Narnia

I saw the movie opening night (last week).  I'd give it 3.5 out of 4 stars. 

It is an old style Disney movie so it is safe and fun for kids.  It is not as intense as LOTR.  The movie cuts away from battle scenes - not too graphic. 

It is true to the books but not as detailed (obviously can't be done in a 2 hr movie).

I love C.S. Lewis and the movie serves his work well.

I have a ten year old (with Down Syndrome).  He functions at about 2 1/2.  He loved it.   It is Disney.  4 yr olds will be fine.  No nightmares!

Couple talking animals too......

God bless you!

Before we met, both my wife and I were opposed to having a television.

We try to keep screen based images away from the kids for as long as possible, at least keep a steady diet away from them.

The four year old is just starting to watch DVDs, but if we want to watch a broadcast we go to someone else's house.

It was funny when the cable guy came to install the hi-speed internet. It was cheaper to buy a package with tv and internet than the internet alone.

So he installed it an said, "Uh, where's your television".
My wife: "We don't have one."
Him: "Uh, but you ordered cable, right?"
My wife: "Yes sir, we sure did."
Him: "Uh, OKaaay..."

I alwas wanted to hear the dinner converstion he may have had that night as he talked about his day.

I'm reading The Magician's Nephew to Nola right now. Much fun.

Haven't seen the movie yet though...I think it's a bit much for her right now, at 5. 

I wrote up "kid contracts" this summer.  My kids had limited media time (TV, Computer, Video Games).  This forced them to read books, play outside, ride their bikes, etc.  I worked great this summer.  Plan to repeat next summer!

They had to do chores to earn their media time.

Daremo brings up a good point...

I guess is one was really sensitive, the death of the lion might be too much. 

My nine-year-olds profess it was lame, but I think they're just too cool to admit they enjoyed it. I really didn't find it that "intense" or innapropriate for anyone over 4. Battle scenes, death of Aslan,  nothing overtly gory.

I read the book in advance of the movie, and it is pretty close to true. As a matter of fact, i felt the movie added to the detail and the imagery.  

I saw it with my kids (14 and 16) and they professed that they liked it more than Harry Potter.  My kids are serious Harry Potter fans - so that says something.  I LOVED it.  It was very true to the book (although less detail) - I and my daughter both cried when Aslan was killed.  Just a totally awesome movie.

However.  If your kids aren't used to some level of reality the show might be a little much.  While there is no graphic gore - there is a battle scene where people are getting killed.  And, the witch does go around freezing people like she does in the book.

We liked it.  We went with a family with their kids from ages 5 to 13. The two younger ones at 1 and 3 stayed home.  They did change it up to be a bit PC, though.

for example:

Father Christmas to Lucy:  "But battles are ugly when women fight."

in the movie, they took out the "women" part.

We're gonna see it again tomorrow.   I bought the whole series on softcover at WalFart for 9.97US