The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

I can't help it, but the first part never impressed me. The only thing I truly appreciate about it are the tricks, both classic and digital. They simply look amazing. However, the story didn't engage me, nor did the characters, except maybe Aslan. I'm surprised that the series is still continuing and more parts are expected. (14/03/2015)

An awkward and boring mix of Lord of the Rings (camera swoops, the battle cries, slow-motion shots) and Harry Potter (colorful production design and Victorian-style sets), but boring plot-wise and technically very clunky. The final battle is okay, but the lack of blood and excessive visual effects bring down the overall effectiveness to average. The young actors are surprisingly unlikeable and not very equipped in terms of acting, which could still be bearable if they had anything to work with; the dismal script doesn't give them much space. Beautiful production design and artistic style are not everything, and the film starts to become boring after a while, that is if you are older than twelve. (12/05/2006)

No grateful spectacle from successful morning teenage fantasy, on the contrary. Missing the last 20 minutes would be the prototype of a truly unpleasant film for me. The children argue the whole time except for the ending, and their actors (possibly except for Lucy) are incredibly annoying. In combination with eye-catching tricks, lecturing Aslan, and not-so-likeable supporting characters, it's truly a big defeat. (05/03/2006)

The film’s reputation of being a mix of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings is absolutely nonsensical. The target child audience combined with a properly functioning fantasy world only works in terms of very broad themes. Andrew Adamson may be able to sit in front of a computer and work with his team to create the animated adventures of an ogre, but he hasn't managed to lay the groundwork for a new fantasy saga. Adamson relies solely on the visuals (which in many cases are quite shoddy) and completely disregards any kind of lifespan of Narnia as a world that is meant to keep the viewer hooked. The director tries to compensate the very lengthy first half with a more action-packed second half, but any drive is wasted thanks to the lack of heroism of the child characters, who become the saviors of Narnia more or less thanks to a few cuts between some sloppy dialogue. Adamson also lacks an eye for detail - how I wished that when Peter first drew his sword, the camera had slowly taken in its shining metal in all its glory. The cameraman was completely incomprehensibly restrained, which makes the magnificence of the final battle completely disappear and the film as a whole is a disproportionately long fairy tale, one that I would enjoy only after blowing out the eighth candle on my cake. (03/04/2006)

For children under 12 years old, this is a wonderful spectacle. I am not going to deny that I enjoyed it immensely when I was quite young, and I daresay it even trumped Lord of the Rings for me – however, times change, and so do opinions. Today I would say it is just another cult movie alongside Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, but this time aimed at younger children. Adults will be a bit hesitant, teenagers will probably be rather disappointed. Why? The first stumbling block is the four child actors, the only one I liked was Anna Popplewell as Susan. The other three are just as demented as the families in The Simpsons, or even Family Guy. Skandar Keynes as Edmund is grumpy, obnoxious, and unlikable from the get-go, William Moseley comes across as a serious and wannabe classic-positive-character-with-whom-it-is-easy-to-identify-with type, and Georgie Henley, who is a slowly rising star in the US, and even compared to AnnaSophia Robb and Dakota Fanning, is lovely, but only when she has to be. Otherwise, she is so big-headed, pouty, and smug it is horrible to watch. On the other hand, Tilda Swinton is excellent and gives off a wonderfully icy impression, the digital treatment of Aslan and the magical creatures is breathtaking. The plot is, however, mediocre. All in all: this is an excellent movie for kids under twelve, and an average movie for most adults, the dissatisfied ones may mostly be teenagers or some adults or older people. Andrew Adamson should go back to Shrek. P.S In addition to all of that, another thing: Gregson-Williams' soundtrack is absolutely amazing (especially “The Battle”). (17/06/2008)