Review of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) by Gavin C — 29 Jun 2013

When I was a child, I read the book at elementary school and did a little play about it with some friends I knew. Then, when I heard that Disney was going to made a live-action adaptation, I became so excited, but my attempts failed, so I had to wait until I had to get it on dvd and two years later, during Christmas, I finally got it and watched it. After that, I had a smile on my face because this movie is exactly as I expected it to be: an epic and faithful adaptation of the novel from a beloved author. My only nitpick is that it is slow, ut there isn't anything else to fault this classic.

The story is original and follows the book really well and the music from Harry Gregson Williams is excellent it gives the movie an epic feel to it. The direction from Andrew Adamson is excellent and builds a lot of tense and atmosphere to the darker tone of the film; the scenery and cinematography are beautiful and are true to the visual style of Narnia. The action sequences are the epitome of epic it would take your very breath away including the final battle against the White Witch of Narnia. The script is witty and refreshing with humor and a lot of heart to it; the special effects are solid too, but the strongest part would have to go to the cast.

Georgie Henley is an appealing Lucy, Skandar Keynes is a jerk, but likeable Edmund, William Moseley is a noble and brave Peter and Anna Popplewell is a kind-spirited Susan. The narnian creatures are wonderful and the voice acting from the likes of Ray Winstone, Dawn French and Liam Neeson who did a great job as the king of Narnia himself, Aslan. James McAvoy is a terrific Mr. Tumnus, but Tilda Swinton steals the show for her chilling performance as the evil Jadis, the White Witch of Narnia.

Overall, The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe is a classic to a successful franchise and I would definitely recommend this to those who haven't seen it yet.