Narnia
Narnia
There are as many movie reviewers out there as there are movies but I felt that this movie called for one more review. My review is different in that the Christian perspective is as important as the technical aspects and I offer it with no apologies.
The battle scenes, though hand-to-hand, are not nearly as brutal as Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart” because there are not many instances of blood and gore. Those wounds that do exist are minimized. One of the main characters receives a potentially mortal blow but as dramatic as that is - it is still just a red spot on the character’s vestments. It is a brutal battle because the setting is beautiful, even pastoral and these are the creatures of our childhood fantasies. The creatures are truly fantastic; griffins and gargoyles as well as lions, tigers and bears. This war between good and evil is presented simply with stark stereotypical contrasts; you wonder how that stupid child could NOT know that the Snow Queen is evil. She isn’t pale and cold just because she hasn’t been to the beach lately. The wolves with their snarling and hateful muttering and threats are scary because they are cunning. Aslan, the Lord of Narnia, is beautiful and perfect. The events before the big battle draw on the characters and pull out of them the qualities that you suspect. The duplicity of the greedy little liar and the nobility of the beaver couple as they show their concern for each other as they go into hiding, running for their lives. You see strengths come into play in unexpected ways and the individuals are surprised at themselves sometimes (even Santa Claus has his part to play). The adult actors chosen to portray our child-heroes in the final scenes seem unreal in their perfection but are natural and un-self-conscious in their movements and interactions. We rebel at the final choice at the end of the story because it is unthinkable from an adult’s perspective. But it makes sense.
The allegorical aspects that will appeal to a believer are so obvious that I hesitate to discuss them because they would spoil the suspense for anyone who happens to be the one in a millionth person who hasn’t read the book. Entire books have been written on the allegory found in the fictions of C S Lewis. I can only add that this work is true to the author. Mr. Lewis’s grandson held tightly to this property waiting for the right moment.
The detail of the computer-generated image has reached new levels and will stand up to inspection if Disney maintains their standard in the reproduction of the DVD. I, for one, am pleased at the continued collaboration of Disney and Pixar. The visuals in this movie are child-like but not cartoon-ish. This is destined to be an instant DVD “must-have”. I give this movie two thumbs up and a "go get the refill popcorn yourself!" yodi-va
pp-edit: Disney and Pixar have not signed a contract renewal as yet. I hope no one bought Disney stock due to this review. :) Actually, I don't recommend buying stock in Disney anyway.
f mcdonald said...
We rebel at the final choice at the end of the story because it is unthinkable from an adult’s perspective. But it makes sense.
I am intrigued by that statement. I don't remember the Narnia stories well at all and was not inclined to see the movie but your enthusiasm is contagious.
Looks like the McDonalds will be going to the movies together for the first time since The Passion of the Christ was released!
8:52 PM
Polycarp said...
Sounds like a good movie!
9:11 PM
spankthatdonkey said...
Thanks for the Link, I will do the same!!
10:28 AM
f mcdonald said...
Saw the movie tonight and it was even better than I expected. I was so touched by Edmond's betrayal and redemption.
One little boy walked into the theatre clutching his Narnia books. As we were leaving another boy could hardly contain himself, "That was the best movie ever! Ever! Ever!"
Thank you C. S. Lewis for this timeless gift and Disney for translating it into film.
9:59 PM
There are as many movie reviewers out there as there are movies but I felt that this movie called for one more review. My review is different in that the Christian perspective is as important as the technical aspects and I offer it with no apologies.
The battle scenes, though hand-to-hand, are not nearly as brutal as Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart” because there are not many instances of blood and gore. Those wounds that do exist are minimized. One of the main characters receives a potentially mortal blow but as dramatic as that is - it is still just a red spot on the character’s vestments. It is a brutal battle because the setting is beautiful, even pastoral and these are the creatures of our childhood fantasies. The creatures are truly fantastic; griffins and gargoyles as well as lions, tigers and bears. This war between good and evil is presented simply with stark stereotypical contrasts; you wonder how that stupid child could NOT know that the Snow Queen is evil. She isn’t pale and cold just because she hasn’t been to the beach lately. The wolves with their snarling and hateful muttering and threats are scary because they are cunning. Aslan, the Lord of Narnia, is beautiful and perfect. The events before the big battle draw on the characters and pull out of them the qualities that you suspect. The duplicity of the greedy little liar and the nobility of the beaver couple as they show their concern for each other as they go into hiding, running for their lives. You see strengths come into play in unexpected ways and the individuals are surprised at themselves sometimes (even Santa Claus has his part to play). The adult actors chosen to portray our child-heroes in the final scenes seem unreal in their perfection but are natural and un-self-conscious in their movements and interactions. We rebel at the final choice at the end of the story because it is unthinkable from an adult’s perspective. But it makes sense.
The allegorical aspects that will appeal to a believer are so obvious that I hesitate to discuss them because they would spoil the suspense for anyone who happens to be the one in a millionth person who hasn’t read the book. Entire books have been written on the allegory found in the fictions of C S Lewis. I can only add that this work is true to the author. Mr. Lewis’s grandson held tightly to this property waiting for the right moment.
The detail of the computer-generated image has reached new levels and will stand up to inspection if Disney maintains their standard in the reproduction of the DVD. I, for one, am pleased at the continued collaboration of Disney and Pixar. The visuals in this movie are child-like but not cartoon-ish. This is destined to be an instant DVD “must-have”. I give this movie two thumbs up and a "go get the refill popcorn yourself!" yodi-va
pp-edit: Disney and Pixar have not signed a contract renewal as yet. I hope no one bought Disney stock due to this review. :) Actually, I don't recommend buying stock in Disney anyway.
f mcdonald said...
We rebel at the final choice at the end of the story because it is unthinkable from an adult’s perspective. But it makes sense.
I am intrigued by that statement. I don't remember the Narnia stories well at all and was not inclined to see the movie but your enthusiasm is contagious.
Looks like the McDonalds will be going to the movies together for the first time since The Passion of the Christ was released!
8:52 PM
Polycarp said...
Sounds like a good movie!
9:11 PM
spankthatdonkey said...
Thanks for the Link, I will do the same!!
10:28 AM
f mcdonald said...
Saw the movie tonight and it was even better than I expected. I was so touched by Edmond's betrayal and redemption.
One little boy walked into the theatre clutching his Narnia books. As we were leaving another boy could hardly contain himself, "That was the best movie ever! Ever! Ever!"
Thank you C. S. Lewis for this timeless gift and Disney for translating it into film.
9:59 PM
Labels: movies
posted by Anonymous at 5:23 PM
3 Comments:
We rebel at the final choice at the end of the story because it is unthinkable from an adult’s perspective. But it makes sense.
I am intrigued by that statement. I don't remember the Narnia stories well at all and was not inclined to see the movie but your enthusiasm is contagious.
Looks like the McDonalds will be going to the movies together for the first time since The Passion of the Christ was released!
Thanks for the Link, I will do the same!!
Saw the movie tonight and it was even better than I expected. I was so touched by Edmond's betrayal and redemption.
One little boy walked into the theatre clutching his Narnia books. As we were leaving another boy could hardly contain himself, "That was the best movie ever! Ever! Ever!"
Thank you C. S. Lewis for this timeless gift and Disney for translating it into film.
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