping us hard core book fans happy and also need to think of those who have never read the book at all. And I will always have the book - just the way it is, and I can always use my imagination to go to the Narnia I have gone to as a child. I hope I never lose that magic and never grow to old and lose the power of my imagination - I don't believe C.S. Lewis ever did.