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

MPAA Rating: PG

Entertainment: +4

Content: +4

Based on the classic novel by C.S. Lewis, this fantasy adventure tells the amazing story of four children Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley) who are sent to a country home following the World War II bombing of London. The home is owned by the mysterious Professor Kirke (Jim Broadbent), and his housekeeper has little patience for children. As the four siblings play hide-and-seek one rainy day, Lucy hides in a large wardrobe. As she works her way through fur coats, she finds herself in the magical land of Narnia inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, giants and other fascinating creatures. She leads her sister and two brothers to Narnia, where the four are called sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. In this land, it is always winter and never Christmas because it is under the rule of the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Edmund, who is prone to mischief, is tricked by the witch and ends up her prisoner. Two beavers befriend the other three children and tell them that their only hope to save Edmund is the lion Aslan (voice by Liam Neeson), the good King of Narnia. War between good and evil is on the horizon.

This is a delightful movie for children and adults. It is generally true to the writing of C.S. Lewis and, for the Christian, contains obvious gospel elements. When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy step into Narnia, they are told that their arrival is the fulfillment of a prophecy. The youngest daughter, Lucy, is kind and adventurous. Susan is gentle and helpful. The eldest sibling, Peter, is a leader marked with courage. And Edmund is tempted by greed and power, which leads him on a dangerous path. His fate is a wonderful example of the cost of sin. The children discover that there is a price to save Edmund, a price that only one can pay in full. In Aslan, king of Narnia, we see Jesus Christ who sacrifices his life for the life of Edmund. Battle sequences, threats by wolves and other creatures, frightening moments, peril to children, and Aslans atoning sacrifice may be too intense for young children. Still, Preview strongly recommends The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for family viewing and discussion afterwards.

Preview Reviewer: Henry J. Rogers
Distributor: Walt Disney and Walden Media

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: None

Obscene Language: None

Profanity: None

Violence: Many times mild (much hand-to-hand fighting and swashbuckling that is not graphic or bloody, witch turns characters into stone, woman drives knife toward lion and stabbing is implied); moderate (flying griffins drop boulders onto army of creatures below, nonbloody battle scenes between forces of good and evil, some wounds shown but with little blood, creatures gnawing on each other, World War II bombing of London)

Sex: None

Nudity: None

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None

Drugs: Few times mild (a character briefly smokes a pipe)

Other: Christian viewers will see symbolism in: the law demands penalty of blood, the lion king breathes on the dead to bring them to life, the lion says it is finished before he prepares for death, humans called sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, fulfillment of a prophecy regarding the return of a king; a popular quote from the book Is he [Aslan] safe? No, hes not safe. But hes good is not included in the film word for word; the quote Hes not a tame lion But hes good is included; a discussion about logical reasoning between the professor and the children hints at C.S. Lewis writing about lord, liar, lunatic; many valuable themes and lessons for children on forgiveness, honesty, loyalty, responsibility

Running Time: 136 minutes
Intended Audience: Children and Adults

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