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

Synopsis:

This film brings to life the first book of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series - a seven-part children's fantasy epic written during the 1950s.

In the story the four Pevensie children find themselves at the country home of a mysterious professor after being evacuated from a war torn London. During a game of hide and seek the youngest sibling, Lucy (Georgie Henley), discovers a magical wardrobe that turns out to be a doorway to the fantasy land of Narnia.

Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Susan (Anna Popplewell) at first don't believe Lucy, but as fate would have it, they all end up going through the wardrobe to discover a troubled Narnia.

A pair of talking beavers help the children to learn of an ancient prophecy that is the key to their destinies. Under the guidance of a great leader ,the lion Aslan, they set out to destroy Jadis (Tilda Swinton), the evil White Witch who has kept the land enslaved in misery and in the grip of a winter that has lasted for the past 100 years.

Review:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is proof that we are getting closer to a new era in which actors and actresses will play bit parts in a completely CGI rendered reality. There are moments where the animation is only as real as a top shelf PC game, but the lion king Aslan (voice by Liam Neeson) is so realistic that you may just start believing that animals really can speak. He is, quite simply put, majestic.

The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films have spoilt movie goers with intricate landscapes and a detailed fantasy world, an expectation not met in Narnia. The mythological creatures we come across suggest a land filled with a variety of mystical habitats, but instead Narnia seems like one big wood surrounded by a mountain and an ocean - New Zealand to be more precise. Rather disappointing if you consider the estimated budget of R950 million.

Georgie Henley debuts with a performance worth noting and her commitment to the role of Lucy is evident throughout the film. This commitment ensures the audience identify with her at all times. Skandar Keynes (Edmund) comes a close second in quality of performance and an emotional depth. Edmunds' betrayal offers him an opportunity to reach the audience on a completely different level. Sadly, the same can't be said for the two older Pevensies who are average at best.

In the adult arena, Swinton takes the lead with her chilling performance as the White Witch, a cruel tyrant who doesn't hesitate to turn all those who stand against her to stone. With her dark stare and cold smile she makes no effort to hide her malicious intent.

The fact that this is the first live action film that Andrew Adamson has ever directed could be the reason for the overall lack of character depth. However, co-directing the Shrek films seems to have given him enough experience to direct Narnia successfully. A job well done, despite the flaws.

On a more spiritual level, C.S Lewis wrote the first book with many underlying moral lessons. Although some may instantly recognise a Christian allegory in the events surrounding Aslan and the path he travels, it was not the intention of the author for this to be the primary focus. It may be best to view the film in its totality and not to try and draw religious comparisons. C.S. Lewis wrote The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a fantasy novel for children to indulge in and escape to, and maybe along the way learn some valuable lessons, such as the importance of forgiveness.

The box office success that the film has enjoyed overseas will almost certainly ensure that Disney start production for the second book, Prince Caspian, so we can look forward to further adventures with the Pevensies.

The film is, for all intents and purposes, brilliant. It may not be on same scale as Lord of the Rings, but it is destined to become a long running franchise. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will fuel the imaginations of children and is a perfect accompaniment to this festive season. What about the adults? We'll get a chance to glimpse back into our childhood and relive the fantasies we all once believed in.

Time to go home and check the closets, just in case...

- Louis Basson

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