Novel Reaction

I’m a little late with the report but life has been a little crazy lately, that being said let’s get down to the nitty gritty.  Remember that we are discussing the 2005 film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It has been some time since I watched the movie and I had forgotten how blown away I was by the film but watching it again brought it all back.

First, I love Georgie Henley as Lucy (I also love her as young Jane in the 2006 Jane Eyre adaption).  I think she does a great job of showing Lucy’s enthusiasm and innocence without being super annoying. Also, her confidence in herself and her feelings were great and showed through, especially when she is convincing the others that they have to help Mr. Tumnus after he is captured by the White Witch.  I think the reason Lucy is the first to enter Narnia is because she is the most likely to believe what is happening to her, a willingness to suspend disbelief. Remember, it only after they have been admonished by the Professor that Peter and Susan are able to get into Narnia through the Wardrobe.

What did you think of the movie’s portrayal of Aslan? The first time I watched the movie I was a little disappointed in the voice of the lion (for some reason I always heard James Earl Jones in my head with his deep gravely voice but admit I would just keep hearing “Luke, I am your father” if he was the voice of Aslan) but I have since grown to really like Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan. I think my favorite line of the books as well as the movie is “He’s not a tame lion.” I was disappointed that the first time we meet Aslan in the movie is when he comes out of the tent instead of being danced around by the fawns and dryads, like the book has the first meeting between the children and Aslan. I think the change did change the feeling of the Christian overtones because (I think) for most individuals waiting for the return of Christ, we would be celebrating in song and dance if He was with us again. However, having him come out of the tent did build up the tension and kept more of the feeling that he was apart from the rest of Narnia, separate but watching over them.

Initially I was disappointed in Tilda Swinton as the White Whitch, for some reason I had the phrase “terrible in her beauty” in my head in connection with the witch, I’m not sure if that is the book or just something rambling around in my brain but I didn’t feel like she did justice to the phrase to begin with. However, by the time we got the big battle and we see her all decked out in her warrior garb with the lion skull shaped helmet being pulled by the polar bears, I was convinced that she was perfect for the part (and I totally loved her double sword battle action).

My favorite scene of the movie is the Battle of Beruna, if there is one thing that Holleywood gets right it is the epic battle. There is something about seeing two large armies running towards each other, screaming their battle cries, that just sends chills up my spine and this film version did it right. My imagination never seems to do epic battles justice, when the horses are running and the griffins are flying above with Peter leading the charge on his pure white unicorn, something magical seems to be happening.

I have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised by how Hollywood has kept the Christian overtones in all the of the films. Granted, the Christian themes are a large part of the story but I didn’t feel like they were down played at all. I am glad they were able to include the strong theme of family, and how not matter what happens you work hard to make sure that you are all together. I love all three films, but what do you think?

Finally, I love the music in all three films (This is Home by Switchfoot on Prince Caspian is one of my all time favorite songs) so I thought I would leave you with this great song by Imogean Heap.