matrixrefugee: the word 'refugee' in electric green with a background of green matrix code (Aslan)
[personal profile] matrixrefugee
****** out of ***** (Yes, I know that's 6 out of 5 stars: It's that good!)

Whoa.

WHOA!

This does for C. S. Lewis what Peter Jackson did for Tolkien: I'd seen the old "WonderWorks" made-for-Canadian-TV version, which was broadcast on PBS years ago, and while that was okay for its time, this made-for-the-big-screen blows it out of the water! Utterly pitch-perfect. Visually stunning. I can't get over how they made it all look so *REAL*!

The four young actors and actresses who play the Pevensie children are splendid, but I think the most exquisite is the little girl who played Lucy. She's such a dear, you honestly want to hug her! (I'm told that when they filmed the scene where Lucy first steps out of the wardrobe and into the snowy woods, that the young lady playing the part hadn't seen the set for it until that very moment, so her wonder and surprise were more than mere acting.)

Tilda Swinton's White Witch... whoa... scary and poised and oddly attractive. I thought Ms. Swinton was an odd choice for the part, since she's built rather slender and androgynous-looking, but she turned out a splendid performance that sends shivers down your spine even as you have a hard time taking your eyes off her...

And Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan. Wow! Does it get any better? I know some critics have said that a growlier voice would have been more fitting, but I can't imagine anyone else. You get the feeling that he's "not a tame lion", but there's a warmth in that voice that doesn't swamp the character's commanding presence.

And the fellow who played Mr. Tumnus the faun... Awwww! He's so schweet! Another character you just want to cuddle. Or dance with! (Yeah, I'm crushing on him, can'tcha tell?)

I laughed at the funny parts, my pulse pounded through the battle scenes (very, very reminiscent of similar battle scenes from LOTR, and I think they were filmed in New Zealand, too... Hey, Narnia could be the eastern shore of Middle Earth, for all we know...). I cried with joy at the scene where Father Christmas arrives in Narnia for the first time in 100 years. And I was weeping real tears first of sorrow, then of joy at Aslan's death and resurrection.

I've dreamed of there being a *GOOD* movie version of this classic that I grew up with, and now that dream has come true.

Now if they'd do a movie version of C.S. Lewis's "Space Trilogy"....

Date: 2006-04-12 02:08 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
What do you suppose would be the age-appropriateness of the movie? I've half a mind to show it to Kidlet but I don't want to petrify him, lol...he's 5, do you think that's too young?
(We need to get together on AIM sometime soon, luv, I miss you!)

~Ruby

Date: 2006-04-12 08:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] matrixrefugee.livejournal.com
Hm... I'm always a bit prudent when it comes to judging what's right for what age group... I'd say age seven or eight for this one, unless you watch it with the little fella. And mind you, it's that kind of movie that the whole family can really enjoy together, it's *that* well done!

Sorry I've been a no-show on AIM: I've been wrapped up playing the "Matrix Online", trying to get my character levelled up so she can *finally* load her Scattershot (ie. sub-machinegun specialist) ability. She's a few hundred XP shy of the next level, even though I've been running missions like crazy.

Date: 2006-04-13 01:59 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Hm, might just rent it then (not sure if it's out over here yet...) I remember reading the book when I was little and locking myself in my parent's wardrobe by accident afterward, lol-- and didn't, oh I don't know, PBS or somebody make a miniseries of it years and years ago?

~Ruby

Date: 2006-04-12 11:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faire-damsel.livejournal.com
"****** out of ***** (Yes, I know that's 6 out of 5 stars: It's that good!) Whoa. WHOA! This does for C. S. Lewis what Peter Jackson did for Tolkien"


All I Can Add To This Is........

"YUP!" ::G::

Date: 2006-04-12 04:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] madra-liath.livejournal.com
Liam was fantastic, wasn't he? *melts*

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