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5.2 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 522 Ratings

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  1. Oct 2, 2011
    6
    "The Chronicles of Narnia" is not a masterpiece due to its newbie actors, but it manages to give the pure entertainment most summer blockbusters provide.
  2. Mar 28, 2012
    8
    This, is like an Christian movie. Aslan is Jesus, the children are The People, The White Witch is the Devil, The Stone Table is The Calvary. Aslan (Jesus) had to die and resurrect to save us all on the stone table (Calvary). But at the end, Aslan has to kill The White Witch and save everyone. BTW, I like this movie.
  3. LouisH.
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    INCREDIBLE!!!!! One of the best fantasy films in history! After reading the books, and seeing the trailer, I was one of the first to appear at its premier. I love this movie, it is definitely worth seeing and buying.
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  4. FlonkelD.
    Dec 26, 2005
    6
    Very shallow character development.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  5. terryt
    Dec 27, 2006
    10
    Our family all read the book concurrently and then went to see the film. What a rich experience only enjoyed if the book is read first. In an era of instant gratification and a lack of discipline, this was a refreshing piece of entertainment on a different level.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  6. Feb 9, 2011
    10
    I may not be a Christian, but that didn't mean I couldn't enjoy this movie. Definitely one of the best flicks of 2005. Very LOTR-esque, but better! I have very fond memories of watching this in theaters.
  7. Michelle
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    I loved it! I was in tears for almost the last half of the movie. I'm so glad one of my favorite stories made it onto the big screen.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. ChrisB.
    Dec 7, 2005
    6
    It's been nearly twenty years since I last read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and I don't remember seeing the Christian symbolism of it back then. Ever since, I had learned more about CS Lewis and how The Chronicles of Narnia very much reflected his philosophy and religion. Fine. But, man, if I didn't get that impression as a kid reading the book, I sure got it hammered into my skull as an adult watching this movie. At the end of it, I felt like I just came out of the cinematic equivalent of a Creed concert. (That's bad, by the way.) What amazes me is how this is being marketed as a good Christian alternative to Harry Potter movies. Where the HP films are fully committed to the pure fantasy that their characters and situations inhabit, Narnia slavishly needs to qualify everything that happens on screen with a biblical reference point, reducing the kids into Sunday-schoolbook caricatures. And having a CG lion as a Christ figure is about as bad as Scott Stapp posing as Jesus on-stage at that aforementioned Creed concert. Other than that, there is some lovely visual adaptation of the cool stuff I do remember from the book. The kids were capable but uneven in their talents, having cast a blockheaded but handsome Prince William-lookalike as the eldest boy, Peter, while the youngest had an almost creepy precociousness in her performance as Lucy. Tilda Swinton as the White Witch was fantastic, her styling was incredible, and I would have loved to see her have more screen time rather than the badly rendered animal villains. The CG characters were noticeably weak, and even Azlan seemed much less majestic than the lion my imagination had painted as a child. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. FederS.
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    Amazing, is like a new myth.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. ChaseP.
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    I loved the movie. It is the best movie of the year!!!! I cant wait for the rest of them to come out!! I liked the books, but I love the movie!!! Thanks Andrew Anderson!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. StacyR
    Dec 20, 2005
    2
    Is this what passes for grand entertianment these days? Trite acting and poor special effects? Disney poured a gigantic budget into the near failure of the year, and it shows how they had no clue on how to spend it. An editor, composer, and most of all director would have been a good start. Then we can move onto replacing the cast with leads that can actually do more than read off lines like a computer. A cold waste of film. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. neckyb.
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    It was great!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. ChuckM.
    Jan 14, 2006
    6
    This was a perfectly fine movie. It was an entertaining way to spent a couple of hours.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. ChristineW.
    Jan 24, 2006
    3
    I expected it to be better, especially in the effects and CGI department. There were way too many scenes that looked so fake.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  15. AlfonsoL.
