I always thought that the BBC's LWW would be THE face of Narnia. Then, I went to a movie with my friends in June or July of 2005, and saw the preliminary trailer for the Walden movie. It almost literally took my breath away. The sets, the actors/actresses, the special effects, and- most importantly- Aslan! I instantly fell in love.

I've always loved the Narnia books, and had appreciated C.S. Lewis's series for years without knowledge of a movie of my favorite series. I watched the BBC production, which enthralled my younger self. I then read and watched the accompanying stories. However, as I got older, I started to wish that, with the growing technology, that some big movie company would take Narnia and make it great. I wished that Narnia would be transformed from a series of kiddie books/movies, into a blockbusting hit.

On December 9, 2005, all of my wishes were granted. I'd waited in great suspense for the day when I'd see the new Narnia movie. On the way to the theater, I prepared myself to be disappointed. Afterall, my standards were extremely high. No sense in getting myself worked up. I got my ticket, and found the theater. After endless previews, the Walden Media logo appeared, and I was transported to 1940s London.

Through the course of the movie, I saw each and every one of my expectations met. I was absolutely ecstatic as the credits rolled. The characters were exactly as I had always imagined them. The land was even better than my fantasies, and the soundtrack complimented the movie perfectly. It was all of my dreams fulfilled.

I'm usually hard on myself when appraising movies I've seen. I don't let myself get biased by anticipation or favorites. I tried to do that with LWW. I tired to look for a flaw. I couldn't find one. I scoured reviews, and they all had flimsy criticism that poked holes in itself later on. This film is one the most remarkable things I've ever seen.

Some people would say, "You've been a fan of the books forever. Aren't you just partial?" Yes, I am. But what all of the LOTR fans who say that that series was the best? Are they not partial? I'm not bashing LOTR, I myself rather am a fan. But LOTR lacks the strong message of love and forgiveness that Narnia emanates from every perspective. One person willingly giving their life for an unworthy other. Love in the face of black- hearted treachery. Forgiveness in an unforgivable situation. These are what makes The Chronicles of Narnia the best stories ever written.

In a world where it's everyone for themselves and their sometimes selfish motives, LWW shone as an example of how beautiful is the world- and family- with love. The spiritual allegories have led thousands to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and I think that there is no better way to meet God than through one of the works of one of the world's greatest theologians.

The decision of Tumnus' to let Lucy go has caused some people to ask questions. Why did Tumnus let Lucy go? He could have gotten a pretty sum of money for her. That shows society's dependence on money. Edmund's betrayal was also an example. It was done for power and rank. Narnia reintroduces the concept of following strictly set values that I think this world needs. But most importantly, Aslan's sacrifice left some puzzled. "I would never have done that...", "Why?", and "Who'd do a thing like that?" were all things I heard coming out of a showing. Well, simply, put, the answer is: love.

Love. This four- letter is thrown around pretty flippantly. We've lost the meaning of love. I believe that through the world of Narnia, our world might be exposed to the unfathomable love that we all need. After all, aren't the greatest lessons in life taught to us through fairy tales and stories? We learn better when we aren't conciously learning. That is what Walden has brought into Narnia.

The main themes could have been cut. There could have been a lot less love and a whole lot more blood and guts. But it was all the filmmaker's choice. And Walden chose to keep everything. It might have made everthing a bit more expensive to live up to Lewis's standards, but wasn't it worth it? Without this love, Narnia is dead. And I think that's why Narnia exists. Because someone believed that everyone should have a chance to see that there is an all- covering, unconditional, never- ending love that they can have like Edmund. And in this thought, I have only one thing left to say:

C.S. Lewis was a genius.