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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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  • Tilda Swinton & Skandar Keynes 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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141 - 160 (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 fantasy aspect is merely a vehicle for another purpose, [and] it underdevelops character motives as a result.

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
12/08/05
Jeffrey Chen
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

The Chronicles of Narnia proves, sometimes, talking animals are not funny. Sometimes, they are waging a holy war, and Santa Claus is giving kids weapons for Christmas.

Full Review Source: WaffleMovies.com | comment Comment
12/08/05
Willie Waffle
Willie Waffle
WaffleMovies.com

By the end of Narnia, I felt like I was retaught a lesson I had long since learned instead of living the dream of a new discovery. Suitable in that there are clearly no small metaphors, only small movies about those metaphors.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
12/08/05
Erik Childress
Erik Childress
eFilmCritic.com

I was less than thrilled with the prospect, after seeing the film's mediocre trailer, of spending two plus hours with "The Chronicles of Narnia." But, boy, am I glad I did.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
12/08/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

this could be considered Disney's bloodless version of The Passion, but couching these lessons of sacrifice and forgiveness in a magical world where animals talk and fauns frolic was an inspired way to appeal to the child in all of us

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
12/08/05
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

The perennial children's classic by C. S. Lewis has been lovingly, thrillingly, enchantingly, brilliantly brought to screen in this flawless adaptation.

Full Review Source: Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies | comment Comment
12/08/05
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Whenever it allows the whimsy of its source material to shine through, it takes on a pleasant life of its own.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
12/08/05
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

It's magic, but not the loud, shiny kind: It has the texture of worn velvet, or a painstakingly hand-knit sweater stored away for years in tissue paper.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
12/08/05
Stephanie Zacharek
Stephanie Zacharek
Salon.com

There's no hideous beast or CGI landscape rendered here that can compare with what lurks in the mind of even the dullest, least imaginative child.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
12/08/05
Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti
Filmcritic.com

For Narnia fans and for those who dig the mixture of animation and human beings.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
12/08/05
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

The Chronicles of Narnia is not a bad fantasy film. It's just not a great one.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
12/08/05
Bill Muller
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic

The movie does this quite well, and it also has an engaging young heroine in Henley, who could not be more charming and natural.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
12/08/05
William Arnold
William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

It's gorgeous and amazing, sure, but money can't buy emotional connection, and that's what it needs so badly.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
12/08/05
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

This honorable adaptation of C. S. Lewis's novel has much of the power and charm of the source.

comment Comment
12/08/05
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It achieves an overall epic sweep most movies don't even dare to attempt.

Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
12/08/05
Phoebe Flowers
Phoebe Flowers
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Spiritual redemption is a big theme of Narnia, but on a purely entertainment level, the movie also goes a long way in redeeming the current sad state of children's fantasy filmmaking.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
12/08/05
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor

It has visual splendor, unsullied earnestness and a strong sense of holiday showmanship.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
12/08/05
Philip Wuntch
Philip Wuntch
Dallas Morning News

That's not to say this Wardrobe isn't worth climbing into. Only that along with the dollops of delight, a bit of disappointment awaits on the other side.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
12/08/05
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

Grown-up children who remember our own travels in Narnia will find that many of the details resonate beautifully.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/08/05
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

The Chronicles of Narnia is a faithful rendering of a magical tale that should hold adults' attention and delight young moviegoers.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
12/08/05
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today
 
 
141 - 160 (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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