    Jan 7, 2006
    7
    Aun no he leido los libros, y aunque sencilla, la pelicula me parece bastante entretenida, la vi 2 veces (como con 15 dias de diferencia) y mantuve el interes en ambas oportunidades.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. Kumar
    Apr 1, 2006
    10
    An amzing adaption that will delight fans and non-fans alike. I especially enjoyed Liam Neeson's vocie talents as Aslan.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. JoshD.
    Apr 10, 2006
    8
    What is wrong with you people for voting low? Do you not have any sense of appreciation for true quality movies? Most of the bad ratings are probably from people who laugh at vomit jokes. My 7 yo nephew, my mother and father and I all enjoyed this movie. It was not the best film I've ever seen, but it was a solid 8.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. HCarter
    Apr 8, 2006
    4
    Started off ok--but the adapted screenplay wasn't so great. And of course--everything kind of goes downhill from there. You could say, "hey, it's geared towards kids" but that's sort of apologizing for it. There are plenty of movies out there that are solid regardless of age (any pixar movie). It wasn't a horrible movie though, mostly just medicore.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. VamicaV.
    Apr 9, 2006
    1
    So Poor such a disappointment! I never thought it was possible to screw up such a good story! Acting was so bad gr it pained me to watch
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  20. Danielle
    Dec 11, 2008
    6
    I'd rather watch epic movie. the parody captured my attention, this bored me to tears when my best friend forced me to endure the painstaking 2 hours 20 minute of fantasy. I'm a teenage girl, I don't want to see a kiddy fantasy story with not an ounce of humor or romance in it.I can find homor in Titanic. The battle seen wasn't frightening even
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. YonatanJ.
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    For anyone who grew up loving the book, this film does not disappoint. Brilliantly acted, with seamless special effects, the film faithfully adheres to the classic tale and, in some areas, improves upon it (or at least improves the movie experience through occasional elaboration). It is hard to imagine how this wonderful book could have been made into a better movie. My 5-year old son was utterly entranced, and I was equally enthralled. If you loved the book, you must see this movie. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. ThomasL.
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    A picture perfect translation from book to screen. Everything I had imagined while reading as a child and more. Not to be missed.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  23. LukeE
    Dec 13, 2005
    0
    Absolutely devoid of talent or... well, that's it. Shots and film editing were handled like a freshman at film school, and the special effects looked like stock animations (and at times, b.g. images seemed prerendered liked a Hitchcock car ride). The costumes were shabby, as though taken from the dressing room of a community theatre, polished up, and dry-cleaned before shooting. And beginning with an air raid? For a moment I thought I had entered the wrong theatre. I'm not sure who approved this script, but fire them. No clear plot structre, a desperate hook (air raid) -- I'm not even sure which scene was intended to be the climax. It's a very casual, classic structure Lewis used, and for any writer to find it hard to adapt is simply laughable -- as is this film. A simple fantasy should not be handled as an epic. It only makes it sluggish. Oh, I'd nearly forgotten the grating soundtrack! Were the sound editor's headphones broken that he continued cranking up the score? Or was this an experiment in cramming unwanted emotion into the audience's ears and hoping to reach our bored little hearts? Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  24. NickP.
