DVD Review: Chronicles fail to
tell the real story
 By
Patrick Ryan
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
A FEW years ago we would probably have been raving about the brilliance
of this film. But since then we have had The Lord Of The Rings trilogy
and to a lesser degree the Harry Potter saga which have put the bar so
high for the fantasy genre that the first big screen adventure in CS Lewis’
universe is a decidedly disappointing affair.
The biggest problem is with the pacing. It rips along at such a pace,
obviously to ensure that everything is covered, that there is no time
to infuse proceedings with any kind of depth or gravitas.
The effects and the sets are decidedly ropey. It is clear that the budget
was a major issue here.
The cast are all given little to work with. Tilda Swinton’s witch
should have been a delight —instead she is relegated to a Darth
Maul-style cameo.
It’s a problem that also affects the character of Aslan. His appearance
should have been a pivotal moment however director Andrew Adamson is so
determined to keep things under two-and-a-half hours that Aslan is barely
in it. A cardinal sin for anyone who read the book.
Lord Of The Rings and Potter showed that audiences are prepared to sit
through a longer film if the quality is there.
The Chronicles Of Narnia should have taken a leaf out of their book but
instead we are served with a lukewarm adaptation that is happy to be merely
okay when it should have been mesmerising.
Starring Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, William Moseley and Liam Neeson.
Directed by Andrew Adamson. |
