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← All reviews of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Review by Rae

4.5 / 5

*some minor spoilers*

First off, Narnia is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie got me hooked on Narnia immediately. It was a dream to me. Since I have seen it many, many times, I have found some points to be critical.

I don't have any real problems with the movie, but after watching many, many times I do have a few problems.

I also agree that the fight between Peter and Maugrim could have been done better. Peter is my favorite good guy, and Maugrim is my favorite bad. I thought that Maugrim died because he ran into Peter's sword. This is supposed to be the changing moment in Peter's character, and I thought that they should have made the fight a little more epic.

As for the frozen waterfall scene, I thought it was important to Peter's character, but to me he seemed too scared and saved his family by accident.

I didn't like how the children got into the wardrobe the second time. I just can't imagine them all running away and not taking responsibility for their actions. They seemed too much like little children.

My last problem was the character of Susan. Anna is one of my favorite actresses, which is why I didn't end up hating the character. To me, she seemed to bratty and mean to her siblings, especially Peter. She seemed to create more problems instead of solving them. I also didn't like Peter's character in the beginning towards Edmund. The first argument seemed cruel. I know that they are fighting, but he seemed to mean in the beginning, showing no compassion towards Edmund or his father.

As for the actors, I loved them all, especially giving how the children did not have much acting experience. They seemed to really fit together as a family. William was a very good Peter, playing the role of the big brother well. I liked how he started as a boy, and became the High King of Narnia. Anna was good in the role of Susan, though I hope that they do more with the character in PC. Skandar was very good as Edmund as well, especially when he was betraying his family. The rebellious brother seemed to be a perfect fit for him, but I felt that once he learned his lesson, his acting performance faltered very slightly. Georgie was amazing. She was so perfect, so cute! She really fit Lucy.

The first time seeing this movie was a dream for me. It really started a new obsession for me. I can't wait for Prince Caspian.

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Category scores

Directing5
Acting5
Screenplay4
Cinematography4
Music (Score)5
Art Direction4
Costume Design5
Make-Up5
Special Effects4
Editing4

Cast

Liam Neesonas Aslan5
William Moseleyas Peter Pevensie5
Anna Popplewellas Susan Pevensie4
Georgie Henleyas Lucy Pevensie5
Skandar Keynesas Edmund Pevensie4
James McAvoyas Mr. Tumnus5
Ray Winstoneas Mr. Beaver5
Dawn Frenchas Mrs. Beaver5
Rupert Everettas Fox4
James Cosmoas Father Christmas5
Tilda Swintonas The White Witch5
Kiran Shahas Ginarrbrik4
Michael Madsenas Maugrim5
Patrick Kakeas Oreius4
Shane Rangias Otmin5
Jim Broadbentas Professor Kirke5
Elizabeth Hawthorneas Mrs. Macready4
Judy McIntoshas Mrs. Pevensie5

Moments & details

Andrew Adamson in bringing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the big screen5
The realism of the computer-generated creatures and armies of Narnia4
The opening bombing-raid scenes in London4
The realization of Lucy meeting Mr. Tumnus on screen5
The addition of the escape on the icy river by Peter, Susan and Lucy5
The realization of meeting Aslan for the first time on screen4
The realization of The Stone Table on screen4
The Battle at the Fords of Beruna5
The resurrection of Aslan4
The final sequence at Cair Paravel5
The Hunt for the White Stag4
The emotional effect of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe5
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