Metaphorical Movie Magic!

[chaosvizier]

With the Lord of the Rings finished and Harry Potter more than halfway done, a new fantasy series rises up to try and capture the magic. Can C.S. Lewis join J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien in the ranks of fantasy movie legends? Do any of these people have names that aren't initials? W.T.F.?

The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe



Let's get one thing out of the way quickly. A lot of people have raised the issue of Christian allegory in the books, and how Aslan is like Jesus, dead and resurrected, and all that. Whether that's truth or fiction is, ultimately, irrelevant. The issue at hand is more "is it a good movie?" rather than "Oh No Someone Snuck Christian Allegory Into The Film WOE!" Get over it, folks. If someone like me can sit through this film and not burn in holy righteous fire, then you'll probably be ok too. I didn't get smitten for watching Schindler's List despite my Germanic genetics, and I've seen enough movies with stronger allegory than this without batting an eyelid. Allegory does not a bad movie make; turn off the anger and turn on the movie appreciation part of the brain.

Once you do that, you'll actually find a fun movie.

That being said, there remains the question of whether all seven (I think) of the Chronicles of Narnia will be transformed into film. I read them ages ago (and should re-read them, as I've forgotten a lot), but I recall thinking some of them were not very exciting, and might not make good movies. And, unlike Harry Potter or LOTR, they aren't quite one single story stretched out, but more of a series of stories in the same world. That's tough to foresee. But we'll worry about that when those movies actually start showing up.

The plot: Four hobbits children travel through Middle Earth Narnia on a quest to defeat Sauron The White Witch while being helped by a powerful wizard lion.

The pros: This is a very visual movie. From the scenery of Middle Earth New Zealand to the clothing and armor of the armies to the wardrobe itself to the White Witch's many outfits, everything is beautifully rendered and presented. You can feel the chill of the snow-covered forest and the White Witch's ice palace at Minas Morgul. The armies of good are bright and colorful; the armies of evil are dark and grim. You can feel the emotions of the children as they're confronted with a land that goes against their logic- wonderment, self-indulgence, safety, responsibility. The score helps accent the scenes, lending force where needed and staying in the background when supporting. Most of the acting is strong, and the special effects, including WETA's famous battle simulator, blend in quite well.

The cons: Liam Neeson? Good actor, bad choice for a lion. You need a voice with a bit more oomph. Let's face it, James Earl Jones once again wins the pick. And, much as this book isn't really a clone of Lord Of The Rings, it was painfully easy to make LOTR parallel cracks throughout the movie. And I'm bad that way. "Look, the White Witch is raising an army with fire and steel! It looks like Isengard!" And it does. As a minor nitpick, which isn't really much of an issue, Susan gets a magical bow that has great accuracy. Does she use it in the battle? Nah. Does she use it ever? Once. Take that, Deep Roy. Lo Pan would have sent her to the Hell Of Annoying Whiny Older Sisters.

The verdict: I really enjoyed this movie, a lot. Straightforward fun and excitement and adventure. And polar bears.

Disclaimer: I apologize to my movie-watching companions for the "Don't touch the hair" moment. And the Isengard thing. And a few other choice tidbits. My bad.

Disclaimer: Turkish delights are nasty things. If I was gonna betray my siblings, there'd better be a shitload of Cadbury's chocolate involved.

Comments

[zenkevin666.livejournal.com]

If I remember correctly, Tolkien & Lewis wrote LOTR and CoN at the same time (they were friends at Oxford).

I agree, Susan is a bitch, but Peter would hand Lo Pan his ass on a stick!!!

(I love gettting on you about Lo Pan!!).


"Disclaimer: Turkish delights are nasty things. If I was gonna betray my siblings, there'd better be a shitload of Cadbury's chocolate involved."

Shit, I would sell my siblings out for Angelina Jolie's phone number!!!

:)

[drradium.livejournal.com]

Bravo Bravo! Another fabulous movie review by Sir Chaos.

I call BOOLSHEET.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

You would betray your sibling for a pile of Hershey's kisses WRAPPERS.

[miss-katelynne.livejournal.com]

I find it hilarious that there are so many LOTR parallels running through this story. I've always thought LOTR was full of Christian Allegory as well... and don't get me started on Harry Potter!

I tried to read my son's copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and was shocked at how poorly written the first few pages were (I didn't get past that) and then my husband pointed out that C.S. Lewis was a professor and probably not accustomed to "dumbing down" his writing for kids. I guess. Is it worth giving it another try?

[sasscat.livejournal.com]

My sister and I got extra speshul seats for people with wheelchairs and crutches and other impediments to stair-climbing. Most awesome seats evar. Also, we weren't too close to the poor mortals who had to sit where their tickets told them, so I didn't feel too bad for whispering, "One sword to rule them all..." as Peter drew his Christmas gift and it glinted with ELVEN FREAKING RUNES and sending my sister into hysterical giggles.

Actually, I think I spent most of the movie making LOTR cracks and sending my sister into hysterical giggles. Good to know it wasn't just us.


I have this sudden urge to go find one of the lamp-posts in town and then look around for a wardrobe, but then I realise I'd be leaving Narnia and going to wartime Britain, which is the wrong way around entirely, so I shall loiter around here and hope to see either Father Christmas or Tilda Swinton.

I already know half the centaurs. :-)

[the-5th-element.livejournal.com]

Of all your cross outs, I like the Minas Morgul one the best, because it was true. Haha.

I've watched the old BBC version of this movie and a few of the other stories for years now. They played them as a mini-series on PBS. I was in love with them. Surprisingly though I've never read the books. I guess anything with a giant kitty cat in it is gold for me. :)

As far as all the religious stuff, it's in there, C.S. Lewis meant it that way. But in my opinion I didn't get a sense of any of it in this movie so I don't know why people are so crazy about it.

I liked the score, but I would have probably liked it better if it had been done by who it was originally supposed to. Amy Lee from Evanescence. I'd heard it a while back and was super excited only to find out she made some music but they rejected it for being "too dark" and "too epic." Even though this is a rather epic movie.

Don't even get me started on Turkish delight! From watching the other version as a kid I had built up this image of it in my mind like it must be THE GREATEST CANDY IN THE WORLD. Only to have my brothers friend who is Turkish go to Turkey and bring us both back some to taste. *Innocent Childhood Bubble Bursted* Grossest thing ever!

As for Susan and her bow....in the old version, so im sure it was in the book....Aslan mentions to both sisters that he doesn't really want them to fight at all and that their weapons are for only the most desperate of circumstances. This has led many a debat that Lewis was misogynistic. Eh, whatever they're like 10 anyway. I wouldn't want a 10 year old walking around with a dagger or a bow and arrow.


Anyway I loved this movie as I knew I would. And the little Lucy in this one was wonderful compaired to the annoying bucktoothed one they used in the BBC one. I guess British dentistry has come a long way. Anyway I want an Aslan of my own so I can pet his mane and snuggle up with him falling asleep to his giant Narnia saving purring, especially on cold days like this. :)

[skullgrrl.livejournal.com]

And whats wrong with Turkish Delight? Yeah yeah take it all back, bro, this one is going to cost you some new pictures! hehehe