A wonderful movie... but I confess I longed for a PG-13 Narnia.

First the good:
Great opening, wonderful selection of music during hide and seek. Mr. Tumnus, the Beavers and Aslan were all wonderful. Jadis was excellent, but could have been shown inflicting more damage... obviously risking a PG-13 rating. I was very pleased with the license the director took in increasing the role and intensity with the wolves.

The "could have been better"...
-Acting sometimes did not connect with the situation.
-Disappointed there was not a little more of a connection with the army Aslan frees from Jadis' castle. No giant Rumblebuffin (actually a one second cut).
The movie will be intense for kids and many adults. However, the final battle scene lacked the desperation and near hopelessness of the situation before the arrival of Aslan. Peter's reaction during the retreat was barely believable for me. I think I was wanting to feel a hopelessness shattered by Aslan's triumphant return with "resurrected" army. Also, following the battle, one did not feel the carnage of the sacrifice and the desperation for Lucy's gift of healing to be shared. Instead, we see Lucy smiling as she dances off to help a fallen goat man... I think the only injury in the camera's view.
I realize I am being hard on the movie for something it could not produce while still being entitled a PG rating. My hope is that there will be an extended DVD rated PG-13.