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The beloved children’s story “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” comes to the screen at last in a lavish and rich presentation that is faithful to the classic novel by C.S. Lewis.
The film opens with a bombing raid by the Luftwaffe over the city of London during WWII. Amidst the carnage and chaos, four children and their mother make their way from their house to a shelter that is all but one named Edmund (Skandar Keyes), who risks his life to venture back to the house to retrieve a cherished picture of their father who is away fighting the war.
This compassionate act draws the ire of the oldest Peter (William Moseley), who finds himself in the roll of man of the house in his father’s absence. In an effort to avoid further risk, their mother ships the children north to live away from the bombings until the wars end. At first the children are daunted by being away from home and living in such a large house, but soon they grow to accept their situation. Cut off from their peers, and with only a reclusive professor and stern housekeeper for company, the children setout to amuse themselves in the spacious home.
When the youngest child Lucy (Georgie Henley), hides in a large wardrobe during a game of hide and seek, she is amazed that the back of the wardrobe actually enters a large woods that is covered in snow. As delightful as this discovery is to Lucy, the discovery of a fawn named Mr. Tummnus is an even greater surprise to her. After a brief conversation, Lucy enjoys tea with Tummnus and returns home to learn that no time has past since she has been away in Narnia.
Peter, Edmund, and older sister Susan (Anna Popplewell), are quick to dismiss her story, blaming it on her age and being away from their mother. A midnight jaunt to the wardrobe with Edmund secretly in hiding not only returns Lucy to Narnia but also causes Edmund to meet the White Witch (Tilda Swinton), who unbeknownst to Lucy tempts Edmund with promises of treats and gifts should he return to Narnia with all of his brothers and sisters.
In short order, the children learn that they are caught in a battle between the legions of the White Witch and the forces of the good lead by the return of a fabled Lion know as Aslan (Voiced by Liam Neeson). It is learned that there is an ancient prophecy that when four children of Adam return and sit at a stone table, then the rule of the witch and the century long winter will finally end. Naturally the Witch, with Edmund in tow, does not want this and is ruthless in her efforts to locate and kill the children to preserve her power.
Assisted by a myriad of talking animals, the Children attempt to avoid the Witch and her minions in an effort to locate Aslan and Edmund in order to save their brother and Mr. Tummnus from the witch and return home.
Visually the film is stunning and captures the look and tone of the book perfectly. Balancing the whim, charm, and danger of Narnia is not an easy task as it would be very easy to go too far in one direction with this material. Thankfully Director Andrew Adamson shows that he is up to the task and capable of doing much more than his previous “Shrek” outings and balances a film that combines the best of fantasy and action to create a timeless classic that will delight all ages. The climatic battle is rousing and energetic yet never loses site of the human characters who drive the story despite surrounding them with stunning CGI creations.
The film does have its dark moments, and parents may want to be warned that children under 5 may have some problems with some of the more intense moments in the film. That being said, from the cast, sets, and story, the film is a winner and should become a classic for the ages.
5 stars out of 5.
Rare stock found of the out "out-of-print" DVD Puppetmaster Box set!!! Click The Image for More Info.
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Gareth Von Kallenbach
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