Awesome Movie, Christmas or Otherwise

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2006)

Especially for anyone who read the CON series as a kid (as I did) this was an excellent adaption of the main book (there are seven total). Of course, as a fantasy series the visuals are a big component and this movie does a fantastic job of translating what one might visualize in their young minds to the screen. I've always thought that one problem translating fantasy or horror books onto screen has always been the iffy aspect of taking words, for which your mind conjures up it's own unique imaging, and translating them to a stark image based on the director's own imagination. Many times this simply doesn't work. Also, I have to say I am NOT a fan (typically) of CGI effects. Having said that, I've not seen a finer example of CGI and general fantasy imagery than this movie. The animals (who, of course, talk) are astoundingly rendered. The story is faithful to the book. The dialogue is very, very good. The acting could be better, especially (IMHO) the character of Susan. All the talk of religion and symbolism aside (C.S. Lewis was a devout Christian who rejected his faith and came back to it), anyone non-religious will find this movie a delight as well as those who choose to be fascinated by the Christ analogy. I'd rate it a "10" were it not for sometimes spotty acting. If you can see it on an IMAX screen, by all means do.