At long last, the beloved series of novels by C.S. Lewis is coming to the big screen, and may I just venture to say - its coming in a big way. Long have both children and adults been swept off into the world of Narnia, and now we all get to see that world. For all those of you who would say, "let a child's immagination run wild when reading the book," or "putting it on screen takes away from the literature." I say to that by all means read the books, in fact I have just begun doing so myself, however, get ready to be swept away because this movie is going to rock.

I've been preparing of late to watch this film by doing several things. As I said, I've begun reading the book, and in fact am almost finished with it (I will be by the time I see the movie). I also watched the 1980's BBC television version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe which is a movie I use to love as a child, and watched as often as I could. I suppose its a pity that I never actually read the books.

Having said that, I'm going to offer up a few comparisons (or perhaps contrasts) between the new movie and the old BBC version. Don't get me wrong, I loved this movie as a kid, but honestly, watching it now - its pretty much laughable. In fact, I laughed really hard while watching it. This in and of itself is a reason why Lewis' work deserves a better film version done. I will give the old movie one plus though - it is highly true to the book, even sticking with much of the same dialogue throughout (this actually could be one of its problems because dialogue in a book and dialogue in a movie are two very different things).

The White Witch managed to freak me out back in the day, and I'm sure her new version will be much the better.
  

Technology today has made a few things possible that in the past - well just weren't. That means that Narnia will actually be alive, and will actually be believable whereas before it wasn't...in fact it almost ruins the book thinking of these animal characters as they were portrayed (however as I said, as a child I didn't notice this).

Take Mr. Beaver for example:
  
Of course I laughed out loud when I saw the old Mr. Beaver, but I laughed harder when I saw actual cartoon animals taking the place of live action characters in the BBC version.
  
And the captain of the guard...well, I'm sorry but the old one looks like zoobliezoo, and the new one...dAANG
  
We of course can't forget Aslan, who has been transformed into a believable lion and not two men in a suit - although I must say the BBC did better than one might expect (and especially comared to the beaver and wolf).
  
A reviewer commented about the movie that Lucy was the heart and soul of this film, and that the looks on her face just make the story happen. I look forward to seeing these, however, I can't help but remember the Lucy of old and the looks she gave.
  
Yes perhaps I have done nothing but ramble here...but what I'm really trying to say is that I'm pumped about this movie and can't wait to see it -> and I hope that all of you go see it as well. *my own personal review is pending for all who are interested*