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Movies / On DVD / The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)

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Reviews Counted:202

Fresh:151

Rotten:51

Average Rating:6.9/10

Consensus: With first-rate special effects and compelling storytelling, this adaptation stays faithful to its source material and will please moviegoers of all ages.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for battle sequences and frightening moments.

Runtime: 2 hrs 30 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:08-12-2005

Synopsis: Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie--in order to keep her children safe... Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie--in order to keep her children safe during World War II--sends Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmond (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Peter (William Moseley) off to stay at a professor's country estate. Away from London and under the care of a strict housekeeper, they are instructed to stick to themselves and stay out of trouble. But when an innocent game of hide-and-seek leads young Lucy to a spare room containing a large wardrobe, she discovers something that will change their lives forever. Inside the wardrobe there is a world frosted with ice and filled with magical beings. Known as Narnia, the land is stuck in eternal winter at the hands of the cruel White Witch, played with great force by the pale, strong-featured Tilda Swinton. When she steps back into reality, Lucy struggles to convince her skeptical siblings of the things she's seen. After much disbelief, the others finally enter the world as well, learning that the creatures of Narnia have long been waiting for humans like themselves to appear and break the witch's spell. But in order to be of any help to the lovable talking beavers, fawns, foxes, and centaurs that they meet, the four will have to face betrayal by one of their own as Edmond cracks under the witch's tempting offer of unlimited Turkish Delights. Under the leadership of the great lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson), can Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and the oldest, Peter, prove themselves heroes in the ultimate battle of good vs. evil? High-budget special effects, impressive performances by the film's young newcomers, and beautiful set design move this film far beyond previous television adaptations. [More]

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy, Anna Popplewell

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, James Cosmo, Ray Winstone, Dawn French, Rupert Everett, Kiran Shah

Director: Andrew Adamson

Director: Andrew Adamson
Screenwriter: Ann Peacock, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Producer: Mark Johnson
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

[See More Credits]

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    The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Trailer
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    Behind The Magic of Narnia: The Story
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    Andrew Adamson Interview
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    James McAvoy & Georgie Henley Interview
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    Anna Popplewell & Willaim Mosley Interview
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Reviews for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch,...

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41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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The world of Narnia looks exactly as I had imagined it as a child.

Full Review Source: Mark Reviews Movies | comment Comment
01/15/06
Mark Dujsik
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies

This PG-rated movie feels safe and constricted in a way the story never does on the page. It leaves out the deep magic of a good movie, or a good sermon: the feeling that something vital is at stake.

Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
01/06/06
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone

Director Andrew Adamson's adaptation, the first in what is sure to be a series of films, brings it alive with a childlike sense of awe and wonder.

Full Review Source: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema | comment Comment
12/31/05
Mark Pfeiffer
Mark Pfeiffer
Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

...effectively replicates the experience of reading Lewis' book.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
12/31/05
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fable that captures a fully realized landscape of honor, love, sacrifice, betrayal and forgiveness

Full Review Source: Atlantic City Weekly | comment Comment
12/29/05
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly

It's big-scale fantasy without the bombast.

Full Review Source: Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) | comment Comment
12/24/05
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Brilliant child actors eomtionally sell an effects-heavy but seamless and true adaptation of the beloved book.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
12/23/05
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

The film is unfortunately uneven, with great moments followed by not-so-great moments.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
12/22/05
Jeff Otto
Jeff Otto
IGN Movies

Viewers who enjoyed the LOTR threepeat should find similar compensations in this less ambitious undertaking.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
12/21/05
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

The Look Is Fancy, But Its A Skewed Epic.

Full Review Source: Outtakes With Fiore | comment Comment
12/19/05
Fiore Mastracci
Fiore Mastracci
Outtakes With Fiore

Shooting in New Zealand is only one way in which this film mimics THE LORD OF THE RINGS. But somehow one never really cares much for the four children who generally just do the obvious.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment 1 Comment
12/18/05
Mark R. Leeper
Mark R. Leeper
rec.arts.movies.reviews

All the CGI in the world can't distract you from the idea that it's all a little bit silly, a children's story that works better on the page.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
12/18/05
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

Bloated, bland, boring stuff.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
12/17/05
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Sacramento News & Review

Long may it roar.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/17/05
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

There's no fire, no passion and not much fun.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
12/16/05
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Magical images, a compelling story and solid acting.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
12/16/05
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Brings to life the rich cast of Lewis' mythical and allegorical characters in vivid detail, setting them against breathtaking landscapes.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
12/15/05
Les Wright
Les Wright
culturevulture.net

What movie would Jesus see this holiday season? God help us if it's The Chronicles of Narnia ... I'm surprised Mel Gibson wasn't hired to guest-direct the crucifixion scene.

Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | comment 1 Comment
12/15/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

A lackluster screen adaptation of Lewis' novel.

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
12/15/05
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

A wonderful excursion that's alive with the imagination of fantasy literature and in tune with the beating heart of family cinema.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Weekly | comment Comment
12/15/05
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Charlotte Weekly
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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