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    Wonderful movie worth seeing. Truly makes you feel as if you're in another world. A litlte bit heavy on the CGI on some places,yes, but wonderful acting, beautiful visuals, and overall very much worth seeing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  25. RR
    Dec 10, 2005
    2
    It's overlong, boring, feels like it was stitched together with a branding iron and has no depth whatsoever. No sense of dynamics, timing or atmosphere. I began to really loathe the wide-eyed-wonder-look in the kids' eyes, especially because my own eyes were constantly falling shut out of boredom. Two saving graces: Tilda Swinton is really evil (imagine having a mother like that and see what I mean), and the Lion is well done (from a special fx point of view). Best worst scene: the obnoxious children and two slightly less obnoxious beavers are being pursued by the witch; theythen take cover in a scene that SCREAMS "LOTR FOTR hobbits hiding from the Nazgul nudge nudge", when all of a sudden the beaver announces the coast is clear, it's just Santa Claus who's appeared to bestow valuable gifts to "eve's daughters" and "adam's sons". I kept rubbing my eyes, hoping this godawful scene was just a nightmare. Even the effects were at least two leagues below LOTR. The sets were kind of well done, but they all looked like ... sets. no suspension of disbelief for me, it all looked so... fake! Plus, the believability of a little boy slashing his way through rows of minotaurs and other evil creatures (who all look like LOTR pre-production rejects) is... kind of a lot to take. Save your money. This is such an obviously calculated, badly executed film to make you want to abstain from going to the cinema altogether. To even think of 6 more films in this series makes my stomach ache. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  26. leahp
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    I couldn't be more pleased with how this movie was handled. The book to screen adaptation was perfect - hardly any alterations from the story whatsoever. The children did a great job with the acting. The Christian themes and symbolism were prominent, the graphics were decent, the scenery was beautiful. I was nervous coming into this, seeing as Disney had some input. They can really screw things up. But they did a great job, and for that, I'm very grateful. I cannot wait to see the other six books come to life, especially if they're as careful with them as they were with LWW. Great movie. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  27. JonathanH.
    Dec 26, 2005
    0
    Disney’s approaching the philistine mega & evangelical churches was a disgusting marketing ploy along the same lines as the equally disgusting yet aptly bloodthirsty worshiping “Passion of the Christ” - it’s all a sign of the times. A time when corporatism and warmongering and religion go hand in hand. A time when the worship of money and power match up quite nicely with what was wrought from 2000 years of the bloody history from organized religion. But what the mega & evangelical church pastors didn’t bargain for perhaps was a pilotless heartless mess of the film. Knowing how it was being used by the churches & Disney cast a wide shadow which almost prevented me from seeing it. But I did see it Christmas day. And what I found was a soulless movie. A movie which matches up with the soulless corporatist warmongering which modern conservative churches wallow in today in America. There was no plot. No feeling. The talking animals were absurd, and their talking disgraced & demeaned what our fellow animals really are - just as Disney’s films did so in the past. The only useful thing I got out of the film was thinking again about the whole absurd nature of the mythical Jesus’s resurrection. Lewis makes a vague reference to it with when the lion sacrifices himself. But what does he sacrifice himself for? Why does he do it? Because of an arbitrary and chosen law. An adherence to “old magic.” “It’s all poppycock,” I thought, “just as is what Christians claim happened with their mythical Jesus, in paying for sins passed down to us by our fathers. The concept that sons & daughters must pay for the sins of their fathers is a reprehensible concept,” I thought some more. So perhaps the church preachers succeeded in having a message conveyed, by latching onto Disney's corporatist fascist greed in a disgusting marketing attempt to use religion to market their mess of a film - but the message conveyed is perhaps not what the preachers wanted perhaps. The synergistic marketing conveyed a message that organized religion in America today primarily worships at the feet of fascist corporatist warmongering. And the film itself, with it’s vacuous & wrote nature, shows that it’s little more than a self serving vehicle for the corporation known as Disney, a vehicle which the philistine evangelical churches latched on to to serve their own selfish interests. The poor person centered teachings of the mythical Jesus are far removed from these blatant but vacuous attempts to suck ever more of the uneducated & increasingly disenfranchised American workers, into an ever increasing sense of self denial & delusion - but a state of self denial which serves New American Fascism. Yes, fascism is on the march in America, and sadly Lewis’s Narnia is yet another victim. For comparison, the Narnia story as conveyed on PBS a few years ago was more interesting. But I recommend not wasting your time on this latest mess. Instead, go buy the expanded DVD versions of Lord of the Rings, and maybe check out the PBS Narnia version from your local library or buy it - if you were a fan of the written version. But don’t waste your time on this wannabee imitator - on this vacuous soulless sham of the film latched onto by preachers who love war, money, and corporatist power wrought through disgusting marketing synergies. Bletch. Away from me you trashy film. Away from me thou philistines. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  28. MelanieG
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    Narnia was a wonderful movie. I can't say enough good things about it. C.S. Lewis didn't want his book to be made into a movie but I think that if he saw this dramatic presentation he would absolutely love it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  29. ArielG
    Dec 30, 2005
    7
    I found this movie fairly entertaining. The acting and the CGI was okay as well, not great but not too bad either. My only real complaint is the religious themes constantly being pushed throughout the movie. The older sister Susan is constantly made to look like an idiot and fool in every scene because she is logical and has no faith (which I think is a jab at atheists and non-Christians), yet oldest brother Peter and youngest Lucy always succeed because they always 'follow their hearts' and do things on blind faith. This movie won't beat Lord of The Rings (any of the trilogy) as the best fantasy movie, but it's an good film if you ignore all the underlying messages and just watch the movie for what it could've been, a piece of entertainment. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  30. dougalp.
