Narnia Movie Review

Halfway through the movie, my 9-year old nephew Sam turned to his dad and said, “This is the best movie I have ever seen in my life!” And, he repeated that claim when the movie was over. A brief survey of the modest-sized group of friends and family who attended the movie with my family revealed the same sentiment – everyone liked it, and no one was disappointed – and I was thrilled!

As you know, if you have read my other blogs or the REAP Team newsletter, I am a huge fan of the Chronicles of Narnia books, and have been eagerly anticipating the first movie, “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” which opened in theaters this past weekend. I am such a huge fan that I made my wife and four kids arrive at the theater at 6:15 p.m. for a 7:45 p.m. showing – but the payoff was that we were the first in line, and got the best seats in the theater.

The movie was awesome. It was, in my opinion, a faithful representation of the book, and that is all that any huge Narnia fan like me requires. Nothing disappointed me. From the awe-inspiring computer generated Aslan (the first fully computer generated lion ever), to the icy White Witch, to the great acting of the previously unknown child stars who played Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – I was delighted to see this literary classic on the big screen.

I recommend this movie for all people of all ages – whether you have read any of the books or not – for a couple of reasons.

First, it will spark your imagination. C.S. Lewis’ tale calls us all to embrace a healthy sense of fantasy, reflecting on what it would be like to enter another world, what mythical creatures would look and act like, and even what choices we all would make if we were put in a difficult situation.

Second, it is just plain fun. The movie will make you laugh, and it might even make you cry, but it will be an enjoyable time – whether you attend alone, or with a group of friends.

Third, it a Christian allegory. There are themes throughout the movie that cause us to reflect on virtue, heroism, forgiveness, good, evil, redemption, death, and resurrection. Any time we can reflect on these themes, it is a good thing, and can even be a sort-of evangelization or pre-evangelization tool for those who watch.

Fourth, it is an investment. If this movie does well at the box office (and it already has, by the way, taking in $67 million for second biggest debut ever in a weekend in December) see http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=media&storyID=nN11596039 then we are virtually guaranteed that the other books in the Chronicles of Narnia series will come to the big screen. And, that would fulfill a dream, not only of mine, but of millions of Narnia fans throughout the world!