Friday, April 16, 2010

Narnia

Continuing the A-Z Challenge from Arlee at Tossing it Out

Today is N - Narnia!

I did not grow up reading The Chronicles of Narnia. I guess I was busy reading my comic books at the time. But I have since read the series and did so before the first movie hit the screen. While I probably missed the excitement and thrill only a child could possess, I did enjoy the books and could easily see the Christian themes.

The first movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, was breathtaking. They were faithful to the book and captured the scenes splendidly. The second movie fell short because they decided to make changes and add new scenes. Compared to the first one, it was disappointing. Due to its lackluster box office take (and what moron decided it was better suited as a summer release when the first one did fantastic as a Christmas release?) the story of Narnia almost ended.

However, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is still slated for a December 2010 release. It's directed by Michael Apted, who also directed The World is Not Enough and Thunderheart. I think a new director will be good for the series. (It certainly helped the third Harry Potter movie.) They did lose Eddie Izzard as Reepicheep's voice, but Bill Nighy has taken his place and will do a superb job I'm sure.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favorite of the books, so I'm looking forward to its release. (Maybe Dez can get a scoop on it for us!)

Are you a Narnia fan? Did you read the books as a kid? What have you thought of the movies so far?

29 comments:

Will Burke said...

Didn't read the books, but I enjoyed the movies (I'm a sucker for epic battle scene's) and I'll probably see the next one.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

No Alex didn't read the books or see the films but did enjoy the music from the Lion King.
Another excellent post,
Have a lovely week-end.
Yvonne,

DEZMOND said...

Eh, Alex, there already is a scoop on DAWN TREADER over at HOLLYWOOD SPY. I've published the first pics last year, use the search button over there to find it :) It is strange, however that we still haven't got more pictures from the sets, no posters, no trailers, no nothing ... either they are late with the shooting or they don't like the product.

When it comes to the first movie, I must admit that although I enjoyed the snowy visuals and all those animals and the epic aspect of it, I did find it unusually, and maybe even inappropriately, violent in some scenes, when you have in mind it's a kids movie based on a children book.

Aslan was amazing, and James McAvoy too.

Helen Ginger said...

Haven't read the books. Did see the first movie - liked it. Didn't see the second. Perhaps I should rent it before the third comes out.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Tara said...

I read them as a child. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has been my favorite book since the day I started it. My son is going to start them next week. I can't wait :)

Talli Roland said...

I loved 'The Lion, The Witch' et al. They are so fantastical and I just loved the thought of nipping into a wardrobe and disappearing!

I haven't watched the films for fear of being let down.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I read the books in grade school - many times over!!! I was so excited for the first movie - I got tingles every time I saw a trailer. It was like watching a dream come to life.

Talli, the second one wasn't as good, but watch the first one - you won't be disappointed!

Anonymous said...

I read parts of Dawn Treader and Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe in elementary school and liked them. I read the entire series as an adult and loved them (and reread fairly frequently). I enjoyed the first movie but agree that it is not a children's movie. Yes, it stays very close to the book, but I think there are parts that are too violent on screen for young children. I have not seen the second movie (I'm not sure why since I own it!). Looking forward to seeing Dawn Treader, I didn't realize that was the next movie to come out!

Survivormama said...

The Chronicles of Narnia, book is awesome, movie just as awesome, I love how they kept it real and did not really waver too much from the book...Alex this was a great post!

Anonymous said...

I went rapidly off them after discovering that Susan didn't get to go into Narnia any more because she liked boys and lipstick, even though she'd been happily running around with bows and arrows one volume before... Ugh.

Natasha said...

Not seen the movies, and read the books only last year. But did like the books, though I am not sure if they live up to the hype.

~ Rayna

Glynis Peters said...

The Chronicles of Narnia, is a great selection, both in book and film (movie).

Elana Johnson said...

Oh, I'm a total Narnia fan. The books are simply amazing -- and I did read them as a kid. I've liked the movies, but not as much as I would've hoped. The second one was better than the first.

Beth Zimmerman said...

I read them as an adult too and loved them! I've enjoyed the movies such as they are but the books are far deeper and richer than the movies could even begin to be!

Julie Dao said...

I've only read the first three books, but I remember loving them too! The first movie was great, and the second was lackluster - I hear ya on both counts. I'm curious about this third movie coming out and I may see it, but I might wait until it comes out on DVD. Who knows!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Dez, the IMBD said the same thing - odd that no poster or trailer had been released.

Helen, the second isn't as good, but it will help you follow the story.

Tara, that's great!

Yeah, Talli, the first one really stays true to the book.

Melody, that's funny!

Thanks, Shannon.

Hampshire, she doesn't go back in the last one because she ceases to believe.

Beth, that is true with all books to movies I'm afraid.

Julie, you can bet I will post a review when it does come out!

Raquel Byrnes said...

I didn't read the books until I moved in with my husband and found his old box set from his childhood. He was shocked I'd never read them. I loved...loved, them and can't wait for the movies.

The Old Silly said...

Never read the books or saw the movies, but this post and all the comments has me wanting to.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Raquel, I feel bad I missed this as a kid.

Marvin! Have I ever steered you wrong? Read the first book and then watch the movie. Make judgements from there!

Unknown said...

Read all the books as a child and an adult. Loved them.

Haven't seen the movies. Most remiss considering they were made in NZ.

Must work on that :)

Ki said...

I loved the first one as a kid. I was convinced my closet would turn into a secret land if I waited in there long enough. LOL.

I thought the movie totally lived up to the book.

Jemi Fraser said...

I read a part of the Narnia series as a kid and thought it was okay. Never fell in love with it for some reason. I did think the movie was absolutely beautiful!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Wendy, you do need to work on that!

Ki, the first movie was perfect.

Jemi, at least you connected with the movie.

Lola Sharp said...

As a young child I read them over and over (also, A Wrinkle in Time fascinated me as a child). I hadn't read them as an adult until my daughter read them and loved them (when she was younger) , which inspired me to read them again...and I still loved them.

The first movie was quite good. I was afraid I'd hate it, because often books turned movie disappoint me.
I wanted to like the second one, the best I can say is the prince was cute. It was dull.
I didn't realize they were making the third movie...thanks for that info. I shall look forward to it.

Happy Weekend, Alex!

Arlee Bird said...

I thought I was going to sound like a real galoot in admitting that I'd never read the books or seen the movies, but looks like I'm in good company. I think the films are in my netflix queue. Maybe I should checkand make sure.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Roland D. Yeomans said...

After THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, I stopped reading. The original four children were gone, and so, too, was my interest. I skipped to THE LAST BATTLE where my friends were back -- almost all of them that is.

Have a healing weekend, Roland

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lola, glad you discovered them again.

Arlee, you've got to watch them.

Roland, The Horse and His Boy was really good and did contain the orginal characters toward the end of the story. (Takes place during the first book.)

Hannah said...

Yes, I was/am a huge fan of the book series and I love the new movies. I used to watch the BBC versions on PBS every time it was on. I'm excited for the new movie.

Jamie Gibbs said...

I never read the books as a kid (I was more of a Roald Dahl fan) but I did watch Lion, Witch and Wardrobe about a year back. I'd like to watch Prince Caspian too (and the original BBC series). I think I was too late to really enjoy Narnia, but I want to give a good stab at it :)