Rate Narnia (spoiler-free thread)

[John Crichton]

I don't get non spoiler threads. I mean you can't discuss the movie, so why have a thread about it. I am starting a thread to not discuss the movie??????

There are usually two threads for popular movies out right now. One with spoilers and one without. The reason for the non-spoiler thread is for the folks who haven't seen it yet, may be on the fence about it or just want some opinions from boardmates about the film before seeing it (perhaps vs seeing another film or just passing). Makes perfect sense to me. And you can certainly talk about the movie, just don't spoil any of the plot points or cool scenes.

Go to the spoilers thread to talk in depth about the film.

 

[John Crichton]

There would be very little from the book to put back in. The movie followed it almost exactly, with even a couple of additions like extra scenes with the wolves and the bombing raid in the beginning.

Hmmm, I guess that's true (from what I've read here and elsewhere) as far as additional material. But I've also read about a few deleted scenes that could easily be spliced back in that fill out a few story points a bit more. I won't go into details as this is the non-spoiler thread.

But either way, I'm good to go with a feature packed DVD and no extended cut.

No barebones stuff, please...

 

[Old One]

Snuck out of work this morning to catch the 11 AM early show over an extended lunch break. I gave it a 7.5...which I rounded up to 8. I probably would have enjoyed it more, except (a) The sound sucked...major problems throughout the movie and (b) right before the opening credits, a troop of 14 nine-to-eleven year old girls came in and plopped down right in front of me, resulting in lots of whispers, loud popcorn smacking, etc.

Neither of these are movie problems, but both were distracting. I did have a couple of nitpicks and things I thought they could have left in, but I really enjoyed it overall and hope for success to see more made.

~ OO

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I gave it a 9.

Great movie. Held to the book very well.

Without turning rhis into religious discussion - I was amazed that the Christian allegory was not watered down at all*. Now you couldn't tell the story correctly and get rid of it, but I was worried that the filmmaker would try. It was very nice to see that he didn't. That was what kicked the movie from a 7.5/8 to a 9 for me.


* some of the details of it were missing, but the mood and feel were there. I could use the movie as a Sunday School lesson.

 

[Zarithar Savageclaw]

I enjoyed it and will be seeing it again soon. My nitpicks were minor ones. I feel Aslan's role was kind of watered-down... he just didn't get enough screen time. Also, I would have liked to see more of the scene in the Witch's castle when Aslan "awakens" all the stone creatures. We barely even got a glimpse of good old giant Rumblebuffin! I loved the beavers, but was somewhat puzzled that Mr. Beaver's explanation of "who is Aslan" was also cut down to a fraction of what it was in the book. Like others, I am hoping that there will be an extended cut on DVD. I'm looking forward to Prince Caspian.

 

[Dark Jezter]

You know, with the success of children's fantasy movies like Narnia and Harry Potter, I really wouldn't mind seeing live-action movies made of Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain books.

 

[Arnwyn]

A solid 9 from me. I enjoyed myself immensely.

 

[noretoc]

I never read the book. I gave the movie a 6 because of how often you saw deux machina (I know I botched the spelling somehow) so many thing happen, just to make them happen, not for any logical reason. I didn't like that at all.

 

[Droogie]

Without turning rhis into religious discussion - I was amazed that the Christian allegory was not watered down at all*. Now you couldn't tell the story correctly and get rid of it, but I was worried that the filmmaker would try. It was very nice to see that he didn't. That was what kicked the movie from a 7.5/8 to a 9 for me.


* some of the details of it were missing, but the mood and feel were there. I could use the movie as a Sunday School lesson.

Actually my main gripe about the movie is that the allegory was watered down a bit much.They really needed to hit you over the head with it. For the record, I'm not overly religious and I don't go to church. But by toning down, they stripped away some of the drama and power of a few key scenes. There were two scenes that they really had to nail but the director wasn't quite up to task: when Aslan and the two girls are walking through the forest, and theresurrection scene. they felt a bit rushed. I also agree with Zarithar that Aslan got short-changed in the screen time. Much of the majesty of the character was lost.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Saw it this weekend, and I'd say it definitely rates a 9. It's no masterpiece of theatre, but it is very entertaining, and definitely worth buying the DVD for. Never read the books, so I don't have those to compare the film to. And let's be honest folks, very little in the realm of cinema is going to measure up to Lord of the Rings.

As for the Christian themes, I thought the movie got the points across w/o beating the audience over the head with them, particularly the Aslan-as-Jesus aspect.

I thought the kids were very believable, but didn't really feel sorry for Edmond(Edward?) as he was just an obnoxious prat getting his just desserts. I really got a kick out of the banter between Mr. & Mrs. Beaver.