ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

IF YOU HAVEN’T planned that Christmas family outing yet, then you must make a point of seeing ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe’.

This magical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel has a sense of wonder and innocence that make it an ideal children’s film. Spectacular, snow-covered locations, a wicked witch, a wise lion and a titanic battle between good and evil all combine in an epic film that should bring a whole new generation of readers to the Narnia books.

Evacuated from London at the height of the Blitz, four children are left to roam the corridors of a country house. During a game of hide and seek, young Lucy (Georgie Hensley) enters an old wardrobe and finds herself in the enchanted kingdom of Narnia where winter has reigned for a hundred years.

The Kingdom is ruled by the powerful White Witch, Jadis (a chilling Tilda Swinton), but the children are part of a prophecy that spells her doom. Soon, they have joined forces with the Christ-like figure of the lion, Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), in a revolt against Jadis.

Filled with visual spectacle and death-defying adventure, ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia’ lacks the depth and narrative complexity of something like ‘Lord Of The Rings’, but it is hugely engaging and has a very strong human cast that includes the delightful Georgie Hensley as Lucy, James McAvoy as gentlemanly faun Mr Tumnus, and James Cosmo as Father Christmas.

Given that there are six more titles in the Narnia series, this could be the start of an awfully big adventure.

Nationwide release
Director: Andrew Adamson
Stars: Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Jim Broadbent, James Cosmo
Screenplay: Andrew Adamson, Ann Peacock, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, based on the novel by C.S.Lewis
Certificate: PG
Running time: 140 mins
Country: US
Year: 2005

© Allan Hunter, 2005