Entertains but fails to make a modicum of sense.

Rating: 5/10 (20 January 2006)

As a child I probably liked this book, so that's more than likely why I went to go see it in the first place, apart from the wonderful advertising for the movie. Some things bothered me about the movie. For instance, It's obvious from the very first time Peter picks up a sword that he has no idea how to use it. But by the end of the movie, 2 days or so later, he's an expert swordsman.
There could be lots of argument about how he's prophesized, so it's in his blood to know how to sword fight, but I don't buy it. If it were in his blood why wouldn't he be an expert sword fighter naturally instead of having to learn? After all, natural means you just seem to have a talent for it right from the get go. All we ever see is about 2 seconds of practice with his brother Edmund who also doesn't know how to sword fight.
I think we needed a montage somewhere in here (perhaps of him practicing with one of the creatures that already seemed to grasp sword fighting?). I also didn't like the fact that Narnia seems to worship Christ and Christmas despite the fact that it is a fantastical world. This part made the least sense to me of all. I don't have a problem believing that beavers and horses can talk in a fantastical world, but take a theme that is typically associated with Christianity (a religion that was introduced in this world) and it makes no sense.
You tell me, who would believe that Gandalf likes Christmas? You could cough up the fact that these children were imagining this world during playtime. That still wouldn't explain why the old man who sheltered them seems to believe in that world as well. It also wouldn't explain why there are 6 other books that revolve around the same world.
The special effects and the battle scenes are all well done, as they should be. I particularly like the art direction and the colors and tones that are used. Work needed to be done where the soundtrack is concerned, it doesn't seem to know where it belongs. One minute we hear what can only be described as a early 30's track, the next we hear orchestral music, and in yet another switch (in the main song I might add) we hear a lot of modern music.
The children do the best they possibly can with their respective characters, and a couple even come out likable. There is some humor in here as well. In the end the movie comes off a bit cruel as far as a children's film goes. Your kids will be crying because of the way they did the whole Aslan sacrifice scene.
I give this a 5 because it's not a total waste of money, but still doesn't blow LOTR out of the water like some claim.