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

Long bloody title, but a great film no doubt.

I had seen 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' before but hadn't watched it for years and years, I remembered the vast majority though - it's a memorable film after all. There's a great battle scene in there, some fun characters and strong effects. It's a tad too long, but not by much.

It has a nice charm to it also, as they set up Narnia excellently. The quartet of children are very well cast, all four of them suit their roles to a T. Georgie Henley is sweet as Lucy, while William Moseley and Anna Popplewell fulfil the roles of Peter and Susan comfortably. Edmund, meanwhile, is of course annoying, but Skandar Keynes does a good job portraying him.

Elsewhere, Tilda Swinton and Liam Neeson are terrific casts as the White Witch and Aslan. Both do great, especially Swinton. James McAvoy, Ray Winstone, Michael Madsen and Rupert Everett are smart choices too.

I've, as far as I'm aware, never seen the two sequels so very much look forward to seeing what they have in store for me. They'll do well to match this first film, that's for sure.

In my last review (which you can find on my Letterboxd), I said The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was a "nearly perfect film." Well, I am here to say that with this viewing, to me, it is a perfect film.

I used to always think this film was a sort of step below LOTR, and, while LOTR is indeed a masterpiece of cinema, I don't regard this film as lesser.

The movie is just pure magic! Every aspect of the movie (minus the CGI – which doesn't really hold up [except for Aslan] but is still serviceable) is even better with age! And I find myself moved emotionally by more things this time than I ever have watching this film.

The score by Harry Gregson-Williams is just phenomenal. Especially "The Battle" – that goes without saying. But this time, part of the magic and nostalgia I was struck by was the musical piece that sounds like it's a song. The one that plays while the train is leaving London. (I found out it's actually about halfway into the track "Evacuating London.") That magical song, combined with the great camera work by Donald M. McAlpine and the appearance of the movie title makes for feelings of peak nostalgia and magic for me.

Also, this film has one of the best opening scenes of all time. When Netflix (finally) remakes the films, I don't know how they can top this opening. – In fact, that's another thing about this movie: There are so many things that I don't think any remake could top. Liam Neeson as Aslan, Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch, and James McAvoy as Tumnus. – Oh, and, though he's not in the book, the centaur, Oreius (played by Patrick Kake), is so cool! Can't top that.

Also, the costuming is excellent – especially for the White Witch – and the gryphons are so cool! The sound design on their shriek gives me chills (in a good way).

And I can't go without saying that this is also an emotional story because of what the story represents, the symbolism of the story. Edmund represents us – represents me, a sinner. I who h...

CS Lewis certainly had one heck of an imagination and it is rarely better exemplified than in this lovely fantasy adventure. Four wartime siblings are evacuated from London to stay with the reclusive "Professor Kirke" (Jim Broadbent) in the relative safety of the English countryside. Once they get there, the housekeeper "Mrs. Macready" (Elizabeth Hawthorne) makes it quite clear that they are to be seen and not heard! Boredom sets in and thus a game of hide and seek seems sensible. "Lucy" takes refuge in an old wardrobe - a wardrobe that has a secret! Much to her astonishment, she finds herself in a snowy land with a single streetlamp and there meets "Mr. Tumnus" (James McAvoy) - a scarf-clad faun. She returns to her brothers and sister and after some convincing, they join her in the wardrobe and all discover the delights and dangers of "Narnia" meeting loads of new friends and a couple of not so nice wolves, too! This is the first of the adventures of the "Pevensie" children in this mysterious land where animals can talk and winter is perpetual under the control of the villainous "White Witch" (Tilda Swinton). They align with "Aslan" the all powerful lion (voiced by Liam Neeson) and have a battle royal to free the kingdom from her icy grip. The CGI isn't, to be honest, great. Indeed, some of the effects are a bit cheap and cheerful for 2005; but the story, settings and characterisations are great - as is Harry Gregson-Williams' eerie and gentle score.

Rewatching The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe reminded me why it’s such a timeless movie. It still gets me every time, especially the lullaby scene with Mr. Tumnus, played beautifully by James McAvoy, who is one of my favorite actors. Liam Neeson’s voice as Aslan is inspiring and adds so much gravitas to the character. But for me, the standout is Tilda Swinton as the White Witch. Her performance is chilling and commanding, making her one of the most memorable parts of the movie.

The production is top-notch. The visuals are stunning, especially considering it was released in 2005, and they mostly hold up well even now. The costumes and set design are fantastic, capturing the magical and otherworldly feel of Narnia. The soundtrack is another highlight, adding emotional depth to key moments and making the experience even more immersive.

Based on the beloved novel by C.S. Lewis, the film does a good job of sticking to the important plot points while making the story accessible to a new generation. Of course, no adaptation is perfect, but this one stands on its own as a great piece of fantasy storytelling. It’s not just a movie; it’s a journey into a world full of magic, courage, and redemption.

This movie also feels like the perfect pick for the holiday season. It has that warmth and wonder that makes it ideal to watch with family at Christmas. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe remains a classic, and I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who wants to experience a bit of magic

The feeling of discovering a secret universe where winter seems eternal awakens that sense of pure wonder we usually lose in the daily grind. Revisiting this story years later made me realize that magic doesn't age when it's treated with the respect it deserves. And this adaptation manages to bring back exactly those butterflies in my stomach from when I used to believe that behind any old piece of furniture in the house, a massive mystery could be hiding.

For me, what really gets me about this movie is how it's in no rush to get to the magic, choosing instead to anchor the fantasy in real-world trauma. That opening during the Blitz bombings in London, with the sirens howling and the kids being torn away from their mother, isn't just window dressing. It hits me hard, instantly putting a lump in my throat with a deep sense of urgency, fear, and family loss. When they finally make it to Narnia, I can't see the realm just as a lucky theme park find. It actually works as a physical and psychological refuge. And I think the irony the script builds is brilliant: they flee a world in flames only to parachute into another that's frozen and oppressed. It makes the journey feel like it has genuine weight, giving those kids space to process and overcome the horrors of a real war by facing a magical one.

I always find myself admiring the visual mastery of the scene where Lucy crosses over between the real world and fantasy. To me, it's easily the most poetic moment in the whole film. I love how Adamson’s camera plays with our perspective and doesn't take the easy way out. There's no flashing neon tunnel or that cliché tractor beam of light sucking you in. The whole thing is slow, tactile, and full of textures. I can almost feel Lucy backing up, bumping into those heavy, mothball-scented fur coats that, out of nowhere, turn into rough pine branches. The visual clash of the mansion's dark, musty environment colliding with the silent vastness of the snow, lit only by a lone...