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

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

Review

Based on the classic novel by C.S. Lewis, four children, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) are evacuated from London to the British countryside during World War II. They arrive at Professor Kirke's intimidating country house. In one of the spare rooms the children find a huge ornate wardrobe that leads them to the magical fantasy world of Narnia. They learn that they are to play an important part in Narnia's future by helping Aslan the Lion King defeat the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton) who rules the land. In spite of their unwillingness, and as Susan points out "But we're not FROM Narnia! We're from Finchley", events occur that leave the children in search of Aslan...

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This is a great family movie that will pop up at Christmas time for years to come. A great job has been done of creating the magical fantasy world of Narnia with colourful characters, strange creatures and talking animals. Voices for the talking animals were done, amongst others, by Liam Neeson, Ray Winstone, Dawn French, Rupert Everett and Michael Madsen. It's fun trying to identify who did which animals. The story is a bit more childish than the Lord of The Rings movies and in this regard it is probably closer to the Harry Potter stories. It might appeal most to younger children as older children 14 years-of-age and upwards might find it a little weak on the fighting/battle/suspense side of things.

There are plenty of special effects but they fit quite nicely into the movie and are totally necessary to help create the strange creatures and the talking animals of Narnia.

The four children in the movie can be a little annoying at times and I couldn't get Enid Blyton's Famous Five out of my mind. I was waiting for Timmy-the-dog to appear and for Peter (William Moseley) to break out the ginger-ale! Having said that, little Lucy Pevensie played by Georgie Henley is great. She is the one who first finds the 'gateway' to Narnia in the wardrobe. Tilda Swinton who plays the part of the cruel White Witch is also excellent. Her evilness is always bubbling under the surface!

Bottom Line: Fun, entertaining, family fantasy movie. If you enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe you might also enjoy Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, The Lord Of The Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring, Lord Of The Rings - The Two Towers, The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS: ANNA POPPLEWELL: Girl With A Pearl Earring. TILDA SWINTON: Constantine. JAMES MCAVOY: Wimbledon. JIM BROADBENT: Gangs Of New York, Moulin Rouge, Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason.

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Children

Director: Andrew Adamson

Certificate: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe was rated PG by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. may be watched by unaccompanied children of any age but Parental Guidance is recommended.

Violence = moderate. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = none.

Official Website: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And Wardrobe

~ Main Cast ~

Georgie Henley

Skandar Keynes

William Moseley

Anna Popplewell

Tilda Swinton

James McAvoy

Jim Broadbent

RATING