I’ve got to admit to never having read any of the books but maybe that helped me to see the movie through fresh eyes.
Emily and I went on a dad and daughter date on Sunday to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. We managed to score tickets to a special preview screening of this year’s hot holiday ticket.
Although the movie doesn’t open in Perth until Boxing Day, if you’re in the Perth area and want to see what all the fuss is about, I might be able to help you out. 98.5 Sonshine FM is giving away passes to a preview screening on Wednesday night of next week, the 21st of December. We’re giving double passes away throughout this week and over the weekend. I hope to be there with the whole family this time around.
The movie was a visual feast. It has been beautifully put together with amazing scenery that is sure to further boost New Zealand’s tourism business. Beyond the beautiful backdrop of New Zealand’s natural beauty is the amazing characters created with CGI or Computer Generated Imagery techniques. It’s no wonder it took so long to produce this epic, and epic it is with the movie running well over 2 hours.
As for the story itself, I was captured from the start. I was expecting that we’d be waiting quite some time before entering the magical world of Narnia but things move very quickly with just enough background to let you know what’s going on before launching us beyond the wardrobe.
The spiritual imagery was strong. I’m sure that a lot of people will sit through the movie simply to enjoy a great story told well, but for those who know even a little of the intent behind C.S. Lewis’s allegory, the redemption themes are expressed very powerfully. I was close to tears a few times. You can explore those themes by clicking here.
I don’t think I need to do much prompting to get others to head along to see the moview. It’s already doing huge business overseas and I’m sure it’ll be a box office hit here as well. I would only say that if you’re still deciding on whether to see the film or not, make a note in your diary now to book yourself a ticket or two. Both Emily and I loved it and I’m pretty sure you will too.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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the chronicles of narnia are BY FAR my favourite book series! I am SO EXCITED about this movie, more so than ANY in the past. Cannot wait to see it!
The previews look absolutly amazing. I think it could also have a similar effect that Passion of the Christ had, tho maybe not the quite the same extent. But any impact is good.
I have quite a few non Christians friends who are sort of anti-religion and yet are really looking forward to seeing this movie.
Rodney, how do we go about getting tickets to the preview screening?
Michael, I think it may even have greater potential to open discussion about spiritual matters. As you point out, a lot of people who would shun a straight out ‘religious’ movie like Passion, will be quite happy to see Narnia.
Aussies are pretty good at detecting hidden agendas so I think we simply need to be open and honest, ready to discuss the rich symbolism of the film when it’s appropriate.
If you listen to 98.5 Sonshine FM all this week we’re giving away a double pass every shift. IE: One at breakfast time, one during my morning programme, one in the afternoon and one after 4:00 in the drive programme.
This weekend we’ll be giving away a double pass every hour.
I can’t wait to see it, I’ve been trying to win but it seems that I’ve got my hands full with the bubs every time it announces to phone!! LOL
Thanks for the review. I am going to take my son to see it this weekend.
Joe B
I’ve seen the animated version, & read the book. If this movie is as good as they are, then I can’t wait.
Thanks for the great review. My daughter and I are planning to see it next weekend. I have never read the Narnia series, either, so I too will be seeing it with fresh eyes.
Rodney, how old is your daughter? I was thinking of taking my nephew and niece (9 & 8 yrs old). Would you say it’s suitable for that age?
Emily’s 9 and I did wonder a few times how well she was handling some of the scenes.
There are a few battle scenes where you see ‘creatures’ clashing but there’s no blood.
The witch is quite menacing and even though you don’t see her plunge a knife into Aslan, you know what has happened.
I hope to take James, who’s 7, to our preview. I’ll explain to him before hand that there are some sad scenes. I think the victorious end redeems most of the darker scenes.