A Wonderful Family Movie By Candida Eittreim on Jul 11, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

Having just gifted my 13 year old with the book by CS Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, we were all excited about watching Narnia.

No where near as complex as C.S. Lewis' close friend J.R.R. Tolkiens LOTR, or even Harry Potter, the movie is simply delightful.

Four children are sent by their Mum, off to the country, during the London Blitz. They are dropped off at a train station, and picked up by a sour Mrs. McReady, who makes the rules of the Professors house abundantly clear-Don't bother him.

Lucy, angry Edmund, Susan and Peter are left mainly to their own devices. Finally, tired of bickering amongst themselves one day, Lucy, the youngest, suggests a game of hide and seek. Reluctantly all agree, and in the hiding Lucy discovers a "magic" wardrobe, which leads to Narnia.

The children, relative unknowns are charming and believable in their individual roles. The action picks up, as Narnia soon becomes real for the rest of Lucy's reluctant, unbelieving siblings.

Never heavy handed, or overly moralistic, the movie remains faithful to C.S. Lewis' book and vision. Aslan the Lion,is both noble and touching. The children's growth in things that truly matter develop through subtle use of words and choices.

Both my 15 and 13 year old sons loved the movie, and have watched it again, as have others in my family. It is a delight, and very refreshing to find a true family movie that manages to impart character and avoid glitz and gratuitous violence.