Disney
As The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Book III in The Chronicles of Narnia, gets filmed Down Under, I decided to catch up with the first book in the series at a family movie night alongside my kids. Yes, we’re late to Disney and Walden’s Narnia party, but the impact was just as strong. Here are some of the important things I learned that night:
1. Fantasy movies based on books can succeed without all-powerful white-bearded master wizards or pandering to kids. (See: Narnia & Snicket vs. LOTR & Potter)
2. Tilda Swinton: Best live-action evil witch ever!
3. Some little kids can actually act brilliantly. (See: Georgie Henley as Naria’s Lucy Pevensie. Don’t see: Jake Lloyd as Star War’s Anakin Skywalker.)
4. Fantasy movies for kids are well-complemented by popcorn, Tings, ice water and Mallomars.
5. Biten-into Mallomars that have fallen on a rug for any period of time should not be eaten. Unbitten-into ones that fall are fine.
6. The movie’s oft-discussed Christian themes are apparently much less obvious to reform Jews. Even when Father Christmas arrived, I was like, “Who’s that guy and why do they all recognize him? Did I sleep through a part?”
7. One theme I did pick up on, but no one talks about: Noses! Mr. Tumnus recognized Edmund as Lucy’s brother by his proboscis. Mr. Beaver’s first words: “I ain't going to smell it if that's what you want.” And rearrange the letters in Aslan: Nasal!
8. Always pass on offers of free Turkish delights, no matter what the context.
9. Bare-chested adult fauns bonding with eight-year-old girls: still pretty creepy.
10. There’s always deeper magic.
