Editorial Review:

Description:
Prepare to enter another world when Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media present C.S. Lewis' timeless and beloved adventure. With the stunningly realistic special effects, you'll experience the exploits of Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter, four siblings who find the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' at the country estate of a mysterious professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, once peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs, and giants that has been turned into a world of eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent lion Aslan, the children lead Narnia into a spectacular climactic battle to be free of the Witch's glacial powers forever! The Chronicles of Narnia, Narnia, and all other book titles, characters and locales original thereto are trademarks of C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. and are used with permission. © Disney/Walden

Amazon.com:
C.S. Lewis's classic novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe makes an ambitious and long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technology can conjure, which is fine so long as the film stays true to the story that Lewis wrote. And while this film is not a literal translation--it really wants to be so much more than just a kids' movie--for the most part it is faithful enough to the story, and whatever faults it has are happily faults of overreaching, and not of holding back. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe tells the story of the four Pevensie children, Lucy, Peter, Edmund, and Susan, and their adventures in the mystical world of Narnia. Sent to the British countryside for their own safety during the blitz of World War II, they discover an entryway into a mystical world through an old wardrobe. Narnia is inhabited by mythical, anthropomorphic creatures suffering under the hundred-year rule of the cruel White Witch (Tilda Swinton, in a standout role). The arrival of the children gives the creatures of Narnia hope for liberation, and all are dragged into the inevitable conflict between evil (the Witch) and good (Aslan the Lion, the Messiah figure, regally voiced by Liam Neeson).

Director (and co-screenwriter) Andrew Adamson, a veteran of the Shrek franchise, knows his way around a fantasy-based adventure story, and he wisely keeps the story moving when it could easily become bogged down and tiresome. Narnia is, of course, a Christian allegory and the symbology is definitely there (as it should be, otherwise it wouldn't be the story Lewis wrote), but audiences aren’t knocked over the head with it, and in the hands of another director it could easily have become pedantic. The focus is squarely on the children and their adventures. The four young actors are respectable in their roles, especially considering the size of the project put on their shoulders, but it's the young Georgie Henley as the curious Lucy who stands out. This isn't a film that wildly succeeds, and in the long run it won't have the same impact as the Harry Potter franchise, but it is well done, and kids will get swept up in the adventure. Note: Narnia does contain battle scenes that some parents may consider too violent for younger children. --Dan Vancini









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Rating: - * Narnia: Not My Cup of Tea ... What can I say, I just don't care for this movie. I thought that it would be very entertaining and fun. But I was wrong. Sadly, this film falls short from the stories of its creator. Narnia is not a film that I can watch oer and over again. I'm sorry but this film only gets * star from me. Rating: - * Great Extended Version - Discs 3 & 4 are welcome additions! ... Owning the two-disc version of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe", I was curious to see what the four-disc extended version would add to my viewing experience. My family and I enjoyed watching the extended scenes (Disc 1), particularly the "Battle for Narnia". I was pleasantly surprised by both Disc 3 and Disc 4. Disc 3 " C.S. Lewis - Dreamer of Narnia" is a movie that educates the viewer about the man behind the "Narnia" series. Lewis' story is told in a very creative way. It opens with footage of a real lion steadily moving through a wilderness allowing us to visualize what it must have been like before and as Aslan created Narnia. We meet various literary and religious scholars who comment on C.S. ("Jack") Lewis and themes found in his writings in a clear, respectful, and warm-hearted fashion. We hear from a former student, a taxi driver (who gives tours of significant places in C.S. Lewis' life and tells of Lewis' impact on his life), a close friend of his wife, and Douglas Gresham (C.S. Lewis's stepson and a producer of the current theatrical movies) who shares quite personal insights about "Jack" and his mother. Interspersed throughout are voiceovers of "Jack" reading his letters aloud, giving this movie a solid narrative. Also included are brief scenes of children as they describe what Narnia means to them (in single sentences) and read excerpts from the books. I truly enjoyed this movie and found it quite educational. Parental discretion is advised since footage of WWI (actual footage is not gory but includes frank descriptions of war), suicide, death from cancer, and alcoholism are topics that are mentioned. Disc 4 - "Visualizing The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Complete Production Experience" is fascinating to watch as it shows the movie (theatrical version) with inserts of various members of the production team telling (and often showing) how they approached a particular element of the scene. The producers, director, costume designer, director of photography, set designer, special effects designers & directors, cast (live and voice actors), make-up & prosthetics designer, composer, and editor are all well-represented. Disc 4 will probably be of particular interest to anyone who loves this film and has an interest in filmmaking. Rating: - * No place like Narnia ... Great story of a far away place in another dimension with time warp factor.Great scenery and great acting. Fell in love with Lucy Pevensie. A most see for everyone af all ages. Can't wait to see Prince Caspian, 1300 years later. Rating: - * The Chronicles of Narnia ... The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [Blu-ray] This is a truly exciting movie for everyone to enjoy. Great acting, great sets, great story, great special effects and well shot. A truly wonderful tale that takes you far away from the hum drum. Catch this one if you haven't as yet. Rating: - * Chronicles of Narnia DVD ... The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Full Screen Edition) Very enjoyable movie with winsom characters and fine special effects. Nice family movie. Nice fantasy movie for people that are tired of having half dressed characters and expletives be a part of every movie. I enjoyed it and so did my family. Plan to get Narnia, Prince Caspian this week.