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    An instant classic. Great perfomances from the kids and a never-to-be-bettered Tilda Swinton. Terrifically faithful to the book. A real pleasure.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  31. JasonS.
    Dec 8, 2005
    10
    The best movie of the year!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  32. JohnS.
    Dec 8, 2005
    10
    Excellent.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  33. CSLS
    Dec 9, 2005
    4
    Chris B. was dead-on when he called it the "cinematic equivalent of a Creed concert." Whatever susbtance is under the flash is all allegory, while the flash is far too familiar. I don't see how they can get 2 more films out of this.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  34. CharlesC.
    Dec 9, 2005
    9
    Watching this movie was like discovering an old dusty book and finding it to be a really good yarn. An absolutely enchanting beautiful mythical world best viewed with a childlike heart. Its worth opening the door and entering Narnia.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  35. DavidM.
    Dec 9, 2005
    9
    There is a wonderful balance between lighthearted moments and scenes of heavier (though bloodless) action. All four children were very well cast and the added character introductions at the beginning of the movie set the pace instead of slowing the movie as some have suggested. Tilda Swinton is wonderful as the frosty titular villain, though unfortunately she doesn't quite project the menacing visage I thought she should have. Instead she comes off as simply a spiteful squatter, desperately hoping the real ruler of Narnia doesn't show up and kick her to the curb. The first novel in C.S. Lewis' series has Christian imagery and allegory so obvious it's like a bat between the eyes, but fortunately Adamson again strikes a balance, giving devout Christians a nod while satisfying agnostics such as myself by keeping the symbols open to interpretation. As I mentioned earlier, there are significant similiarities to the previous LotR movies. If Aslan-as-Christ doesn't suit your fancy, how about Aslan-as-Gandalf? Adamson was quite possibly patterning some scenes after famous ones in the LotR movie trilogy, and it does make you wonder a few times, "haven't I seen this movie already?". This is not enough to completely detract from the quality of the film, fortunately. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein may have been friends, but their respective worlds were very different, and honestly on different levels. That is not to say one is superior than another; while Middle Earth had depth, Narnia had humanity, and that is the difference and the reason why it is unfair to use LotR as some sort of yardstick that all fantasy movies much now be judged against. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  36. BenH.
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    I had a great time at the movies! The translation from book to screen was great. A quarter of the way through the film I stopped referencing the book in my mind and simply went all into the movie. TLTWTW was a great movie going experience. I can't wait for the next one!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  37. AlanT.
    Dec 9, 2005
    4
    A half-hearted and forgettable film that represents a huge missed opportunity to bring these great books to the big screen. What a waste.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  38. ProfB
    Dec 9, 2005
    9
    Got to see an advance of this, and it's terrific. The review above calling it a LOTR Jr. is just about right. A thrilling and heart-warming (in a non-crappy-tv-movie way) movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  39. ElsaS.
    Dec 9, 2005
    5
    While the film has many fine moments, it also has many draggy, poorly paced ones, too. The special effects are sometimes breathtaking, but often quite clumsy, too. The end result is an unformed mish-mash. Had more care gone into it, the film might have ended up a timeless classic. But it falls far short of that mark.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  40. FDLH
    Jan 11, 2006
    3
    I can't believe this film got such a high mark. It's extremely mawkish, simplistic, full of cinematographic commonplaces, clichés, and is sexist in many ways (queen =evil, king=young boy (although the sister discovered everything in the first place)=good). In the end, it comes out as very common and trite. Mind you, the book is too, so why should the film be any better?
