Writer: George Wong

Writer Ratings:
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Cast: NA
Plot: NA
Effects: NA
Cinematography: NA

Watch this if you liked: NA

Been there, seen that, done that. In a land unlike our own, where strange creatures roam and rule in epic proportions, a group of unlikely heroes battle the odds with swords, potions, magic, bows and arrows, as allies to the good, against the dominant evil ruler. Crossing frozen mountainous terrain through raging rivers and rolling hills on foot, they reach settlements as well as grand palaces and castles.

If this sounds anything like "The Lord Of The Rings" epic trilogy, it's because it comes from C.S.Lewis, a close friend of J.R.R Tolkien, the writer of the Lord Of The Rings books, is also shot in the same spectacular landscapes of New Zealand, and involved the same special effects company in the design and animation of its creatures.

To further drown its magic among cinema-goers of today, entering this magical world involves walking into an otherwise normal closet somewhere in England, around the middle of the 20th century. Doesn't that too sound like how our now established Harry Potter walked into an otherwise normal wall in between train platforms somewhere in England, around middle of the 20th century?

By now, cinema-goers have already been spoilt by the grand detail and epic creature battles scenes of Tolkien's books, and have already given in to fandom of the magical teenage team from the more recent Rowling books. Which book came after which is of less importance to the cinema-goers as which movie came after which. In a way, the emergence of "The Chronicles Of Narnia" brings nothing new in a period still reeking with the memories of Middle Earth and Hogworts.

On its own, it is still a well finished piece with creative renderings of the strange, the magical, the epic, in a level of detail we've come to accept. Not having been a reader of its books, like most who would be watching the movie, I can't tell if the swift pace is a result of cramming a long story into the limits of a two hour flick. There really isn't the time to get familiar with the characters, creatures, cultures, communities, country and their significance to the storyline as a whole. Many exotic characters that no doubt received months of creative attention flew past in a split second without having been introduced or explained. At times, it does in a way feel like a typical Disney tele-movie where a band of unlikely children make friends with creatures that adults will never believe, and eventually motivated enough to save the day.

Perhaps being timed with the upcoming year-end holidays targets it at an audience waiting for the annual wholesome family fantasy catered to children who would be thrilled at the heroism, the cuddly beavers, respectable lion, and the good triumphant over evil. For the now adult readers of this C.S.Lewis series, it could also be a dream come true.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008