Time-Out for Faith
| Category: General, Music and Movies, Chomping on Books | 6 Comments
Believe what you want.
Know this.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion Witch, and the Wardrobe was an 85 page book written nearly three score years ago. PBS did a version of the first three in the late ’80’s. And now, the first serious attempt has been made to recreate a story that enchanted me since the late ’80’s.
The attempt worked. TLMEK has been VERY excited to see this movie since the first trailers started making their way out at the end of summer. She has read the books 6.02214 x 10 ^23 times, and I warned her:
“Please don’t be disappointed if the movie doesn’t live up to your gianormous expectations.”
Boy, do I feel silly. This movie was excellent. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, but the story was told well. True, Clive can be a little dry at times, and the movie took awhile to take off, but as soon as we got all four children through the wardrobe, I was enchanted. Here’s why…
1) The actress playing Lucy was adorable. I wanted to take her home in a very baby-fever sort of way. Of course, TLMEK and I would have to move to the UK, so our little Maggie ( 
) would grow up British.
2) The CG was MUCH better than I thought it would be. Talking animals are talking animals, but it didn’t feel as clunky as I was expecting. They were not over the top; nor did they did not take away from the movie. I hope this means that we’re turning the corner of just-having-special-effects-for-special-effect’s-sake and learning how to integrate them more.
3) The story stayed close to the oringinal, and resident archivist TLEMK said the changes were neglible enough that she didn’t feel slighted. (ARE YOU LISTENING HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE? Stop, I know 85 pages versuses 700 pages is a lot different.)
4) Have a I mentioned how cute Lucy was? It hurt my heart. It may have grown three times its regular size.
Walden Media has optioned all seven movies, and most reviews expect the movies to get better as Narnia establishes itself, just as the ‘Arry Pottery Barn movies have.
So, go out and watch this movie.
Believe a little.
Have some faith in myth, and suspend reality for a bit.
We could all use a little of that every now again.
