Narnia (It's a long title, jeez) [Archive] - City of Heroes Forums

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Meltman

12-11-2005, 03:16 AM

Saw the movie today. Not bad. I liked it.

Tarkenchi

12-11-2005, 03:20 AM

Cool... TLTWTW is a good book, i've read the whole series, how far did they go into the religious aspect? that was the most touchy part of the whole series and I hope they didn't screw it up.

Meltman

12-11-2005, 03:23 AM

It was subtle, but there.

ThunderMace

12-11-2005, 05:07 AM

Just got back from it. I was really dissapointed with the movie because I loved the books as a child. To busy, bad acting, and those kids are kind of homely too.

Heather

12-11-2005, 05:12 AM

Thier English... what did you expect?

*hides*

Gold Rush

12-11-2005, 08:02 AM

Never read the books, saw the BBC series, but forgot most of it. Probably will buy the series since it is on DVD now.

As far as subtle religious views, the news media and the religious right are HYPING the HECK outta that aspect. Personally, this is a bit of a turn off for me. If they wouldn't hype this as the new religious turning experience for all children, I wouldn't have a problem. I'll probably watch it, but like most movies nowaday, seems I wait for the DVD release or rentals nowadays.

================================================== ====

Gold Rush

Gogo-chan

12-11-2005, 02:15 PM

I loved the books (still do) and LOVED the movie. So nyah. Also Peter was teh hawt. And the White Witch friggin' owned.

Meltman

12-11-2005, 04:31 PM

See? Told you it was good.

Tsarmina

12-11-2005, 04:32 PM

I saw it yesterday and I liked it. Out of the 4 of us that went, only one didn't really care for it. Oh, and I've not read the book....yet.

Kinetix

12-11-2005, 07:57 PM

I read the first and second book a while back. Liked the movie a lot. Hated the white witch with a passion, what a bitch.

Valcarde

12-11-2005, 07:58 PM

You should read the books, most certainly.

I have yet to see the movie, probably will not be able to for some time :(

WingedAvenger

12-12-2005, 04:42 AM

The movie was really great, although it does smack of "LotR for kids", a bit.

Loved the child actors. Loved Tilda Swinton as the White Witch. Loved the big battle scene (although the griffon rock drop looked embarassingly ineffective).

Didn't care for Liam Neeson's voice as Aslan, he just didn't sound right for some reason. Also disliked the scene with Santa Claus. I know this is in the book, but considering this is supposed to be a unique fantasy world, he just seems really out of place.

Despite these reservations, I still give it thumbs up.

8 Ball

12-12-2005, 06:24 AM

Wifey is a huge fan of the books so we'll be going to see it tomorrow...personally I'm kind of "meh" about the whole thing.

Poison

12-12-2005, 06:41 AM

We saw it and hadn't read the books, really liked it. It's one of those rare children movies that you can show your kids without worrying. A great fairy tale and I'd put it up there with the Neverending Story or the Princess Bride movies (as in, what movies would I watch with my 6 year old). No pseudo-coolness, no stupid jokes, just emotions and magic.

I admit, I only heard about the religious aspect of the story after seeing it and though I did think there was something in there, it didn't strike me as obvious. No idea how bad it is in the books.

Malibu Sally

12-12-2005, 07:13 AM

I admit, I only heard about the religious aspect of the story after seeing it and though I did think there was something in there, it didn't strike me as obvious. No idea how bad it is in the books.
It's not readily apparent in the books if aren't really looking for it. C.S. Lewis was not blatant about using a Christ theme.

Tarkenchi

12-12-2005, 07:34 AM

It's not readily apparent in the books if aren't really looking for it. C.S. Lewis was not blatant about using a Christ theme.
Except for the part about aslan dying on a rock nailed for the childrens sins and then coming back to save them, thats the only part of the book that erked me.

Bari Jon

12-12-2005, 07:51 AM

Yes Tark, but it's a pagan altar with a talking animal tied down to it... I think it's hilarious that the Christian right is praising this movie and tries to crucify Harry Potter... don't worry about some supposed Christ reference, it may exist but who the heck cares? As a friend said to me after watching the movie... you don't see Harry Potter eating the face off of the villain, like Aslan does with the Witch... let alone Christ doing the same thing! :D

The movie was awesome, it stayed pretty true to the book, and the actors fit in with what I remember imagining when I read the books as a kid. They did a great job with this movie.