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  41. RobertL.
    Jan 1, 2006
    9
    Good effects, true to the book, acting is average. This one must be seen in the theater.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  42. HarryD.
    Jan 1, 2006
    10
    I'm only 7 and I really liked it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  43. SamD.
    Jan 1, 2006
    10
    Great story, great acting, and great special effects.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  44. ChristineP.
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    An incredible adventure that pulls you right in! A future classic, for sure.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  45. DecepticonPom
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    Wasn't expecting great things beforehand but absolutely LOVED it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  46. TimD.
    Jan 28, 2006
    4
    Though it has aspects I appreciated (Liam Neeson, Tilda Swinton in the battle sequences, the youngest of the children) and moments I enjoyed very much (the use of silence and the heartbeat at the beginning of the battle sequence), overall I found it thin, lacking weight and power -- a genuine disappointment. This film doesn't even begin to compare with any one of Peter Jackson's Ring trilogy. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  47. BrittanyS.
    Jan 3, 2006
    10
    I thoruly enjoyed this movie. It was one of the best ones I saw this year!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  48. PaulF.
    Jan 3, 2006
    9
    I like the movie so much more than the book. The book seemed childish and simplistic. The special effects and the acting really helped flush out the ideas. I'm not a christian but I thought the ideology was expressed in an entertaining and thoughtful way. I rate this movie almost on par with the Lord of the Rings. I pains me to say this but good job Disney.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  49. CaptainSpaulding
    Jan 30, 2006
    9
    Excellent movie. Enjoyable by both children and adults. This movie had action, suspense, beautiful cinematography and great special effects (congrats WETA). It was a little on the violent side for very small kids, but the rest should love it! It was what I expected and more. My wife was very pleased as well, and she's a big Narnia fan! Great flick and we can't wait to see the next one! Rated highly. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  50. Mark
    Jan 3, 2006
    6
    Enjoyable at times but plodding at others. the acting was a bit stiff - although the Pevensie's were casted well.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  51. CarolS.
    Jan 3, 2006
    4
    The youngest child was delightful and the best actor of the group. Peter was pretty wooden. Why did Susan carry a bow an arrow if not to use it? Did she in fact have any function in this movie? The plot was lame. The White Witch was the most interesting and best played role. Unfortunately, one can't learn from the storyline why she is in power or why she should relinquish it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  52. Michael
    Jan 4, 2006
    10
    One word: "Magical". This is a very magical movie for both the young and old. It made me feel like a kid again. ;) Can't beat that feeling. TWO Thumbs Up.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  53. CarlE.
    Jan 5, 2006
    4
    Boring... deadly dull. Only the special effects made this movie at all interesting. The acting was second-rate... worthy of a high school play at best.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  54. KandrasM.
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    Excellent, better than I could have imagined a remake would be. I loved the White WItch, she was so entranting.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  55. AleH.
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    It's Fantastic... already seen it 3 times, happily would go the fourth!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  56. NickG.
    Jan 7, 2006
    10
    Made everybody feel good. People even clapped in my theatre, which I have never seen before.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  57. ATop
    Jan 7, 2006
    2
    What a waste of $10- boring and stupid. Oh, and stupid.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  58. TimB.
    Jan 8, 2006
    3
    The only thing that saves this film is the special effects. The acting could be the worst I have seen in years. I am utterly confused how anyone could sit through a classic story, and see it portraited so poorly, and not be outraged. Disappointing.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  59. fionad.
    Jan 9, 2006
    9
    It was good but when they had the battle and Edmund gets stabbed by the white witch he doesn't even bleed.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  60. ErikS.
    Feb 1, 2006
    10
    Great! Very close to the book! I love the movie!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  61. WadeV.
    Mar 19, 2006
    10
    anyone who loved the book is bound to love the movie. Made with very close attention to detail,it's lovingly brought to life, visually.Though if you haven't read the book,it risks leaving you scratching your head a bit. Do yourself a favour & read the book first!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  62. MarilynZ.
