The Pensieve

Rating: *** (of 5)
Genre: Fantasy, adventure

Heard in the store…

ah sor: auntie ah, you have nanee-ah?
shop auntie: na—- what?
ah sor: there the nanee-ah lor, the 哪里啊… 有那些孩子的。。。 我的孩子说好看。。。
shop missy: oh, narnia huh…

***

Due to the constant warnings about the poor acting, spastic talking beavers, I decided to wait till the DVD was out in stores instead of spending a fortune in the cinemas…

Perhaps because of the low expectations, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by this blockbuster. I hope it signifies the start of a successful train of sequels.

Ok, the acting wasn’t oscar-award quality, but it’s not bad… and I felt that Georgie Henley did a marvellous job portraying the awe and childlike wonder she felt when she walked into the cupboard and found winter. It made me want to experience such a thing too. Such child-like amazement, such innocence, so unspoiled by all that cynical distrust in the real world…

On second thoughts, look at all that sclera! haha like thyrotoxicocic. heh.

The story centres around four siblings - 2 brothers and 2 sisters who enter the magical world of Narnia via their eccentric uncle’s wardrobe. There, they are revered as future kings and queens of Narnia, as according to a prophecy, they would combine powers with Aslan (the lion) and free the land of Narnia from the tyrannical and cruel White Witch.

Incidentally, this White Witch had a pretty nice get-up… :)

Jadis, White Witch of Narnia

She (Tilda Swinton) reminded me of CATE BLANCHETT in LOTR, where she became this horrifying elf queen when exposed to the ring.

With regards to the story…

Somehow, I dunno why, I kept feeling that it reminded me of the story in the bible. Perhaps it was the constant reference to Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve? Anyway, the theme of treason and treachery amongst siblings was also highlighted. In the story, Edmund betrayed his siblings to the White Witch in return for favours… Later on, there was also a scene, where Aslan (the Lion), Jesus-like, sort of bore the sins of man (Edmund) when he offered to be the sacrifice in place of Edmund… and Aslan was killed by the witch. But, the next day morning, he was resurrected. So remniscent of the bible, no? Pardon me if it’s not, I was never religious and what little I’ve learnt at Sunday school was over 15 years ago.

There is a strong emphasis on good and bad in this film. It made it a bit artificial. There’s just good and bad, there’s no grey in between… which is unnatural in our real world. Narnia is like a mini-child version of LOTR. Similar theme of good triumphing over evil, but being more simplified in terms of subplots and subtleties…

The squabbling beaver couple was a good idea for comic relief, and thank goodness, they weren’t as moronic as some of my friends put it. I thought certain parts were actually quite endearing. haha…

Finally, I’ve got to commend on whoever it was created Aslan… he is SOOOOO majestic! Beats all the lions I’ve seen in real life, or in other cartoons like Madagascar, or Lion King…

Aslan - rightful ruler of Narnia