The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) dir. Andrew Adamson

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE 2005 • dir. Andrew Adamson

🐺 One of my favorite dramatic scenes from “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe” 🦁

Not Skandar Kaynes, Edmund himself, retweeting this clearly WRONG opinion 🤣😭

Like, would I betray my family over it? No, but lokums are AMAZING. Especially the rose and lemon flavours.

Peter, Lucy, Susan and Edmund's first days in NARNIA.

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For all of us who used tumblr in their native lenguages.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Things that feel like home:

cold and clear mountain streams, old books, crumpled parchment, summer rain storms, honeysuckle bushes, swimming in the ocean, the forest, deer, badgers, green rolling hills blossoming with wildflowers, white lace, a crooked smile, the trees talking with one another, warm tea, a cozy fireplace, music in the wind...Lucy Pevensie in Narnia..home

“I was there when it was written.” -Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

“I was there when He wrote it.” -Demon from The Cleansing Hour.

There’s something about those lines that I really like. I don’t know what it is.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Adapting C. S. Lewis’ classic novel into a live-action film was a daunting task. It would’ve been impossible a decade ago, but finally, the technology required to make it happen is here. The results have been worth the wait.

Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley) are evacuated to the country home of Professor Kirke (Jim Broadbent) to escape the dangers of World War II. While playing hide-and-go-seek, Lucy stumbles upon a wardrobe like none other: its doors lead to the realm of Narnia. Inside this land where winter has no end, the cruel White Witch (Tilda Swinton) rules, but her “subjects” know it’s only a matter of time before two daughters of Eve and two sons of Adam, along with the lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson) comes to their rescue.

Between the extended version, which runs a mere 5 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, and the one you saw in theaters, I say go with the original. The additional footage doesn’t add much. The most noticeable change are a few quick shots of the White Queen sending harpies into battle (they look decent, but I suspect they were cut because they stand out against the rest of her army). My only other significant criticism (applicable to both versions) is that, at times, the child actors are only so-so. The exception is Skandar Keynes, who brings depth to Edmund - a character that could’ve easily been one-dimensional. You can forgive this flaw in the same way you did in the early Harry Potter films, but it’s worth noting.

This is a great family film. It’s got exciting battle scenes and likable characters both adults and children can relate to. C.S. Lewis’ story could’ve easily been lost in the flurry of special effects, but amid the crazy creatures and exotic locations, the heart and drama that made this story a favorite remain. Surrounding the child actors and amplified by special effects are a great cast of seasoned performers, including James McAvoy, Ray Winstone, Dawn French and Michael Madsen. There was care poured into this picture, and it shows.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has something for everyone. Lovers of fantasy will be impressed by the  mythological creatures (which include everything from great-looking centaurs and griffins to hideous monsters at the service of the White Witch). Children will enjoy the whimsical story, the frequent close calls as our heroes dodge danger at every turn, and the character growth. Adults will love Tilda Swinton as the villain, who always remains the most imposing and frightening figure on-screen. They’ll also admire the handling of this sophisticated story. It’s a plot complex enough to keep you entertained, but not so much that young audiences won’t be able to keep up.

The Chronicles of Narnia makes me think of The NeverEnding Story; another fantasy adventure that compliments its source material by bringing the visuals to stunning life and preserving what made the story endure. I'll even call it "good for the kids" because it takes them seriously. There are intense moments that allows for a full range of emotions but its tried-and-true themes mean young ones won't be overwhelmed. When you catch it, make sure you stick around for the credits. There’s a scene midway hinting at more to come. (Extended version on DVD, July 21, 2017)

C.S. Lewis, from “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”