    Mar 2, 2006
    9
    Highly entertaining and that's why I go to the movies.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  63. RickC.
    Apr 3, 2006
    4
    This show was geared for children [***SPOILERS***] but the scene with the lion being scourged is unnecessarily cruel for children to watch. It was much too juvenile for adults and the CGI graphics were mediocre at best.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  64. Brutus
    May 16, 2006
    9
    I wish some of these people would get over their angst over the Christian allegory thing, which is frankly hardly there unless you buld it up. Fundamentally, this story will never be done better. I loved the books, but a very long time ago. So when I saw the movie, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it seriously retained the magic of the book (for a audience of children, not a bunch of CGI nerds who apparently wanted another Lord of the Rings) and that the battle scene was (unlike the book) pretty damn good. And the performances of the kids were delightful. Roll on the next one. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  65. DanaM.
    Jun 12, 2006
    9
    Loved the production, but it strayed too much from the original story line where it didn't need to. Great filming, action, and staging.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  66. PatC.
    Jun 30, 2006
    6
    Nice movie with good digital effects, but surprisingly lacking in substance. There's a wierd theme embedded in the story involving children in wartime who don't miss their parents and are free to be self-directed without consequences. The value set that emerges borders on the narcissistic.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  67. DaleM.
    Jun 3, 2006
    9
    Good story....good special effects...much like LOTR in theme and feeling.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  68. Tom
    Aug 6, 2006
    3
    Rather boring, effects were good, but the film was restricted by the plots and story from the orginal book. The cast were very average at best and the pacing of the story itself was not particularly creative. Nothing in the film to make me want to see it again.
    • 0 of 2 users said yes
  69. BrittneyW
    Jun 5, 2007
    10
    I loved this movie. I would like to see a second one made, if possible. It was so realistic in all, and I just loved it.!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  70. MartiH
    Dec 11, 2005
    7
    Enjoyable movie for kids and adults. The plot was reasonably faithful to the book. Tilda Swinton was great as Jadis the White Witch. If this one proves to be successful ($), Prince Caspian is likely the next film to follow.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  71. ShellyM.
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    I definately got the biblical references in the material.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  72. GarrettB.
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    The children were excellent, the characters were all fantastic, and the story could not have been told any better. Can't wait to see it again!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  73. BDavidN.
    Dec 11, 2005
    6
    I read the books and was captivated so warning to a biased righteous fan's opinion. It wasn't a bad movie but to me it felt like the mini commericals Macdonalds makes for it's happy meal toys, after they advertise said meat and sandwich products. I'm sure the director had good intentions, but from the first title scene you know its a franchise coming from an economic venture based on Disney's failure to cash in on Lord of the Ring's. It was a good kid's movie but as a fan of the books I felt it couldn't compare and the characters seemed a lot less endearing. The best part, other than the minotaurs, is the queen's dwarf. He is worth the price and looks like an Osama Bin Laden imp. His death in the movie is hiliarious. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  74. DanB.
    Dec 10, 2005
    5
    [***SPOILERS***] Looks great. Acting's good. Story is... illogical and and overly simple, even for a children's film, I think. Like suddenly Peter is this amazing fighter? He knows how to use a sword? Why because Aslan told him he could, so now Peter's a general? Worse, it makes it seem as if Aslan *knows* he'll be resurrected... which doesn't make it much of a sacrifice.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  75. MattyM.
    Dec 10, 2005
    4
    The film is a blunder; a mere excuse to throw in creatures fighting against each other for some poor action, followed by irritant performances by the Pevensie kids, and tedious moments that drag on and on. The entire movie is a dejá-vu, but it still features Tilda Swinton and Liam Neeson, which is not a bad thing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  76. vladimirp.
    Dec 14, 2005
    2
    Ridiculous, boring, predictable, not for kids to much violence, not for adults not enough violence, bad fx, bad music, annoying actors especialy the little girl, i hate animals, stupid plot, worse ending, long. what can i say.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  77. JoshM.
