NARNIA: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe by Ryan
This was abba-solutely one of the films I most anticipated this year. The trailer was kickass and I kept thinking of that cartoon version from 1979 and how badly it made me wanna eat Turkish Delight.
This moo-vie was fantastic. You find yourself lit’rally holding baited breath as little Lucy finally wanders into the wardrobe. Narnia is amazing… it reminded me of when Dorothy exited her black and white house for the colorful land of Oz. Mr. Tumnus was cool and the kids are terrific, but the show is effortlessly stolen by Tilda Swinton’s White Witch… she’s more of a revelation here than even Claire Danes in Shopgirl (which Caroline and I have yet to see).
Here’s the dizzy with this flick tho: The Lion, Aslan, should really have just been named Jesus. I mean, c’mon people. The whole “I’m sacrificing myself and dying for your sins” shtick is SO Passion of the Christ. I know the story’s author, C.S. Lewis was a prolific Christian writer; however, shot for shot here was Mel Gibson’s vision… resurrection and all. But the final Xtian straw had to be Santa Claus handing deadly weapons to the kids.
Ok, off the spiritual soapbox. You’ll dig this film. I recommend with a huge smile.
Anonymous March 9, 2006
well, duh– that was the entire point of Lewis’ series. It’s an allegory; a way of relating the story of the Resurrection in a way that children would find appealing and intellectually stimulating. Similarly, The Magician’s Nephew tells the story of the Creation; The Last Battle recounts the return of the L-rd. Complaining that Narnia was too derivative of Passion of the Christ is like complaining that The Wiz was too derivative of The Wizard of Oz. Frankly, if you hate christianity, you really have no business enjoying this movie.
Sophia March 9, 2006
True, Lewis’ point was a theological one, but cut Ryaline some slack; this blog is about movies, not the Bible! So, it makes sense Ryaline would compare a movie like this to another movie with a similar theme; it’s a blog about movies (duh)! AND for you to derive from this review that anyone hates Christianity means you really must have missed the point. Ryaline gave this movie a glowing review, which is not something an anti-Christian would do (duh)! I suggest a re-read and a time out. Lastly, as a person of deep faith, I take huge offense that you would try to determine who has the right to enjoy this movie. The Gospel was written for all (duh)!
Ryaline (Ryan & Caroline) March 9, 2006
We don’t hate. We appreciate. And we know it’s allegorical… that’s why the post states “I know” Lewis was a prolific Christian writer. Our opinion of this film is clear in the post.Thanks for reading our blog!-Ryaline