The long-awaited screen adaptation of author C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is here at last, and it doesn’t disappoint.
Born Nov. 29, 1898, in Belfast, Lewis was a close friend and colleague of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “The Lord of the Rings.” Among Lewis’ long and impressive list of works are a series of seven books collectively entitled “The Chronicles of Narnia,” written between 1950 and 1956.
The film version of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” features the four Pevensie siblings, Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Peter (William Moseley) and Susan (Anna Popplewell), who are forced to leave London to escape the horror of World War II and must adapt themselves to their new lives. They find a special wardrobe that works as a vortex connecting to a different dimension, an amazing and magical world called Narnia. The young Pevensies embark on an adventure in this strange land, which is in the grip of an eternal winter controlled by the White Witch (Tilda Swinton).
One of the remarkable things about this movie is that, watching it, we can really appreciate how technical advances in filmmaking have increased within the last decade. Incredible landscapes, unimaginable in films 15 years ago, have become almost standard fare in theaters.
Computer graphics are definitely the strongest point in this film, which features a relatively unknown cast. Aslan the lion and other creatures designed with computer animation not only look real but also do a good job of connecting with the audience. The film is technically perfect, and the voices are all outstanding.
With a lull in box offices since “The Lord of the Rings,” Hollywood has been trying for new blockbusters that attract all audiences – family films that show important values and lessons while entertaining all ages. It has succeeded with “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Let’s hope that this film’s quality is a taste of things to come, and not an exception.
