25th May, 2006

DAVID ADAMS

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

In a word: Magnificent

A NEW WORLD: Peter, Susan and Lucy face off with the minions of the evil White Witch.PICTURE: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. and WALDEN MEDIA, LLC. All rights reserved. "The visually stunning film adaptation of the best-selling book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a masterpiece with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy travelling into a land that looks as if it just leapt out of Lewis’ imagination."

There’s something about C.S. Lewis’ series of Narnia books that arrested my imagination as a child and it’s a testament to the quality of the Andrew Adamson-directed film that I had the same feeling of excitement while watching it.

The visually stunning film adaptation of the best-selling book, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a masterpiece with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy travelling into a land that looks as if it just leapt out of Lewis’ imagination.

Sure there are drawbacks. One of the strongest memories I have of the book is the smell of fish frying when the children visit Mr and Mrs Beaver’s house. Smell is not something that travels easily onto the screen. But, those sort of limitations aside, this is a film which fans will be thankful closely resembles the book in all its aspects.

Many already know the story - how four children are sent to live with their uncle in a country house during the Blitz in London in World War II and while there stumble across a wardrobe through which they can access the fantastic world of Narnia. They soon discover that Narnia lies in permanent winter under the cruel rule of the White Witch.

But all is not lost, for Aslan, the Great Lion, is about and the children, helped by his allies - the free creatures of Narnia - soon find themselves playing an integral role in restoring the right order of things in the land.

The story is filled with allusions to the Gospels and Christ’s sacrifice for humanity and while it’s possible to watch this film without even being aware of its Christian connection, the underlying truths that are presented here speak to the very heart of the human condition whether we know it consciously or not.

Backed by an enchanting soundtrack, beautifully crafted computer animation plays a key role in helping to bring to life the myriad of amazing creatures that populate Narnia and its human stars - William Moseley as Peter, Anna Popplewell as Susan, Skandar Keynes as Edmund and Georgie Henley as Lucy - do a great job of bringing Lewis’ characters leaping off the page and onto the screen.

Tilda Swinton is great as the evil White Witch and self-styled Queen of Narnia, Jadis, and Liam Neeson’s voice carries sufficient gravitas for him to step into the character of Aslan (well, his voice at least). Mr Tumnus, played by James McAvoy, is also a standout.

The DVD also features some entertaining “bloopers” and a Narnia “fun facts” feature in which fact boxes - such as when Lewis published his first Narnia book - pop up during the movie (although I can only imagine you’d want this feature turned on during a second viewing).

This film will be enjoyed by all ages and while the books remain the best way to enter Lewis’ Narnia, it will open up the classic writings to a whole new audience.

Can’t wait for the second instalment in the series - Prince Caspian - to be released next year!

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