The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

*warning - contains spoilers*

Finally got to watch the movie. Been waiting for it to come out. I re-read the books earlier in the year in anticipation. And waited with baited breath during the scenes near my favourite bits. But alas....

But first, let me say what I liked about it. Weta has once again done a fantastic job with creating the various costumes and creatures. Aslan looked so realistic and resplendent. The other mystical creatures look wonderful and the beavers... dare I say - look really cute!! Tilda Swinton did a fabulous job as the white witch. She was cool and aloof, yet falsely charming - and basically like what I expected the witch to be like from the book. Also, the turkish delight did look sooooooo delicious. Soft and so inviting! No wonder Edmund fell for it and got sucked in by her charm and promises! I probably would have too! The battle scene was great. Somewhat reminiscent of LOTR but, I guess that couldn't be helped. In the book, I knew they were outnumbered and have to fall back, but the movie depicted it much better than what I had in my mind. Mr and Mrs Beaver and Mr Tumnus were played very well as the likable Narnias that the children first meet. They were strange (as a faun and talking beavers would be to us!) yet warm and friendly and somehow, one wouldn't feel scared meeting them.

Two of my favourite were not depicted in the movie. One kinda was slapped on at the end, but I didn't think it worked as well at the end. The first bit was the part with the children in the Beavers' home and they were talking about Aslan. This was the first time they had heard about Aslan so were curious about who this Aslan is. From the book, you get the sense of growing curousity and this tingle down their spine (the good kind) everytime they heard the name 'Aslan'. Upon hearing that he is a lion, Lucy asks "Is he safe?" to which Beaver replies "Safe? Of course not! But he is good". What a description! What will it be like to meet a lion that is not safe but good, and the anticipation to meet this Aslan of which the Beavers talk about with such hope and eagerness eventhough they have never seen him? Do I speak of Jesus with such hope and eagerness, that it sends a tingle down the spine (the good kind) of those who are hearing about him?

Second bit, was where Lucy was giving Edmund her magic cordial and was waiting for it to take effect. Meanwhile, Aslan was reminding her that they were others that were injured as well. But Lucy somewhat dismisses his remark and wanted to wait to her her brother recover before tending to others. And Aslan says "Must more die for Edmund's sake?". That line always never fails to scare me. Why? Aslan has previous given his life for Edmund's sake. He was humiliated and then killed. But because the Deep Magic also says that if an innocent person dies on behalf of a traitor, then "death itself will be reversed". To me, the line is not spoken out of anger or impatience, but a gentle reminder (to me) that we can get so caught up in our own little world, that we forget the urgency that is out there. It speaks to the 'me first' attitude - others can wait until I have done what I need to do first. But, following Jesus is not always about the 'me first'. Loving myself is important, but I cannot put that above loving others, especially if I am merely fulfilling a selfish want.

Though I was deeply disappointed (but not entirely surprised) that these two scenes were not in the movie, I got another insight from the movie. Just before the great battle, Peter was in front of the army together with the Centaur. They see the enemy come over the rise and approach them in their vast numbers. Peter is somewhat afraid. The army waits for his orders, and I cannot help but think, I would be scared too if I were them. Its a bit silly to go into battle when you know you have less numbers than the enemy and were not actually sure you would come out of it alive. Just before the command to fight, he lifts his sword and shouts "For Narnia! For Aslan!". His army responds in kind. But as they shout that, there is a sense of hope that surges through them. Eventhough they know that Aslan is dead. They were willing to die for him. This Aslan, whom they have heard of and only seen and met briefly, who is now (to their knowledge) dead. No doubt they were also fighting for their country, but would I have fought for Aslan? How much will I 'fight' for Jesus? Would I have the same determination (and loyalty) as Peter had eventhough he knew Aslan was dead?

In the meantime, I hope to faithfully follow, the One whom I have discovered is not 'safe' but definitely good.

It'll be a Beautiful Day!!

St Paddy's Day
17 March 2006
Its going to be a blast

and I'll be there!!