Lawmaker

12-12-2005, 08:17 AM

Probably the most blatant "Christ image" I've seen in recent history is the 3rd Matrix movie... I think that's got a lot more blatant "Christ-like" theme than Narnia. :)

Malibu Sally

12-12-2005, 08:23 AM

I think it's hilarious that the Christian right is praising this movie and tries to crucify Harry Potter... don't worry about some supposed Christ reference, it may exist but who the heck cares? As a friend said to me after watching the movie... you don't see Harry Potter eating the face off of the villain, like Aslan does with the Witch... let alone Christ doing the same thing! :D

Oh Lewis took some heat when he wrote the book for using fantasy creatures and all. He was soundly criticized for minimizing the spiritual themes he used.

/edit: drat. Cannot find the link with that tidbit of bio.

coldcut

12-12-2005, 09:09 AM

Yeah, the Chick tracts in particular used to link him to witchcraft until somebody clued Chick in.

Dr Jack Wolfe

12-12-2005, 04:15 PM

C.S. Lewis was well known for his religious views and writings, and he did use Christian imagery in the Narnia books, but even he would say he did not write a religious book that time.

Druid

12-12-2005, 05:13 PM

Truth be told I don't think the books got terribly obvious with the Christ theme until the very last one. He basically flat out says that I'm the son of God in that one and leads the kids to heaven. (After they all die in a terrible Train crash =P )

Akamaz

12-12-2005, 05:17 PM

wasn't it the screwtape letters that got him nailed by chick?

bpphantom

12-12-2005, 05:29 PM

I'm curious if they'll go back and do the first book or if they'll actually do any more in the series at all.

Druid

12-12-2005, 06:08 PM

I somehow can't see them doing much more in the series. Although I really enjoyed some of the other stories. Like The Voyage of the Dawntreader and The Silver Chair.

But the public in general doesn't seem to know much past the second book.

Graphite

12-12-2005, 09:07 PM

Read the first 3 books as a kid.
Was really looking for to this.
Saw it on Friday.
Awsome, Awsome.
Nice adaptaion and awsome CGI.
I was concerned about a CGI Aslan, but he came out beutifully.
Really felt like a character with emotions.
Overall, every thing was well done.
Enjoyed the final battle and seeing all the mythical monsters.

Alas, I couldn't help watching the movie with a religous prespective.
Never gave it much thought as a kid and didn't hear about it till later.
Now I was almost analizing every scene for symbolism.
This unfortunately took away some of the fun of the movie.
I tend not to mention the Christan aspects until after people seen the movie.
Still, they are fairly blatent and this is also a well done Christian Alegory.

Masked Revenger

12-13-2005, 02:37 PM

http://www.shortpacked.com/comics/20051212sticks.png

Chris

AfterglowNoMore

12-13-2005, 02:44 PM

Heh, I was just about to post that MR.

skyhawke

12-13-2005, 02:47 PM

People read too much into things. Watch the movie and enjoy it at face value. Reading too much into it will only spoil it for you. Remember when we were kids? Did we look for symbolism? Nope, we just enjoyed the movie. That's the frame of mind I carry into the theater everytime. I go to be entertained, I can get symbolism and arguments over what's right and what's wrong on the news.

I personally really enjoyed the movie and it was a very well done adaption of the book. My kids and I had a great time at the movie...which is what it's all about IMHO.

Masked Revenger

12-13-2005, 03:22 PM

Heh, I was just about to post that MR.

I was actually going to post it yesterday, but then work got busy... it's just too perfect to not post in this thread. :)

I personally don't remember any Christian symbology when reading the books as a kid. I just remember enjoying them as much as I did the Hobbit.

However, I just checked out TLTW&TW from the library and am re-reading it. So far, I see a TON of pagen symbology, which works because it's a fairy tale.

Chris

Graphite

12-14-2005, 12:54 AM

inkblaster

12-26-2005, 12:19 AM

Hmm, you all aren't the only ones to see it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=zLElfJ9YCh0

PawnOfFate

12-26-2005, 12:22 AM

As most of you know, im the most vehement anti-religious bastard on the face of the planet....

But I liked this movie for what it was, a great fantasy movie based upon a great fantasy novel.

Screw the religious overtones, who can deny that Lucy was adorable?

