|
 |
 |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
[Back to index of February articles] REVIEW: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe By Beth Lambdin "It's too dark!" yelled a little girl as the endless commercials and previews finally faded from the screen and the lights dimmed for the feature film. Was it the lack of light in the theatre or something else she feared? I like to see films without preconceived notions, but the hype about "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," was impossible to ignore. Not since Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," had a film garnered so much attention from the religious community. Conservative Christians trumpeted the film as an epic tale of good versus evil and used it as a recruitment tool for evangelism. Web sites like "Sermon Central: Narnia Outreach Ideas for Churches," encouraged the faithful to spread the good word. Mainstream ministers also preached about Narnia from their pulpits. So I wondered, is the film just a Christian allegory or does it have more universal appeal? Serious adult questions to ponder for a kid's film. The author of the "Narnia Chronicles," Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis (known as "Jack") is viewed as a Christian writer. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1898 to an affluent family that encouraged creativity and reading (favorite books included "Treasure Island" and "The Secret Garden"). His happy childhood ended at age 9 when his mother died and he was sent to a series of brutal boarding schools; these experiences scarred him for life. Lewis came to his Christian faith only after years of struggle and then as a "dejected and reluctant convert" while a literary scholar at Oxford. Much of Lewis's adult life (especially his late-life romance with Joy Gresham) is captured in the fine film, "Shadowlands," starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. Lewis also wrote science fiction and was friends with J.R.R. Tolkien (who disliked the Narnia books). The "Narnia Chronicles" (his only books for children) were largely panned by the critics when first published in 1950, but have appealed to kids for decades selling over a million copies world-wide. Lewis said that the "Narnia Chronicles" were not planned out, but started with a few pictures in his head, an image of a faun in the woods, a massive antique wardrobe. And, it's the images that are most striking in this $150 million Hollywood production of C.S. Lewis meets Disney. Andrew Adamson directs a straightforward story of good triumphing over evil. Four English siblings, Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy Pevensie (unknowns William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Anna Popplewell and Georgie Henley) are sent to the countryside for safekeeping as bombs rain down on WWII London (Lewis provided a safe haven for such children during the war). They live with a reclusive professor (Jim Broadbent) and during a game of hide-and-seek discover an old wardrobe. The children go through the wardrobe and cross over into Narnia, an enchanted land where animals speak and "it's always Winter, never Christmas." An evil White Witch (excellent and terrifying Tilda Swinton) oppresses the locals who wait desperately for the return of Aslan (lion in Turkish), the lion-king in exile. The Narnians call the children, "Sons of Adam" and "Daughters of Eve," and herald them as saviors. With Aslan's help, the Pevensies can fulfill a prophecy that will liberate Narnia. But, there's one huge obstacle in the way - the wicked Witch and her sinister shenanigans. She entices Edmund to betray those he loves. She turns dissenters to stone with a flick of her magic wand. We know (thanks to preview spoilers) that there will be a final shoot-out, which will involve a "heroic" battle with much bloodshed and loss of life (just once, I'd like to see good triumph over evil in a non-violent manner). Clearly, the film is loaded with Christian symbolism. Edmund's a traitor, Aslan is Christ-like, and the Witch Devil-like and the kids are descendants of Adam and Eve. The film portrays allegories about the "truth" of Christ and a resurrection. But, is it more than that? There are also themes that are universal and archetypal in scope like the nature of redemption, the battle of good versus evil, and the problem of pain and temptation. Secular audiences can enjoy "Narnia" too as an adventure film filled with cool symbols. But, how good a film is it? The special effects dazzle. Filmed in New Zealand with the help of the special effects companies that worked on the "Lord of the Rings Triology" and the "Star Wars" films, "Narnia" is stunning to look at. But, how can a movie filled with satyrs, griffons, centaurs, unicorns, witches and talking animals be so little fun? Where's the whimsy? This faithful adaptation is too somber, too scary, too long and needs to lighten up. Guess that youngster was prescient when she yelled out, "It's too dark." Lambdin is a freelance writer who reviews movies every other month in Washington Window. She'd like to hear your comments at lambdinb@tontologic.com [Back to index of February articles]
|
|
||||||||||