    Dec 14, 2005
    10
    I think the movie showed a great deal of adventure for kids who needed it to get by why they were away from their parents.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  78. lynnl.
    Dec 23, 2005
    4
    There's no solid or substantial central theme. The story was not suitable for a movie in the first place. The children's acting ranged from average to poor. Movie became kind of dry halfway while I was watching. Unless you've watched genuinely great movies before, you'd probably think this movie is good. In short, an overly glamorous effort to dramatise an otherwise classic story. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  79. SteveS.
    Dec 27, 2005
    10
    This Film is the best Film I have seen all year!
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  80. philipt.
    Dec 28, 2005
    8
    Good, but Kong is better!
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  81. JorgeP.
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was great it was one of the best movies I have ever seen. I wish the very best for the upcoming film Prince Caspian on Christmas 2007.
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  82. Megan
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    It was brill.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  83. CaseyG.
    Dec 30, 2005
    9
    Very,very good acting, costumes, and plot. This went almost strait from the book and really sucks you into the plot.
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  84. DanielN.
    Dec 3, 2005
    10
    Amazing!
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  85. KateM
    Dec 30, 2005
    10
    It's amazing, I've seen it three times! I'm a huge fan of the books and practicaly grew up on the BBC version of the movie, but this was much better than even I imagined it. Long live Aslan!
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  86. michaelf.
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    Wonderful adaptation of a classic childrens book. The movie is not an allegory, but an interesting supposal. Exciting movie for the intelligent family.
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  87. ToreS.
    Dec 8, 2005
    10
    I had been waiting for it ever since it was announced, so of course I couldn't pass up the chance to see a press preview this morning. Naturally it did not coincide 100% with my own vision of Narnia visually, but emotionally it rang absolutely true, choking me up several times and really touching me. I walked out of the theatre with a warm, contented feeling - just like I feel every time I read C.S. Lewis' book! The stand-out performance was definitely Tilda Swinton's as the White Witch, but I liked all actors/voices, from cute little Lucy (newcomer Georgie Henley) to majestic Aslan (Liam Neeson). I thought the children did a great job, considering their relative inexperience and the amount of blue screen work involved. Expand
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  88. JohnS.
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    Excellent.
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  89. JamesK.
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    Maybe it's because you were looking for the symbolism. And if you've been to a Creed concert, It's already apparent your judgement is impared.
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  90. RodrigoB.
    Jan 11, 2006
    7
    Good movie. Since I read all Narnia books, I was quite excited when I saw the movie. Unfortunately, I can´t give it a 10. I felt everything happened too fast, as if the director was forced to put every character and each one of their actions into 2 hours of film. The book has another taste... much better taste.
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  91. SammyZee
    Jan 1, 2006
    7
    Good plot but some of it i think was kinda um... cheesy and about that Aslan guy coming back to life well that was an explicit Jesus reference and why wasn't there Chanukah Harry AND Santa Claus. They would be good friends.
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  92. Robert
    Jan 1, 2006
    8
    An entertaining favorite. Manages to catch the magic without current Hollywood hype. Warning: not for younger children. Adults will love it too.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  93. MarkB.