Yin

12-26-2005, 12:37 AM

Loved it.

The only Christian thing I caught was when they nailed Aslan to the tablet thing. Other then that, nothing religious is strongly suggested or thrown in your face, which is good because it brings in all kinds of people; however, I do find some comments here a little ridiculous. Not all Christians think Harry Potter is the devil. In fact, I'm upset with Christians (I'm one) for carrying on the way they do sometimes. So hypocritical. I find nothing wrong with Harry Potter, and I found nothing wrong with Narnia. Those who found something wrong with Harry Potter (z0mg witchkraft!) are those zealot Christian types. I swear. They have no business carrying on the way they do most of the time. :D

And I agree with Fate. Lucy was my favorite. Absolutely adorable, especially at the end when she had her hair curled. I thought the children did an excellent job portraying the characters. Now I'm interested in getting one of the books. The White Witch was awesome, but was a bitch, and I was completely taken away by the CG done with Asylan. Did you see that mane?! It looked so real.

And for those wondering if there will be a sequel, they are going to do Prince Caspian next, and the article can be found here (http://www.cinematical.com/2005/10/31/rumblings-of-prince-caspian).
I remember reading another article stating that they are doing the books in the order they were released (as in published). There was one before Narnia that explains some things about Narnia. That and the director wanted to do Caspian due to the fact all four children are in that book, and he wanted them too age a little, but not so much (like the Harry Potter kids - they're old as heck). I can't wait.

Astro_Creep

12-26-2005, 12:50 AM

I definatly liked the movie. It wasn't as good as LoTR (Which is of course going to be the stepping stone for movies in this genre) but I'd watch it again.

The only thing I really didn't like was the actor that played peter, he just made me irrationaly angry.

Druid

12-26-2005, 01:41 AM

Loved it.

The only Christian thing I caught was when they nailed Aslan to the tablet thing.

What about them calling the humans "Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve"? That came out far quicker then anything else for me. =P How about Peter being the eldest, and the one to hold closest counsel with Aslan "Jesus" and being the one to lead the people.

Edmund was a repentant sinner, some might call him Judas, but he's probably much more representitive of Mary Magdalene. (sp?)

There are more, but I don't feel like going into it. I catch these things because I have a weird memory for them.

On the other side of things. *Spoilers for the few that haven't caught the flick*

Did anyone else find Peter's military leadership to be a touch lacking? I'm not sure I would have put my faith in a boy that wants to not only split his army in the face of a far larger force, but also charge out to them on an open field. Not only on the open field, but too far for his archers to be of any assistance. The centaur should have counseled him a tad more, and put blind faith aside for Aslan. =P

Yin

12-26-2005, 01:49 AM

Hrm. So there were more. I wasn't really paying attention to Christian detail. I was more caught up in the story, but I did catch Sons of Adam/Daughters of Eve right away. That was the first Christian-related thing I picked up on. But like I said, I treated it as a regular movie instead of a "message to Christians." I want to see it again. I'll catch it when it gets to the dollar theaters. :D

Druid

12-26-2005, 01:52 AM

Yea, it was a good movie. Seen it twice, once with friends, once with the family. Thing about me and movies is, no matter how much I like it, I still have to make fun of it. It's just what I do, so between my dad and myself, it was a fun car ride home today. :chuckle:

Edmund was quite the brat, just wanted to smack him. *smack* Ask me for a Turkish delight one more time! ASK ME! I dare you! I double dog dare you Mutha F***a!

Yin

12-26-2005, 02:03 AM

What the hell was that thing? Jell-O with powdered sugar?

Druid

12-26-2005, 02:04 AM

Turkish delights are a kind of fruit jell covered in powdered sugar. I can't think of a good comparison. Think of a really umm nnon-processed fruit chew, covered in powdered sugar.

Astro_Creep

12-26-2005, 02:18 AM

I remember when I was a youngin in school, after we read the lion, etc, etc. the english teacher brought in some turkish delight for us to have.

