Lion, Witch, Wardrobe

So we saw "the movie," the movie that inspired this blog. Christianity Today gave it (only, surprisingly, but still significantly) 3 1/2 stars and I'd probably agree. It was wonderful to see my favorite story in a different medium---to see the characters fleshed out in actors, and the personality that was given to the children and the animals/creatures (all British personalities, hilariously & thankfully). I liked the fact that the sibling tensions were emphasized, and the fact that these kids were very ordinary ("We're from Finchley!") and yet were thrown into an epic medieval-style battle and expected to be heroes and royals. The coronation of the children was majestic, and I think my favorite part was the end, when it shows the four of them grown up in Narnia, and leaves it to you to imagine how wonderful growing up in Narnia would be. They've forgotten England by this time. It was also clear that the names the children received as kings and queens (Peter the Magnificent, Edmund the Just, Susan the Gentle, Lucy the Valiant), with the exception of Lucy, showed the healing of an area of weakness for that person---redemption, in other words. However...my worry about a movie version of this book (and I hear this was Lewis' worry, too) was how they would portray Aslan's awe-inspiring splendor...in the book it is up to your imagination and your sense of awe. CS Lewis inspires that awe of Aslan with his writing, his choice of words, but I don't think these filmmakers exactly used their artform to the same effect or success in that area. It may be more difficult to do it in film, although the special effects were great and he did look like a real and a talking lion at the same time. Aslan's "way of sorrows" to the Stone Table moved me as well as Lucy to tears. His redemption of these children from their everyday relationship problems and character flaws to become majestic heroes who overturn evil and fulfill prophecies and change the destiny of a country, well that is awesome.