Enchanting Book = Enchanting Movie.

Rating: Null/10 (11 April 2006)

I have many fond memories growing up of reading the seven books that make up the "Chronicles of Narnia" series. So when I heard that they were making the first book into a film, I greatly anticipated its release. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE is the first of C.S Lewis's beloved books to be released on the big screen. With a great deal of reverence, and a very large budget, Disney and Walden Media magnificently bring the classic novel to life. The enchanting story opens with the four Pevensie siblings  Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy  being sent from London during the bombing raids by the Nazis during World War II, to a country estate to stay with an old professor, safe from the war. On a boring, rainy day they play a game of hide-and-seek in which Lucy (the youngest child) stumbles onto an old wardrobe she chooses to hide in. Backing deeper and deeper into it, much to her surprise, between the furry coats, she hits snow covered pine needles! Wandering out of the wardrobe, she discovers a lamp post aflame in the midst of these wintry woods. She meets there a faun, Mr. Tumnus, who explains to her a bit about this world called Narnia. Narnia is ruled by the cruel White Witch, and has been in a 100 year winter, with no Christmas. Eventually, all four children venture into the wardrobe doorway to Narnia, and Edmund is taken hostage by the self-entitled "Queen of Narnia", the White Witch. Her plan is to kill all four kids, because of the prophecy which tells that sons of Adam and daughters of Eve (humans) will arrive to challenge and end her reign. Pursued by her army, the children are aided by a couple of kindly beavers, who can talk of course. The four siblings are to take their rightful place on the throne to rule Narnia. So they go to meet the lion Aslan, the real King of Narnia, and assemble a large army to fight the White Witch and her grotesque minions. Great morals are in this film, such as courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was Oscar nominated three times this year, including Best Visual Effects. You will be excited to hear they are making the second book, Prince Caspian, into a full-length feature, due out in 2007. This perfect adventure movie for both adults and children is rated PG. *Note: read the books too!