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

[Celtic_Emperor]

If you were like me and went to see Episode III at theaters, you will have seen the trailer for this movie. It is a remake of the original (which I haven't seen) and it is of course based on the book series by author C.S Lewis. There is also an animated series.

From what I saw, it looks visually entertaining with a good fantasy element. Lots of CG, but hopefully that won't ruin it and the movie will stay faithful to the novels.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is the first book (book 1 of 6 or is it 7) in the Chronicles of Narnia and begins the adventure.

The movie hits theaters December 9th, 2005. It could very well rival the Harry Potter series if they continue to make movies for each book. I have to admit I haven't seen any of the movies or read any of the Harry Potter books but I have seen trailers, but this trailer for Narnia looked very impressive, even though it was short.

And since The Chronicles Of Narnia predates Harry Potter the fanbase very well could be larger.

Whats strange about this trailer was that within a few seconds of it starting I knew it was this movie from this book without having seen anything visually at this point to prove it, and that was before I saw Lucy open the wardrobe. It was almost psychic like. I had no idea they were making this movie, so it was like deja vu to just instantly guess thats what this trailer was for and that for it to actually be true. What were the chances of that? This was the farthest thing from my mind its been so long. Something like this will never happen again or the chances are very unlikely that something random will pop into my mind and them bam, its on the big screen. Strange... :wooha:

Its probably because I really liked this series when I was a kid. It really caught my imagination and I collected the books and watched the cartoons.

This is probably the first time in a long time I'll be able to say I feel like a kid again. :happy:

The way Aslan roared at the end was cool.

 

[nessonite1]

And since The Chronicles Of Narnia predates Harry Potter the fanbase very well could be larger.

Larger maybe...but a lot older and probably less fanatical.
I wonder if this is from the original text or the PC "new" version. I like to think that someone came up with a screenplay that could match the original book but, especially if it's from a major studio, I fear they'll strip it of it's meaning and "kiddify" it. If I see the action figures pop up in toy stores and happy meal toys at McDonald's I'll lose all hope.
I'll have to look up the trailer online. I remain neutral until I have some evidence that they haven't bastardized it like they do everything else.
And seriously you've never seen the original movie? I thought everyone had. I own the whole series on DVD. The budjet was low but they made it work.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

From the scenes I saw I can say that they didn't omit anything. But then again we only have those scenes to go on, it doesn't speak for the rest of the movie. 😛 But even from what they showed it was clear to me that they are trying to depict chapters from the book in detail.

There were three key scenes they showed in the trailer, and those scenes in relation to the book basically make up the key plot points. So they apparently got those right and thats important.

I didn't know the original movie existed, otherwise I will have owned it.

EDIT:

Older fans, yes, but that they are probably and not being fanantical doesn't necessarily hurt ticket sales though it may not push merchandize sales. I think anyone would take their child to see this or go to see it themselves not knowing its based on a children's book which upon examination is symbolic of biblical happenings which I won't be specific about since that could spoil the movie.

If they put two and two together they may be pleasantly surprized. And when they discover C.S Lewis wrote this series that may influence book sales. And since the series has been fully released for such a long time there more to buy or you can buy the single volume book which includes all the Chronicles.

 

[Yet_One_More_Idiot]

I own all the books, and have the whole BBC series on video that came out when I was little (well, it was books "2", 4, 5 and 6 - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is usually considered to be 2, hence the quote marks).

Yeah, I too hope they haven't stripped the meaning and made it just another kiddies film, that would be a real shame - plus quite insulting to the descendants of CS Lewis. I think the older audience who know the Chronicles will probably take their children to see the film, and kids will either love it (and turn it into another merchandising phenomenon), or they'll think it's boring 'cos there isn't enough action (in which case it could very well nosedive and go straight to video). IMHO, the younger audience will be dictating what happens to it in the long run, so they'll most likely kiddify it and ruin the whole damn thing.

Here's hoping they don't, though. 🙂

 

[Roshi]

Well is still looks good because I'm a fan so it should be good. But still it had a Lord of the Rings Dramatic feel to it.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

It has minotaurs in it too. Thats cool. Minotaurs are my favorite mythical creature, whether they're evil or good.

 

[nessonite1]

The only reason I fear that they're filming the "new" PC version is that it uncomfortably close to the release of the edited books coming out (which happened in the last couple of years sometime). Hubby seems to think it's the edited version but I'm not sure where he got that. he usually knows his stuff though.
I still havent looked up the trailer. Must do that.

We shall see.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I think something is better than nothing. Thats my overall opinion. We still have the original, we still have the animated series, and we still have the books for our viewing pleasure. If this movies flops so what. There was at least an attempt. Its good to see something than nothing. And whether it delivers or not is beside the point, we're fans, we have the books, and that cannot be taken away by a movie.

 

[nessonite1]

The only bad part there is that now anyone who sees it is going to see the new one and not bother looking up the original unless directed by their parents. And lord knows nobody reads books anymore. So if it IS a total bastardization then it's an otherwise great story that will be totally lost on them.
Sorry, Ive just seen the new "Hitchhiker's Guide" movie and I'm a bit peeved by movie bastardizations.

 

[Ignatz]

The only reason I fear that they're filming the "new" PC version is that it uncomfortably close to the release of the edited books coming out (which happened in the last couple of years sometime). Hubby seems to think it's the edited version but I'm not sure where he got that. he usually knows his stuff though.
I still havent looked up the trailer. Must do that.

We shall see.

Nessie, the rumor that Harper Collins was issuing Lewis's books with the Christian elements expunged was just that...a rumor. Their marketing people did issue some memos in 2001 about de-emphasizing Lewis's Christianity in the promotional campaign and in a proposed PBS documentary. But their reissues of the Narnia books were unabridged. Indeed, the only abridged versions I can find for sale are audio dramatizations, which would necessarily be shortened for time considerations.

The movie was originally to have been directed by John Boorman, but he was replaced when it was learned that he did plan to jack with the story, eliminating the Christian elements and, of all things, transplanting the events to present-day California. It looks like what we'll get is a faithful, big budget epic, with plans to film all the sequels. We'll see.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I sure hope so. You only ever get so many chances to do right by a series.

 

[Cbarton]

A "PC'ed" veriosn of Narnia? Say it ain't so, Joe......

I read them in Junior High. I even had the album "The Roar of Love" by Second Chapter of Acts (a contemporary gospel group from the late 70's-ealry 80's) that was inspired by The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe. A great album, even if not a Christain if you like the Narnia series...

I too read from several Christain oriented magazines that the film is being/has been made 'true' to the original book, being endorsed by groups such as Focus on the Family, who promotes and sells audio versions of the book series for families to enjoy as good literature.

I am hopeful they will do it well, and not 'Batman' the follow-ups....

 

[nessonite1]

Are you serious, Iggy?
I havent seen the newly released versions myself. I would have to get one of the new ones and compare it to my own books.
If what you say is true (and it sounds almost too good to be) than that's definately a good thing.