This has a much been discussed topic here and there in forums and other circles of people engaging in discussion. Just came back from the movie yesterday and guess what i watched… yes of course Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Personally, I loved the storyline for I find it beautiful and has many principles which i agree with. Base on our master Lewis’s background we know that the Narnia storyline in book two is rather much an allegory of how Jesus Christ gave up his life for our salvation but in a fairy tale manner. Lewis wanted so much to spread this good news and he did so through the passion of writing. And for that, his works are still being studied and they still touch peoples hearts. Hehehe one can write a whole thesis on him. I recommend so much the first book of Narnia:The Magician’s Nephew. See the similarity of the creation of the world in The Silmarillion, which is also an allegory of the book of Genesis. Genius, absolute genius and beautiful.
However I’m unfortunately disappointed with how the movie was produced. The movie in my rating was just ok..not the WOW factor like Lord of The Rings.I just don’t think that the movie captured the full essence of the message C.S.Lewis wanted to portray out there. Or maybe it is because of the fantasy and magical elements that were playd out so much in the movie that it has become a little bit off. Either that or maybe LOTR has given the movie business too much to beat now. The casting was right on the spot, they got good actors and Liam Neesan (Quigon-Jin) was perfect as Aslan. A deep commanding yet fatherly like voice…wonder if Sean Connery would’ve also been good. Little Lucy was superb and played her character well, all the acctors did. And Jadis.. my my.. she was cold!
Now Lord of The Rings, is still the movie of all movies…to me ^_^ anyway. Storyline is fantastic without a doubt, even without the movie to make it even more fantastic. Movie is also undeniably fantastic. I’m running low on vocabulary here. The book and the movie just make me speechless, especially the Silmarillion!
Now as for Harry Potter, unfortunately as much as some people would disagree that it is a good book. I have to say that Rowling knew what she was writing and she gave her audience what she wanted. Goes the same for the movie. Interesting though that none of the HP books was ever in a bright environment, plot was anyway. I might even go as far as to actually suggest it could be a gothic novel, cause of how dark it is at times. The HP books definately clash with most of my principles, the point of magic for instance in this manner (that’s a different story and different argument altogether). What I don’t like is, if one thinks about it, when you have magic, there is practically no point in anything anymore and the concept of who has the most power is the one in control. Magic makes things happen easily and that is when one does not learn anything in my opinion. You won’t learn if things come easily your way. My opinion, feel free discuss ^_~.
Anyway conclusion is that these three stories meet in the fantasy world. And movie critique wise, I’d give LOTR first followed by Narnia and HP(as an overall until movie 5). However i think that movie 5 of HP is unfortunately better than narnia, emphasis on movie wise, not book or overall!
But do go catch Narnia, it’s very worth the watch and even more so if you can see the hidden allegory in Narnia. Truely a beautiful beautiful movie and i completely and utterly recommend the soundtrack!!!! I’m sorry Howards Shore but it actually beats some of your LOTR music.
