THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
By Erica Noble

I was really excited when I saw the first trailer for this movie. I read the books years and years ago. I always loved reading the fantasy genre; it really lets your imagination run wild with the interesting scenery, story line and characters. As I had hoped, this movie portrayed Narnia and the story exactly as I’d envisioned it. It’s been so long since I’ve read the book, I did not notice any (apparently subtle) changes in the story. But that doesn’t matter, changes or not, it was an excellent movie.

The movie starts out with a rather dark tone as the four children; Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, are being herded by their mother into a bomb shelter during an air attack on London during World War II. They are soon sent off by train, along with many other children seeking refuge in the countryside, to the Professor’s Manor, where they will stay until it is safe to return to London.

Despite the many rules and stipulations of being in the house put forth by Mrs. MacReady, the children manage to have some fun playing hide and seek. Lucy, the smallest, finds a huge, looming wardrobe, and hides amidst the rows of fur coats. This leads her to Narnia, another land that can only be accessed from the back of the wardrobe. Lucy meets and has tea with a faun, Mr. Tumnus, and returns to her world through the wardrobe. Edmund is the next to experience Narnia, where he has the misfortune of meeting the White Witch. Edmund, we get the feeling, is a bit of an outcast with his siblings, which sets him up perfectly for the encounter with the Witch. The Witch, and her Turkish Delights, sways Edmund into bringing the rest of the kids back to Narnia. Although he thinks it’s to his benefit, the Witch really wants to kill the children so her reign over Narnia will not be broken. Finally, after having to hide from Mrs. MacReady after breaking a window with the cricket ball, all four children end up in the wardrobe, and then Narnia.

Then the fun really begins! Narnia, enduring 100 years of winter, is presented almost exactly as I’d envisioned it as a kid reading the books. Talking animals, unicorns, and other mythical creatures. The children learn that Mr. Tumnus has been taken away, since he was found guilty of aiding a human (Lucy) rather than turning her in to the Witch. They next meet a Beaver who explains the prophecy, which involves the children (sons of Adam and daughters of Eve) saving Narnia from the Witch’s evil reign and constant winter. Edmund meanwhile wanders off to find the Witch, whom he later finds out isn’t quite as nice as he once thought.

The children, after a bit of deliberating, begin their quest for Aslan, the lion, to join forces against the Witch. They encounter Santa Claus along the way, and he provides them with tools (weapons and such) necessary for their fight against the Witch.

The Witch’s spell is shaken by the children entering Narnia, and winter begins to melt away as spring begins to blossom. Edmund is returned to his brother and sisters, but at a cost, which is Aslan’s life. The scene where Aslan gives himself over to the Witch was exactly as I’d imagined from reading the books, and just as sad. Peter and Edmund decide to go ahead and lead the battle against the Witch, but her army proves to be much greater and seemingly undefeatable. The battle scenes are great, as all of the creatures (cyclops, minotaurs) and forest animals join in the fighting.

As most of you know, the ending turns out well, but I won’t spoil it for anyone who is not familiar with the story! It is an excellent movie, happy, sad, exciting and fun. I thought all of the kids did excellent jobs with their acting, especially Lucy and Peter. Liam Neeson was the perfect pick for the voice of Aslan, and Tilda Swinton made a superb White Witch! The scenery is beautiful; the CGI wasn’t all that bad… and darn it, I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD!