[Ric Easton]

New to the world of Narnia...

Saw this last night with the wife and enjoyed it overall. My only complaint was that none of the "good guys" dies or remained dead. Although this is a children's story and I imagine pretty faithful to the book. It's just that when everyone ends up ok, it takes a little of the drama and peril out of it (and that Peter sure was good in a battle!).

My main question goes back to the books. Someone said that this was the first one published, but the second in the chronology... What's the set-up of the first book? Is it with different kids? Do all the books feature different visitors to Narnia?

And why didn't those kids ever think of returning back to Earth? Didn't they think their miother would have wondered what happened to them?

[David Williams]

Quote:

My main question goes back to the books. Someone said that this was the first one published, but the second in the chronology... What's the set-up of the first book? Is it with different kids?

It would appear the filmmakers are making the movies in publication order rather than chronological Narnian history order.

Spoiler:

The chronological first book, The Magician's Nephew, is about the Professor, Diggory Kirke, as a small boy in London and his best friend, Polly Plummer. Diggory's Uncle has been working on a magic ring that sends people to other worlds and unscrupulously uses the children as guinea pigs. The story is about their adventures and the creation of Narnia by Aslan.

Do all the books feature different visitors to Narnia?

Spoiler:

Somewhat. All four kids appear in Prince Caspian, while just Lucy & Edmund and another relative, Cousin Eustace, appear in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Cousin Eustace and friend, Jill, appear in the The Silver Chair. The Horse and His Boy doesn't feature any visitors from our world, but the adult Royalty versions of the four Pevensie children do appear. The Magician's Nephew has been discussed and The Last Battle features practically all of the previous visitors.

Quote:

And why didn't those kids ever think of returning back to Earth? Didn't they think their miother would have wondered what happened to them?

It would appear, and the film very subtly conveys this, that humans inside Narnia soon forget about the outside world. This is best illustrated when Lucy, in a very confused manner, says 'Spar Oom?" when confronted with the lamp post again.

[Adam Lenhardt]

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And why didn't those kids ever think of returning back to Earth? Didn't they think their miother would have wondered what happened to them?

Aside from David's very good explanation, they were also well aware that time outside of the wardrobe was frozen; that is, whenever they left they would end up exactly where they went in.

[Ric Easton]

Thanks guys! I wasn't sure if time was completely frozen or just ran differently... ie: 15 years might have equaled a month or so. (anyone ever read the Thomas Covenant books?) Even though by the end, it still looked like virtually no time had passed, I was wondering how the kids could have known that. But the explanation that they forget about their original world (so did not have a desire to get back) would certainly explain that.

I did catch the "Spare oom" line, but just figured it had been so long, and Lucy was the youngest, that she just forgot naturally. I figured the brothers (especially that Edmund) just didn't want to give up the throne!

[Tim Glover]

For those who have the soundtrack I have a question. I noticed yesterday at fye there are 2 versions. One is the regular cd with the 3-D type cover, then another one that has a thick case that also has a dvd with the trailer and other misc stuff...

Anyone have the cd with the dvd? Quality of the dvd? Sound, image? Reason I ask is that I LOVED the trailer and would love it on dvd.

Thanks!

[Ricardo C]

I just got back from the crummiest showing of "Narnia" in the history of man. Putting aside the screaming children, the non-clever non-wit of the parents ("Ooh, they're gonna crash!" just as the armies are about to collide in the final battle, followed by "give him some more, you stingy brat!" as Lucy gives Edmond a drop of the elixir), and the out of focus picture, the power went out 10 minutes into the film. When it came back 10 minutes later, the projector crapped out for another 5 minutes.

I hate incompetent projectionists, I hate children, I hate their parents, and most of all, I hate the assholes who can't tell their children to kindly not imitate a lion during EVERY QUIET SCENE IN THE FILM.

"Cinema is a communal experience"? "Seeing cinema through the eyes of a child"? I'll take being a misanthropic anti-social movie fan any day of the week, thanks. Addendum to my New Year's Resolution List: Get rich and build a multiplex-sized HT as an addition to my house. I'll even have the full 2-300 seats put in, just so I can look around me and rejoice at the idea that 99% of them will never be used

But I'm not bitter

[Chuck Mayer]

Quote:

Still waiting for Mr. Chuck Mayer to see this movie....

So was I. But finally saw it this afternoon after a LONG wait, including having it on DVD since release date (two-disc of course).

I liked it. I didn't love it, because I feel a little old for it, but it was very well done. It did feel a bit like LOTR's littlest brother, but in a good way. It was earnest and paced.

I thought the kids were hardly fugly. Susan will be quite attractive when I am legally allowed to say so. I agree that Lucy stole the film. It was a great performance of a child by a child. No freaky Haley or Dakotabots to be seen. The effects, a point of contention at the Oscars, were excellent as well, especially Aslan.

I wish I had seen the film in the theater, but it wasn't to be so. I am glad I've seen it, and I look forward to the next film. The Silver Chair was my favorite book. Followed by The Magicians Nephew (which gave me a very soft spot for the ending of this film).

I look foward to seeing it again. Very quality film, and my son will probably love it in a few years!

[Lou Sytsma]

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look foward to seeing it again. Very quality film, and my son will probably love it in a few years!

Yep my 6 year old loved it!

[Tim Glover]

Glad you finally saw it Chuck. Like you, my first viewing I also liked it. On repeated viewings, I have grown to love it and it's high on my best of 2005 list. It's a film that I found myself comparing it to LOTR so much that it got in my way of enjoying it for what it was. The comparisons to LOTR are inevitable though.

Narnia has a great soundtrack that also holds stronger on repeated viewings.

Really looking forward to the next installment.

[David Noll]

Ricardo, I hear ya!

That's the reasons I built my theater. Check out my link below. It is far superior to any public theater I've been to. I can't seat 200-300 but 15-20 and if the kid's get annoying I just kick them out. The time from cinema to DVD is getting shorter and shorter. I can wait until the DVD is released.

David