The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Movie review by Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Timeless classic faithfully rendered.

PG 2005 140 minutes
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 102 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 171 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has some sad, scary, and violent scenes for a PG film. The movie begins with a bombing during the Blitz in London. The children are separated from their mother, which could upset some younger audience members. There are other sad scenes where animals die -- including principle characters. A friendly fox is chased and caught by a pack of wolves, who also chase the children. A witch yells at a young boy, chains him in prison, and stabs him. She also abuses her servant, stabs her enemies with a sword that turns them to stone, martyrs the lion, and leads troops into battle. The children learn to fight, then engage in hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting; one sister shoots an enemy with an arrow. There is a pitched battle with deaths and grave injuries. While not overt, the movie includes Christian imagery (a martyred, Christlike lion, a rebirth from magic water) and allegorical storylines.

Community Reviews

meydiana.rizki
meydiana.rizki Adult
October 24, 2022
age 9+

Nice fantasy movie for kids

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe should go down in the history books right up there with the likes of Lord of the Rings. I went to see it expecting a very good movie. I came out stunned by the magnitude of the picture. Everything about it is so well done, the casting, the scenery, the score. Lord of the Rings is the only thing I can think of to compare it to. I experienced the same overwhelming sense of awe watching both of these phenomenal pictures. The CG images are very good, though not quite as startlingly realistic as those in LOTR. I cannot find fault with the casting in any way. Though the voice of Liam Neeson is not as I would have imagined a lion's at first, it is smooth, confident, and effective. Aslan is given the presence so essential to the heart of the story. I must comment on the performance of James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus, which I believe was the best in the film. Lucy was adorable, and surprisingly convincing, and Peter was given a very firm performance. I was a little nervous about how Edmund would turn out, but I needn't have worried; those large, startlingly dark eyes are perfect for the change from traitor to hero. I commend the directors of the movie on their strict adherence to the book. Narnia isn't just "based" on the book. It IS the book. The scope, depth, and wonder of Lewis's world have been captured in a timeless manner that should be cherished for all ages. This is a movie for everyone, at a level for children to understand, yet with a fast plot and exciting battle sequences that will keep anyone interested. The last battle scene especially is as touching as any I have ever seen, including those in LOTR, putting tears in my eyes even while my heart soared. Go see Narnia for an exciting, well-done film, and a timeless message that our world so desperately needs. Ten stars!!

This title has:

Great role models
HGlasby
HGlasby Adult
September 25, 2022
age 2+

Awesome movie, a little violent.

We LOVE these books and this movie is great! The only thing I wish was different is the war scene, it’s a little too like what’s in adult movies. We’ve seen it twice (after we read the book) and I’ve had to have my kids under 8 leave for the battle scene (and when they kill Aslan). But other than that, such a great movie/story!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
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What's the Story?

Based on C.S. Lewis' beloved novel, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE begins when the Pevensie children -- Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Lucy (Georgie Henley) -- are sent away from the dangers of World War II to live in the country with Professor Kirke (Jim Broadbent). While playing hide and seek, they discover the magical wardrobe that serves a portal to Narnia, a kingdom under the power of the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Here they also discover their own strengths, as they learn of a prophecy declaring their participation crucial to saving Narnia. When 6-year-old Lucy first meets the faun Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy), her siblings won't believe her. But soon all four children have tumbled through the portal into Narnia and find they must rescue Edmond who has been enticed (and kidnapped) by the Witch. While the Witch holds Narnia under a wintry sway, she dreads the return of Aslan the lion (voiced by Liam Neeson), the character C.S. Lewis endows with savior-like properties. The Pevensies come to realize it's their destiny to save the kingdom. At first, they resist the dangerous mission, but Narnia friends teach them specific tasks they'll use in battle. By now, Peter, Susan, and Lucy are looking for Aslan, in hopes that he will help them save Edmond, currently in chains at the Witch's feet, even as she and her wolves are hunting the children. The Witch's power depends on her capacity to instill fear in her subjects, while Aslan inspires hope, the faith that conditions might change, that the sun might warm the earth.

Is It Any Good?

Long and lush and directed by Shrek's Andrew Adamson, this film makes a case for love among siblings by granting them a common enemy. The scariest scene in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe comes at the start: a night sky is filled with smoke and warplanes. As the Germans bomb London during WWII, the Pevensie children scramble to the backyard bomb shelter. designates moral positions in part by associating certain animals and mythical creatures with them. These embodiments take a cue from the Lord of the Rings franchise, assembled according to beauty and horridness: sleek and elegant animals like cheetahs and horses and centaurs form Aslan's crew; ogres, dwarves, and minotaurs constitute Jadis' fearsome assembly. None of the Christian elements are obvious and a viewer could watch the movie without realizing any of this -- as with the book.

The final battle returns the children to the film's opening: they witness (and now enact) violent destruction of bodies and material. The fight images are rendered in grand terms, as the two armies gather on hilltops and leaders raise their arms to prompt forward motion. This motion initially is like thunder -- a rush of rumbling hooves and wheels. At the moment of first impact, when a cheetah and a tiger leap on one another, the sound goes out for an instant. It's awful, maybe thrilling, but only for a moment. It recalls the awesome power of war, to pretend glory and abstract honor. And that is scary.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the bonds among the four siblings in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. How do they comfort and provoke one another while away from their mother and fearful about the war? How is Narnia a fantasy born of this combination of supporting one another and concern about their future?

  • How do the animals and creatures in Narnia represent different aspects of the children's daily lives -- their courage, fear, and desires?

  • Families might also discuss the Christian iconography in the film.

Movie Details

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