Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Breakfast and Narnia


We've said goodbye to Ladybug and Powerpuff. They came by for a big breakfast this morning. For six people, we do two pounds of bacon, a very cheesy dozen eggs, biscuits, and caramelized onions. Since we don't get together and do this very often, it's okay; our bodies will recover. Butterfly and The Boy are dropping them off in Ottawa to grab the bus back to Toronto. While Greyhound deposited them off right in town, but the only way to be sure of getting on for the ride home was to go to the big terminus in the city.


A few of you mentioned Narnia in your comments to the previous post. I am somewhat ambivalent in my feelings; I enjoyed it to a significant degree, and I'm definitely glad that I saw it, but I do have some reservations.


From what I remember, the movie is quite true to the book. They set the background well by showing how the kids got into Narnia, which looked very much like the near north of Ontario (and much of Canada) in winter. The girl who played Lucy was quite charming and delightful in my opinion, while Peter (in the photo) possibly seemed a little weak, or perhaps stilted, to me.


Aslan in the movie could not quite capture the Aslan of my imagination, but I was pleased that the film remained true to the Christian mythology of the book: death and resurrection; the sacrificial lamb (or lion); forgiveness and restoration; the conflict (both inner and outer) between good and evil — all presented in subdued and inoffensive sort of fashion.


Unlike Lord of the Rings, it's a kids movie. I'm glad that I saw it, but I wasn't blown away by it. I did not experience a reprise of the same sense of wonder that the books brought to me. Of course, I am a different person now; I did read the series as an adult but as a younger and much more credulous one.


By all means, go and see it. I feel fairly certain that most of you will enjoy it to a greater or lesser degree — probably greater. I can't think that many would actively dislike Narnia.

 

8 comments:

Dale said...

Thanks for the review, AC. Maybe I'll go see it this week.

Rhonda Gibson said...

Hubby and I went to see Narnia. I enjoyed it, I've never read the book. I would pay to see it again, hubby said he liked it but would wait for the DVD and buy it for me. The book? I have it and plan on reading it someday.

Rhonda

Bonita said...

I've seen previews, and the artwork is great - I'll rent it when it comes to Blockbuster Video. You've done a nice review. (I tend to stay out of theatres during flu season...)

Granny said...

The girls were treated to this movie as part of someone else's gift to them. They loved it.

I usually wait for the video on everything.

Granny said...

Sorry - meant to say because movie theaters don't come equipped with pause buttons

thebeloved said...

I saw it twice and it is amazing the difference of the impact depending on who you watch it with. Watching it with Christians who were unfamiliar with the story was awesome because they caught all the imagery for the first time. I loved it (obviously I went back a second time) but then again, I am one of those young types...

PBS said...

I haven't read the book or seen the movie yet. You've intrigued me enough so I want to see it when it comes out on DVD!

Pilgrim said...

I also wished the characters of the boys had been a little stronger. And Aslan's voice a little deeper. James Earl Jones would have been good for the voice.