One of the greatest Fantasy Epics of all time!!

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2005)

To describe this film as beautiful doesn't even to begin to explain what it encompasses. The world that C.S. Lewis created in words comes to life in a vision that is just drop dead gorgeous. For me Chronicles of Narnia was so brilliant and epically told and was not made with just children in mind but rather for everyone. The actors in the film do an incredible job of going from mere children to heroes of this magical world. Although you might think that they would have rushed it (trying to fit everything from the book into the film) everything fits together so nicely and flows at a terrific pace considering the 2 1/2 hour time frame. It felt like an hour!! Chronicles of Narnia just stuns you and keeps you completely riveted to this fairly tale like world and story. While it is dark enough to keep you enthralled it has this wonderful spiritual undertone, the exact way in which I believe Lewis had envisioned his books and the film makers actually managed to keep that feel alive. It doesn't try to hide the spiritual significance that likely some won't get but those who are looking will still find it.
Newcomer Georgie Henley who plays the youngest and the first to discover Narnia is a delight to watch. She's adorable and has some terrific expressions and moments in the film. She will for certain be a familiar face in films to come. William Moseley who plays the oldest, protective brother Peter also does a great job of becoming the knight and protector of Narnia. Anna Popplewell as the eldest sister also does a great job. I must admit I was not an "Edmund" fan. That was the youngest brother. I know he was meant to have a bit of a mean streak in him but I never quite thought that Skandar Keynes performed as well as the other children in the film. But he couldn't possibly bring it down. Tilda Swinton plays the evil White Witch and plays a brilliant adversary to the Children and to Aslan and it's no small mention that her sheer image added to her character. She was downright disturbing to look at!! She is most certainly a memorable villain in film history.
Director Andrew Adamson who, up until now, has been telling his fairy tales on the animated screen front with Shrek and Shrek II performs his greatest film to date with this remarkable creation. This is absolutely sure to be an instant classic that will exist forever. The absolutely amazing CGI creations of animals and the voices that went with them created such amazing and real characters. The Beavers, the fox, and of course the incredible Aslan himself (voiced by Liam Neeson.) They created and treated Aslan like he was meant to be...a true King. From his introduction, to his death, to his resurrection, it was all done with such reverence. Normally not a CGI fan, but I wasn't bothered by the beautiful CGI creations in this film. The Battles in the film, no matter how "toned down" were still magnificent and thrilling and still not for the younger viewers as they still managed to be more than a little violent although in the end all the good live again with the help of a magic potion given to Lucy by none other than Santa Clause himself (although he is never named as such.) The film is just such a brilliant fairy tale, beautiful and enthralling and will draw you in for the 2 hours and never take a breath. You could watch this a million times over and never get bored. I think this is one of the best adventure films I have ever seen!! The ending for me was almost a little too cutesy but this truly is meant to be a wholesome, touching film much like C.S. Lewis intended his stories to be I am sure. You must see this, alone or with your family, it's beautiful!! 10/10