As a young boy I read many C.S. Lewis books, they were an escape to a world of fantastic magic and creatures. A world of where good and evil are clearly defined and children become the decisive pieces in that battle.

I have fond memories of reading these books and I looked towards the adaptation of story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (One of Seven books about the land of Narnia) with great anticipation and much trepidation as well.

Would the great land of Narnia as I remember it come to life on the big screen or be a feeble failure as most book to movie adaptations become?

I can tell you my friend, that this is not the latter. Of all the great movies I have seen this year...Revenge of the Sith, Batman Begins and Serenity are the ones that come to mind when I think of movies that I really liked and thought were good. The Chronicles of Narnia is simply the best movie I have seen in 2005 or possible in the last five years.

I cant possible understate this, this is a great movie. Is it a perfect adaptation of the book? No, it simply cant be due to time constraints. But director Andrew Adamson did an absolutely fantastic job bringing this great and well respected piece of literature to life.

Relying heavily on CGI, the movie does a decent job of bringing the various fantastic characters to life. There are times when the CGI does suffer a tiny bit, but this does not detract from the film and while the film does downplays its Christian roots, you can clearly see the symbolism that C.S. Lewis intended(Especially when it comes to Aslan).

Of the four children I think Georgie Henley who plays the youngest (Lucy Pevensie) does the best job.

The movie is 140 minutes long and you have no idea that you sat there for that long, the film captures you and takes for a fantasy ride that will leave your imagination in awe and wonder.

Of the seven books clearly Prince Caspian is gonna be the next one, followed the The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

I don't know how they would fit in The Magician's Nephew, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle as they don't really involve the four children and don't really flow per say as a trilogy. But perhaps they will only do the three movies.

Go see this film, seriously. Even if you have not read the books, go and let go of the real world and let yourself go for the ride. You have to suspend your sense of belief as most children do and believe that world of Narnia awaits you.

5 out 5 Stars...Simply Fantastic.

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I need to add that I feel that its safe to take a child as young as six years old to this movie and I'll be taking mine as soon as I can.

I cant wait to see her face as she watches the wonder of this movie.

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"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct." -- Carl Sagan

I vaguely remember reading it in like 4th grade. I may grab a copy and read, don't know if it will be before or after I see it, but oh well.

I have seen a lot of press about this as it is getting pushed by christians. Now I read it about 20 years ago so any religious overtones were over my head, so my question is did you see any reason why christians are pushing so hard to see this movie?

It was written with Christianity in mind and the symbolism is there.

Not a big deal at all.

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"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct." -- Carl Sagan

My wife read this book to our kids, and they're really looking forward to seeing it too

It's kind of a shame though that it won't escape the comparison with LOTR

great review Scorp........i may have to go see it!

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Why do you think people love Doctor Who so much? "Because it's the best idea ever invented in the history of the world!"
-- Russell T. Davies

First, I think you mean Batman Begins,not Batman Returns (we forgive you), second....far as the Christianity thing goes, it's my understanding that mid-way through the writing of these stories, Lewis converted or was "Born again" and this sort of got the 'christian right' to leave him alone where they were ripping into other stories of this nature at the time and marking them as 'evil'. Not that this has anything to do with the price of tea in China, but someone had related the story of Lewis's turn to Christianity and the fact that it left him unscathed where other author's had been turned upon by the christian leaders of the time, again, I have no point here, just thought it was an interesting side note.

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"My anger outweighs my guilt."

Whoops, fixed

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"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct." -- Carl Sagan

Just got back from taking the whole family to see the movie.

Everyone loved it from my Wife down to my 6 year old.

So thats my second viewing of the weekend and I may have to go see it again.

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"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct." -- Carl Sagan

Go see this movie!!!!!!!!!!! it was very good, and one of my favorite actors voices the Lion! I recognized it instantly. The acting from the youngest child was amazing! How do they do that? Talent.........yes. anyway, I was really surprised at how good it was!

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Why do you think people love Doctor Who so much? "Because it's the best idea ever invented in the history of the world!"
-- Russell T. Davies

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe debuted at $67.1 million putting it in first place.

I am not surprised, I would expect this film to make a lot of money its so good.

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"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct." -- Carl Sagan

Kinda thought that it would have done better over the opening weekend - the week leading up to the release, it accounted for over 80% of Fandango's sales.

Anyhoo, my 5 year old really wants to see it - I'll probably take him, but I also got the book for him for Christmas, so we might give that a shot before the movie.

My 6 year old did very well with it, she only got scared in a couple parts, but she really got into it and loved it by the end of the movie.

Although I still have the copies of the books that read as a kid, a new set is under the tree for my step son.

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"All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct." -- Carl Sagan

Just got done watching it. Overall it was a good movie, I just honestly wish it was a little bit longer.

I will say that from what I remember of reading the book 15+ years ago they did a very good job in taking it to the screen.

As to the bit longer. I can't place my finger on it, but it just seemed to be a bit tidy. Now it may have been the book was that way too, as I really don't remember the last half of the book except for bits and pieces of it, just seemed that some parts were just to convient. Maybe I am getting grouchy in my old age.

I will say though that it is a very good kids book. The comparison to Lord of the Ring I don't think is that good, other than the fight scene, but I think a better comparison is to Harry Potter.