My wife took me to a popular chick flick tonight, some movie about a big battle that apparently was inspired by something C.S. Lewis wrote, I’m guessing something in his memorable Chronicles of Narnia series. I enjoyed the books an awful lot, and managed to enjoy the movie somewhat as well. Nice catapults – the kind any engineer should admire.
I went into it expecting to be confronted with some deep and challenging thoughts loaded with subtle Christian insights. But I spent most of my time watching chaotic fight scenes, frequently wondering how Susan’s quiver always managed to have five or six arrows in it no matter how many she shot, and also puzzling over how that delightful mouse managed to knock over burly soldiers. Physics are different in Narnia. Maybe that was the point – not sure.
Of course, the whole movie was about that big kiss at the end – never mind all the needlessly dead bodies. I saw that coming from miles away. Typical chick flick.
I disagree in part with that, but maybe it’s just me missing some subtle tone in your blog post, but if after seeing said movie you come out thinking Catapults (though they were nifty) and chick flick, then you may have missed something there.
I just watched it this week, and I must say that I did notice some more… useful themes underlaying the story. Useful in the sense that they are based in religion and it’s statues. Maybe when the movie comes out on DVD one should purchase it (or rent as the case may be) and check again.
As a disclaimer though, I haven’t read the books, twas a curse of being a only/youngest child. Though my friend did tell me the kiss wasn’t in the book, not though it really mattered.
Sorry, I was just being annoying. The movie actually follows the book pretty closely in the sense of many scenes being right out of the book as well as much of the dialog – but it just felt all different. Yes, there is a lot of religious symbolism and meaning, and the directors weren’t shy about leaving much of it in, while blunting or maiming other aspects of it.
And you’re right – it’s really not a chick flick! Just my way of dissing it for not living up to its potential. Not that chick flicks aren’t great movies sometimes. I’m guessing, anyway.
I enjoyed the duality of the Narnian creatures — there were both good and evil creatures united together. Reminds me of the duality of man–and how the natural man is an enemy to God.
At one point, I thought it was rather significant how the heroes were presented with an “easy”, albeit evil way of solving their problems. Just grab the hand of the White Witch, and she would come to redeem them (perhaps without one soul lost?).
I am guessing that this was obvious to all of you as well.
Heh, well I suppose I should have read the book before running of on a tangent though. My own fault if I seem clueless after that comment.
Aric, I did enjoy the white witch scene myself. I loved how it was Edmund who was the one that stepped in and ended that particular moment. He being the one with the most experience with the white witch.hyb
For all of you who have not read Lewis’ chronicles, I highly recommend them! While the movies have been good so far, each written story is an excellent work of literature that is timeless in its portrayal of growth and learning, and is able to express a lot more of the characters’ emotions and thoughts.
(As an aside, there is still much debate as to whether or not he actually wrote the stories as a type of Christian allegory, but, in my opinion, Lewis’ faith was such that everything he did reflected it.)
Incidentally, I thought that the Telmarines were using trebuchets, not catapults.
I’ve heard the movies follow the books very closely, still has me debating whether to start reading the series (I’m afraid it will ruin the movies – films don’t usually stand up to books).
Definitely not a chick flick! My oldest kids loved it, I thought it was good but the first movie had more heartfelt moments (and no, the kissing doesn’t count).
Jeff, I hope you’ll read the book–r rather, I hope you’ll read the entire series of books–if you haven’t already. Lewis has quite a few important things to say about Christ and about human nature, even though he’s couching it all in stories meant to be fun for children.
Yes, read the entire series. Highly recommend them!
i just read the entire Narnia series again and loved them. The Caspian movie doesn’t really follow the book that closely, but i thought this was one of those rare moments when the movie was actually more exciting than the book. Peter’s offensive attack on the castle does not happen in the book but adds an incredibly tragic and desperate element, the white witch does not appear at all in the text, and the super tension between Peter and Caspian is not really in the book at all. Edmund’s character in the movie is so well done that i was kind of disappointed that he wasn’t as hard core in the novel. As i said, it’s rare that a movie works to enhance a novel–though i’m sure many a purist will disagree with me! you should all go read them again and see what i mean!
I thought the movie was alright but couldn’t get over Prince Caspian’s odd accent. I was also disappointed that the tone and theme of the book was somewhat watered down, since it was a book about gospel restoration. Hey, I even have a new book out about it called, “C.S. Lewis: Latter-Day Truths in Narnia” if you want to take a look. It just came out.