Narnia

[insaneneko]

Saw the movie.



First off, I basically went in with very little knowledge of the story. I watched parts of a series that ran on PBS many years ago. I'm pretty sure I tried reading the first book, and failed. It just didn't catch me. Having watched the movie, I finally figured out why.

I don't care about the characters. I made no connection with any of them, with the possible exception of Lucy. Definitely felt nothing for Aslan (besides "cool SFX!") or the Witch (she was totally cool when she fought, though). I watched the pretty movie adaptation (which, I'm told by those who remember the story, is quite faithful) with a hollowness in me. It was kind of depressing how much I felt like I was on the outside looking in, instead of caught up in the action.

As a movie? It was decent. Simplistic plot, yes, but it's a children's story after all. Some of the action was way over-dramatized for me.

I made the mistake of trying to find out the plot of the other books in the series at Amazon. Oh boy. The decent summaries are all in the reviews, where all they can talk about the Christian-ness of the story. I don't care it it's a great allegory or whatever. It totally failed as a story for me! Is that all the reviewers can praise about the series? That it has a great Christian message? GAR.

And for a very superficial end to this review (?), I have to say the actor who plays young Peter is very much the type I like. But older Edmund is totally gorgeous. Peter grows up into the kind of guy that totally turns me off. :P

Oh, and the music was pretty good. Alanis Morrisette sang a very nice song that sounded nothing like anything she's ever done. ^_^

Comments

[ladysunflow.livejournal.com]

I always find it funny that when I read the books as a child, and then re-read then in the original English version a few years ago, I never even once seen it as a christian alegory. For me it was always just "whoa magic wardrobes, money trees, talking lions, kids --- fun" ^_^;;

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Yeah, I didn't see the allegory part at all as a child. But then, I didn't see the point at all then, or now. :P

[zehavit-lamasu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the christian angle was lost on me completely, possibly because I am Jewish. I love the books to bits, possibly due to nostalgic value, nowadays I find CS Lewis style a tad condecending but still - I love the stories. Mind you - I always LOATHED the last book in the series (Last Battle) and refuse aknowleging it as part of the Narnia Saga XD

Oddly - I always associated greatly with Edmund. I believe I was in love with him when I was a little girl. I always liked flawed characters.

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I've pretended the last book in a series didn't exist, either. The funny thing is, I grew up and reread it and found myself in love with it. Amazing how a change in perspective (or maturity, take your pick) can change things. XD

[himekawarie.livejournal.com]

Mmm... I read all the books and i didn't even realized any symbolis it has in it until i reache the last paragraph of the last book...
and then i read all of the all over again and...
voila! instant knowledge more than anything i've ever imagine.
I haven't watched the movie but i'm sure i will.

THR

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've had that experience before. I love stories that have layers of meaning that you can discover each time you reread it.