1. If the world seems a bit calmer tonight it is because Walt Disney has, at least for the moment, stopped spinning in his grave. I seriously think this is the first movie in a very long time to be associated with the Disney name, which Uncle Walt would not only have approved of, but would have been extremely proud of.
2. It struck me at the end of this movie that I could not remember the last time I attended a flick which had the audience applauding at the end.
3. As stated elsewhere on this thread, the battle scenes may not be as choreographed as dramatically as some more recent productions, but the cineophiles will definately recognize the tip of the hat that the opening scenes of the battle pay to the 1970 movie, Waterloo.
4. Liam Neeson makes a decent Aslan. I can think of a select few whose voices may have been better...Connery, Patrick Stewart. Somehow a British Isles accent seems right since Lewis was English, and the lion symbol is so strongly identified with the British Empire and throughout English heraldry. Had Aslan been a Grizzly bear, an American accent would have been the way to go (Jacka Palance or Eastwood). I hated Roger Moore as James Bond, but his accent and voice do have a sophistication and dignity which may have been optimum for Aslan.
5. The first time I saw the trailer for this pic, I was stunned at how closely the images on the screen mirrored the images that had been formed in my mind's eye during my readings of TLTWATW. When those images started popping up on the screen, I relly felt like someone had been inside my skull. On reflection, I think it merely speaks to the power and discipline of the imagery in Lewis's writing and his ability to make his readers envision things exactly how he wants them to be imagined.
6. The special effects are a technical tour de force and yet, are skillfully incorporated to support and augment the telling of the story rather than overwhelming or becoming the story, a problem I've seen with many recent movies.
7. On first day at the Professor's house in the country, the Pevansie children are housebound due to heavy rains, which eventually prompts them to play hide and seek. The opening shot of this scene is of rain falling against a window while in the background, a radio broadcasts the latest war news, reporting German bomber strikes. The voice of the radio announcer is Doug Gresham, step-son of CS Lewis and co-producer of the movie.
Glad you enjoyed the movie, mate.
The very best part of it, for us Kiwis, is that "Narnia" is one of three movies, this year, filmed in New Zealand and likely to go to the Oscars and clean up.
The other two are "King Kong" and "The World's Fastest Indian".
This follows hard on the heels of New Zealand's other movie triumphs: "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Whale Rider". (I forgot: "The Piano" was also pretty good, a few years ago).
Not to mention New Zealand's TV triumphs, "Xena Warrior Princess", "Hercules" and yes "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers".
Yeah this is a shameless gloat, and an open invite. Our wee Nation has the population of greater Chicago, and we're located on two small islands in the South Pacific. We make great wine, cheese, olive oil, avocados and lamb. And our wonderful seafood needs to be experienced to be believed.
We are quiet achievers, we don't make alot of noise. Our Rugby team, the All Blacks, dominate their sport internationally, as do our Netball team, the Silver Ferns, as do our Softball team, the Black Sox, and our cricket team, the Black Caps.
Come visit us DownUnder, and have a good ol' squizz at our Country, do a Narnia tour, or a Lord of the Rings tour. you will be amazed, and you will be made to feel most welcome. Because you are.
The US dollar goes a very long way DownUnder in NZ. If you have spare time after your visit here, maybe check out West Island (Australia) but I wouldn't bother: OZ is a great country but you'll have more fun here.
Go on! Visit New Zealand for a change. Give Hawaii and Europe a rest: been there, done that. Accept our Nation's Hospitality, and have a wonderful time while you're at it.
kids, kids, kids were all looking forward to this film. i am eager to see if the numbers add up.
i HAD noticed douglas gresham's radio announcer role. he was satisfied with the film, according to all reports. i despise disney; i really love walden media, however, and feel that walden should be credited for the success of this film, rather than the opportunists at disney.
wow...i thought it was great...yes, there were things to pick at (i missed the lewis line from the book about being so foolish as to get locked into a wardrobe...i wanted FATHER CHRISTMAS to be identified as such, rather than just the santa claus image...but oh well)
i read the hateful box office mojo review of LWTW, and believe there is no way you can see this film as Christian propaganda, unless you want to. to say it is too violent for small children....sheesh! this is the same kind of treatment "passion" received, even as an overtly religious film.
we WILL see it again!!! and again!!! the time flew!
and didn't you think the film was surprisingly and endearingly FUNNY? of course, lewis has that sweet dry wit, but to see it transposed to the screen was charming...absolutely charming....the BEAVERS, contrary to box office mojo's opinion, were absolute scene stealers...we actually laughed out loud many times, something i rarely do at films! SUPERB!