I have trouble respecting your comments…you seem to be comparing two very different types of movies, made for two different audiences. It is like trying to compare Saving Private Ryan and Lassie.

Certainly, there were some things (like the wardrobe’s role as a portal) that were not thoroughly explained: even in the books Lewis leaves much open to mystery and the imagination. As for the winter ending, there is your inaugurated eschatology, etc.

And about LoTR: they movies were okay, but nothing compared to the books. You seem to be quite dazzled by the impressive cinema of Peter Jackson (which I still respect) but which created a whole list of incongruencies that are not in the books. Things as ridiculous as the ice in Narnia. To nit-pick by way of uninformed opinion is, as you said, “just shooting from the hip”. Carefully you do not accidentally fire upon something of value.

I liked the Narnia movie: they captured the spirit of the books and brought the story to a new audience. It was not perfect (I have my own heistations about it) but it connected in a big way with me.

Read the LoTR and Narnia books! That is where the good stuff is.

Jason-welcome to blog world! I’m assuming this is Mr. Tockey. I read your post on Narnia too, good stuff.

Peggy-it is easy to be critical when we are spoiled with Lord of the Rings. it’s so well done.

Daniel-Aslan’s roar was pretty freakin loud. i was just unsatisfied with his explanation for the resurrection. i’m just going to keep reading/listening.

The main disappointment of the movie for me, having read the stories, was the downplaying of the redemptive story and development of the children’s awe and love of Aslan. I think Lewis did a great job of exploring simple childlike love and excitement as the Christlike figure (Aslan) is encountered and come to be known by the children and the movie didn’t capture it enough. Lucy came the closest but they could have done better.

A couple of other responses your review.
The river and wolf scene not in the book think added for dramatic effect. Remember it is a movie suspension of disbelief is part of the experience.
Father Christmas and the melting snow.
Aslan has come the beginning of the end of the queen’s kingdom. Father Christmas had been kept out by her power not it is breaking, in fact you see it melting including her crown. These things were explained in the movie.
Regarding the Witch, did you see any satan parallels? Accuser, deceiver, etc.

I hope you read the books. They are wonderful but remember they are explorations of know Christ and redemption in a way that will be understood by children. The two most powerful parts of the movie were the exchange between Lucy and Tummnus after the coronation about Aslan not being tame but being good. Then the professor and Lucy as the credits were rolling, but to get the most of that one you probably need to read The Magician’s Nephew.