The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe DVD Review

"THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE" reviews

DVD

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-03-31 15:31:37

Provider

DVD Review

Hollywood producers have threatened to make this CS Lewis classic into a film for years now, but it was only thanks to the success of Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings, and Harry Potter, that Disney eventually decided that the technology was in place to bring Narnia to life.

To his credit, director Andrew Adamson (Shrek) has mercifully avoided updating the authentic British World War II setting in favour something more contemporary and American. So it's the familiar tale of four siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - sent away to a fussy professor's country home to escape the London Blitz. There they discover a magic wardrobe which leads to a mystical land called Narnia ruled by Jadis, an evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton). After a series of adventures and plenty of weird but wonderful new acquaintances the children fight a battle alongside wise lion Aslan to defeat the witch's magic and end her spell of eternal winter.

What's so good about this adaptation is the sheer attention to detail and authenticity. The lead actors look and speak just like those old fashioned, if slightly whiny, British children from the famous books and the overall feel is one of a classic family film. As with Lord Of The Rings, New Zealand serves to represent Narnia and the country's vast landscapes and stunning natural Antipodean light makes the film spectacular and colourful throughout, without too much digital interference. Bring on the other six books!

DVD bonus features include Audio commentary from the filmmakers and the kids!, 'Discover Narnia' fun facts, Bloopers, 'Creating Narnia': behind the scenes footage, 'Chronicles Of A Director' featurette, 'Anatomy Of A Scene - The Melting River' and loads more.

Copyright © 2006.

DVD

The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-11-17 16:01:24

Provider

DVD Review

Director Andrew Adamson (Shrek) took charge of this 2005 movie version of CS Lewis' fantastical tale of four siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who are sent away to a fussy professor's country home to escape the London Blitz.

There they discover a magic wardrobe, which leads to a mystical land called Narnia ruled by Jadis, an evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton). After a series of adventures and plenty of weird but wonderful new acquaintances the children fight a battle alongside wise lion Aslan to defeat the witch's magic and end her spell of eternal winter.

What's so good about this adaptation is the sheer attention to detail and authenticity. The lead actors look and speak just like those old fashioned, if slightly whiny, British children from the famous books and the overall feel is one of a classic family film. As with Lord Of The Rings, New Zealand serves to represent Narnia and the country's vast landscapes and stunning natural Antipodean light makes the film spectacular and colourful throughout, without too much digital interference.

This is a 'Royal Edition' and boasts bonus features including a new extended version of the film, with enhanced special effects and an extended battle scene, audio commentaries, Narnia fun facts and Bloopers plus a previously unseen feature-length film about C.S. Lewis, the man who created the land of wonder and enchantment known as Narnia. Further featurettes include Visualising The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe: The Complete Production Experience, Creating Narnia, Chronicles Of A Director, The Melting River, Creating Creature, Cinematic Storytelling, Behind The Battle and several more plus an extensive Art Of Narnia gallery.

Copyright © 2006.