Chronicles of Narnia

We saw the movie "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" this weekend. I have long been a fan of C.S. Lewis and have read many of his books (although he was a prolific writer, so I still have a few to go!).

The movie was very well done. Not surprising, since Douglas Gresham, Lewis' stepson by his marriage to Joy Davidman, was involved in the film as a producer. It was very true to the book and the graphics were absolutely amazing. (I saw it on the Ultrascreen and kept wanting to reach out to touch Aslan's furry mane!)

It was a good family movie. Young children would enjoy it (I found it less scary than Harry Potter) and there is enough depth to the story to keep adults interested. We went Friday night and the large Ultrascreen theater was packed.

It is fascinating that C.S. Lewis wrote one of the world's most beloved set of children's books, but was a confirmed bachelor until age 59, when he married Joy, a friend who had been recently diagnosed with cancer.

You can see the influences of his life--being wounded in France during WWI, his loss of his mother at an early age, his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien and his Christianity--in the story. The story is a good one on its own merits and even better when you consider some of the truths that Lewis is trying to convey through the story.

I would highly recommend reading the entire set of Chronicles. Another good fiction book is The Screwtape Letters and his science fiction trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength.

But my favorite Lewis book would have to be Mere Christianity.