Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – When Hide and Seek Goes Wrong, Terribly Wrong

Actually, hide and seek goes wonderfully right in this latest version of the fantasy classic from C.S. Lewis. For previous generations the Narnia series and the LOTR trilogy were the Gold Standard, as the Saga of Harry Potter has become for the current crop of young readers of fantasy. This film adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe does a very credible job of translating the wonder of the written word to the screen, using all the strengths of current film making to do so.

The music is appropriately non-intrusive and supporting. The cinematography is intimate or grand as needed. The CGI effects are extraordinary, creating an especially believable Aslan and Family Beaver. While these artistic realizations may pale compared to the images and sounds you’ve imagined from reading the story, it would be beggarly to complain too much. The filmmakers really have done a wonderful job of keeping the small small while making the grand very grand indeed.

While shot in New Zealand, the film has an appropriately veddy, veddy British tone; from a time when a wardrobe held clothing rather than being the entertainment-bearing armoire it has become. For those unfamiliar with the story, The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe tells the tale of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy – four children removed from the danger of war torn London, only to find themselves in a war of their own in the wardrobe. A short but thorough summary of the plot is (SPOILER ALERT)here.

At it’s core lies an age old question for children: Whom do you trust? It’s a story of gullibility and innocence transformed by challenge and necessity, and of taking responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions. Watching Edmund slowly change from a sullen, uncooperative “troubled child” into a young man, aware of his failings and the troubles he’s caused and working fiercely to make it all right, is one of the more engaging and satisfying themes of the Narnia story and is well presented in the movie.

The performances were quite competent on the whole with two notable exceptions that rose above mere competency. The first was by Georgie Henley as Lucy. What a pleasure to see a child actress playing a child. It’s hard to believe this is Ms. Henley’s first major film, not only because she is so authentic but also because she seems so darn familiar. She doesn’t just play a child’s role; she plays it as a child would play it. I had to keep my self from laughing as I tried to imagine Dakota Fanning as Lucy, or any of the pre-pubescent set of “little people” we’ve grown accustomed to playing children. Kudos to the casting director for choosing well and wisely.

The second was the performance of the incomparable Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch. With a gift for rising to challenging roles (she’s played many male/female and gender bending leads, a la Hillary Swank) and for making a good role better, she exudes evil, but in small, terrifying ways. She manages to convey volumes with an economy of motion and expression you wish you’d see more often on film. Watch her eyes whenever she’s on screen. If you’re like me, you’ll want to crawl through the back of your seat so she won’t notice you.

We can easily recommend The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to all. Those familiar with the story will not be disappointed and those brand new to the franchise will be happy they went as well. I think if it had not been preceded by so many films of this type – everything from Star Wars to LOTR – I’d be falling over myself singing its praises. As it is, I think it is a very good family film in the best possible sense. Lines like, “He’s a beaver! He shouldn’t be talking!” and “We’re not heroes. We’re from Finchley.” shouldn’t go over too many youngsters’ heads, while remaining enjoyable for the parental units that bring them.

For matching wonder with lessons in what it means to grow up, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe holds it’s own with the Potter Monster quite well, thank you very much. Check it out for yourself and see if you don’t agree.