Their must have been some magical coke or something in edmonds 'cause that stuff is not very good.

the_starcrosser

12-26-2005, 02:37 AM

Yyyyeah, in the book, basically anything the Witch gave him was highly addicting. Coulda been chewing on rocks, and going back for more.
;3 I won't go into the symbolism; there's a lot more in the book than they highlighted in the movie, but i think the movie had the right balance to please people.
Lucy was great, Susan was... Susan. Peter annoyed me, and i wanted to smack Edmund (but that's to be expected). However, the older Edmund...... :naughty: <3

>_> The only thing i would have changed was Professor Diggory Kirk himself. He could have been more mysterious-and-wise-yet-lighthearted instead of more like..... the old guy in the Series of Unfortunate Events movie, whoever that is. 0_o

Bari Jon

12-26-2005, 04:14 PM

Yin

12-26-2005, 06:42 PM

Aslan got tied down to the stone table, right? I don't remember seeing any nails?

Right! I meant tied down. :P

And that is funny that a church would bring busloads of children to a movie that's practically the same as Harry Potter. It was just a lot more brighter and colorful then Harry Potter, which always takes place in dungy, murky, night-time favored scenes. The only day scenes I remember is when they play Quidditch. Heh.

Meltman

12-27-2005, 12:51 PM

I think the Protestants just have something against fake Latin.

Graphite

12-29-2005, 04:34 AM

I thought it was funny when I went to the theater and there were 3 busloads of kids being taken to the movie by "Far-right christians for Christ". I know I did not see any church groups taking hundreds (no exageration the place was packed!) of brainwashed little boys and girls to go see Harry Potter... so anyway, that's why I made the comments I did earlier. Um, another thing... Aslan got tied down to the stone table, right? I don't remember seeing any nails?

Actually, you can blame Disney Marketing for that one. They were very quietly publishing this movie to the Christian right as the next Passion or something. Looks like it must have worked. Really the symbolism doesn't bang you over the head, which is kinda the point. Some of it too is from reading to deep into the story.

So for the basic list...
Aslan = Jesus
Witch is Devil, or maybe antiChrist
Edmond is Repented Soul
Aslan dies for Edmonds Sins.
The Stone Tablet breaks
He is Risen and the Gate of Hell are thrown open.
The Dead (petrified beasts) come back to Life
The day of judgment and final battle occurs.

Really, its a nice mix of the Resurrection and Judement day. From what I've heard, the Beavers have been used many times in sermons about the whole waiting for Jesus through the long winter thing. How Edmond becomes a traitor really could be made into a big deal too. A friend of mind is still trying to figure out if there's some signifcants of them falling out of the wardrobe, ie falling out of the Kingdom of Heaven. About Aslan being tied down, really I don't remember the original but it doesn't matter seeing his long walk, suffering and being killed by a spear are all present.

Read between the lines as much as you like. The important thing is you don't have to since its such a good fantasy story. What I particluarly like about this is that its both, yet suttle. Not all stories about God have to be about Hell, Crusifictions, or Damnation.

Now if you want to get into some real fun, we should start talking about Constantine.
:lol:

The Widowed

12-29-2005, 08:54 AM

Now if you want to get into some real fun, we should start talking about Constantine.
:lol:
Cool! Okay. :)

*starts munching on popcorn*

Let's see...Gabriel is an angel, and that really weird guy who drips black stuff is Lucifer, and Constantine is...oh! He's supposed to be like a savior who sacrifices himself for the welfare of mankind. Ooh! Constantine is Neo, and the demons are the Machines, and the voodoo doctor is like Morpheus, and the evil Antichrist baby who's supposed to be born and damn the world is either Agent Smith or the Libertarian Party!

*snarks*

How did I do? :D

Graphite

12-30-2005, 04:25 AM

Oie.... All i ment is that film is oozing with Christian Mythology.
Bad Widowed Bad! Though your theory is intriguing....

govtmorgue

12-30-2005, 10:27 AM

I watched the movie and have read all 7 books, and I really thought they did a good job. The religious ascpect is there, but if you just ignore it and watch the movie on a mainly surface layer, it ends up being pretty darned good. I think they picked the perfect chick to play the white witch, and truthfully speaking, the actors were better than I had thought they would be....and I finally learned that a Turkish Delight ISN'T a canned meat like I had thought for 15 years lol.

Masked Revenger

12-30-2005, 03:03 PM

MikeKAY

12-30-2005, 03:31 PM

You know, I think that if you didn't know there was Christian symbology in the movie, you would never see it.

It's not like the sacrafice/resurection never happens in other fantasy books. It's practically a staple. Gandalf, anyone?

Chris

Not that it really matters but there WAS Christian undertones in Tolkien's work. Just much, much more subtle.