    Jan 12, 2006
    9
    Although the Christian overtones and symbolism of C. S. Lewis's beloved children's fantasy series are unmistakable, it's a tribute to his remarkable skills as an author that my fourth grade teacher read us the entire book in class--and only later on did I learn that she was an agnostic. For that matter, Flick Filosopher MaryAnn Johansen, who frequently declares herself an atheist (and ranked The Passion of the Christ the worst film of 2004!) loved this movie version anyway. As well she should--it's both epic and intimate in scope, terrifically moving, funny and exciting...and in the year of Harry Potter 4 and Star Wars 6, or 3, or whatever, I thought this was second only to King Kong as the best fantasy film of the year. My worries about Shrek and Shrek 2 director Andrew Adamson taking the helm proved to be unfounded; I was afraid he'd muck the source material up with cheap pop-culture and in-joke references, but he's stayed remarkably faithful to the time, place and tone of Lewis's material...not even yielding to the temptation to modify some of the more obscure Britishisms. (When's the last time YOU picked up some 'Turkish delight' at your local See's candy store?) Children Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy (the latter played by Georgie Henley, who possesses both the requisite acting chops AND adorableness in equal and abundant quantities), sent to the country by their mother during the worst of World War II, discover a magical wardrobe that transports them to the Land of Narnia, a kingdom of talking animals led by the heroic, Christ-like lion Aslan, who's doing battle against the White Witch (Tilda Swinton, one of the rare actors who has played both an angelic figure--in Constantine--and a demonic one in the same calendar year). The Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the Book of Revelation are all represented throughout the battle, and so is Judas' betrayal, which intriguingly plays out with somewhat different results here than in the Gospels. Liam Neeson voices Aslan with great authority and warmth (and I'm grateful that his recent portrayal of the controversial Dr. Alfred Kinsey didn't automatically remove him from the short list for this role), while Swinton is remarkably sly, subtle and perhaps in keeping with her role as a master temptress, sexier than I've ever seen her onscreen. And I loved what has to be the strongest portrayal of a loving, affectionate married couple onscreen in years--even if they DO happen to be a pair of beavers! Faithful churchgoers and nonbelievers alike will be thrilled at the elaborate, intense (but not at all gory) action sequences, but I especially warmed up to The Chronicles of Narnia's superbly confident, deliberate pacing: without ever, ever dragging, it moves along at its own speed, constantly sparking viewers of all ages to ask, "And then what? And then what? What happens next?" So many recent fantasy, science fiction, action or adventure films have bludgeoned us with Michael Bay-style cacaphonies of noisome CGI images that it's a real pleasure--no, a JOY--to watch a film like The Chronicles of Narnia as it restores a seemingly lost art: that of simply telling us a terrific story. Expand
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  94. JaredO.
    Jan 13, 2006
    9
    This is a great movie, however, the reason this doesnt get a 10 is because it does lag in some parts. The special effects are Breathtakingly amazing, i mean, WOW. The movie is Very true to the book, with a little pdding added in. This movie is Definetly worth seeing.
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  95. ErinH.
    Jan 13, 2006
    10
    The movie was quite welldone and I loved it! The best part about it was that it really portayed how the Witch represented Satan and how Aslan represented Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins just like Aslan gave hislife and died freely for Edmunds sin.
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  96. RebeccaS.S.
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    Actually to be honest this movie is a 12. Wonderful all around, smart, frightening and Joyous.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  97. AzaanV.
    Jan 14, 2006
    0
    LOTR but it was changed so kids could understand. not good for anyone that questions stuff. you just have to believe everything fully to enjoy the movie. many anomolies.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  98. StephR
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    Best Movie Ever!
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  99. TheDiggler
    Jan 2, 2006
    6
    Such a shame this film turned out to be so flat and boring. The kids fit the parts well and the impression of Narnia was nicely done, Mr Tumnus in particular was well done and very near to the book. I have to appreciate the effort made here to make this film as close to the book as possible, especially considering the farce that was the Return of the King two years ago. There just wasn�39;t enough of the emoitional impact felt from reading these books translated on to the big screen. This can be best seen in Aslan. Not impressive, grand, or wonderous in the least, just a big animated lion. As much as I like Liam Neeson I think Brian Cox would have done a far better job. Hopefully the next film(s) in the series will be more emotional. Expand
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  100. SouE.
    Jan 2, 2006
    0
    A religious war oriented movie, teaching young kids how to be good soldiers, good evangelists, disguised in a Harry Potter style... I feel a shamed to have given a contribution with my ticket price to a massive production of evangelists brainwashers.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 39
  2. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. What is lightly sketched in the novel, where much is left to the imagination, blossoms into full-blown, richly detailed life in the movie.
  2. Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    80
    An array of supporting craftspeople pull the viewer into a credible alternative world, even if the film itself is more prosaic than inspiring.
  3. 50
    The problem with any allegorical plan, Christian or otherwise, is not its ideological content but the blockish threat that it poses to the flow of a story.