Sad - both reviews and the movie

Rating: 5/10 (11 December 2005)

I don't know what's worse - the disappointment I felt after seeing the film, or some of the pathetic comments about its religious nature. I grew up a fan of Lewis and, having read his Narnia and other fiction (and non-fiction) books, I have to say the film is a huge let-down. No doubt, Peter Jackson should have done it. Unlike the books, it's just plain hollow. It's rushed and lacks the epic nature of the books. It should have been on par with LOTR, but comes nowhere close. What's worse are the scenes which are obviously trying to reach that level and which so blatantly fail.
As far as its religious nature, some of the reviewers here don't seem to realize that Lewis was a Christian who wrote - among other things - allegorical tales. This wasn't an alternative to Harry Potter, as some seem to think. It was an adaptation of some of the most loved and widely-read children's books in history.
If you don't understand why this had religious overtones, read the books. If you thought this movie would have made Lewis proud, read the books. If you want a great story in which you can get absorbed, read the books.