Too much hollywood formula - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Reviews

A new formula has entered Hollywood. Find a long time favorite fantasy classic, throw a bunch of CGI graphics at it, ensure there is a mass combat and ignore other aspect of film making. Except for Lucy, the other three children (Peter, Susan and Edmond) are honestly but uninspiring portrayed. Swinton gives a great visual as the White Witch but her lines lack flair or charisma. In short, no one will walk around after this movie quoting its characters. But of course, Hollywood does not assume that anything such as good lines or character development are what the paying audience attends the theatre for ? the new formula says we show up for CGI mass combat grand finales. And that the movie delivers. The graphics are smooth and highly creative and the ebb and flow of the battle easy to follow (unlike the battles of Alexander) and true to the book. The only aspect of the battle that rang false was the horrible matching of lines and visuals. In every scene Peter?s army is shown clobbering the evil minions of the White Witch, but every line spoken by indicates that the opposite is occurring. Only the White Witch and her minotaur general is capable of doing anything other than throwing themselves upon the blades of a noble Narnian defenders. In Narnia, there is a conscious effort to remain true to the novels, something entirely disregarded by Jackson?s portrayal of characters in the LOTR trilogy. This is highly appreciated. Unfortunately this also included the one cop-out of the book?.where Aslan agrees to sacrifice himself for Edmund and then uses a loop-hole to get out of his part of the bargain. In Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus (Whom Aslan symbolizes) is shown backing out of his sacrifice and the remainder of the movie shows consequence of his decision. Fortunately, Jesus is permitted to repent, bring himself back to the cross and salvation ?accomplished?. No such moment exist for Aslan. Instead, we get to watch him kill the subdued and helpless White Witch without a moment of forgiveness or mercy. Hardly a complimentary tribute to the King of Christianity. SappyOmegaGuppy