Charming epic fantasy until the last big battle scene...

Rating: 7/10 (27 November 2009)

There's an epic quality of grandeur about the wintry landscape of Narnia, the land ruled by The White Witch (TILDA SWINTON), existing beyond the handsome wardrobe chest in a stately home in the country where four British children are assigned temporary shelter during the war.
The youngest girl, played by GEORGIE HENLEY with great charm and humor, is the first child to hide in the wardrobe and to discover the land beyond. The others soon join her, accidentally, and the tale takes on a darker turn as they learn the rules of the kingdom ruled by The White Witch and her cohorts.
Performances are all first rate, the CGI is incredibly convincing in making all the creatures look and behave in humanized ways, and the story is compelling from the start. Once you start watching, you won't be able to turn away. But the last third of the movie tends to overdo the huge battle scene that rivals "Lord of the Rings" for blood-thirsty excitement. Very young children may be disturbed by the realistic special effects that make the violence so real.
Overall, it succeeds in being a fantasy that weaves a spell of enchantment thanks to the superb craftsmanship of costuming and settings.
TILDA SWINTON does a remarkable job as The White Witch, looking like a pale ghost in her all white attire and playing the role with not a shred of sympathy for her viciously cruel character. Among the children, WILLIAM MOSELY stands out as Peter, the oldest child, who reaches maturity as a leader.
Summing up: Delightful fantasy from the C.S. Lewis book.