What could be better than being well-educated, but slightly-bored, children jumping into a wardrobe closet and finding a magical land called Narnia where you have cool adventures with your siblings, and become royalty? Well, how about finding yourselves transported, a few years later, poised to return as conquering heroes? Alas, nothing stays the same, either children or their make-believe worlds. Now, it’s several centuries later in Narnia. The natives, the dwarves, centaurs, and Minotaurs, and elves are so dispossessed and dispirited that they are not only in hiding, they are losing their very ability to transcend themselves. Bears that could formerly converse now only growl with animalistic rage. Trees that could formerly come to life now are permanently stilled by a lack of stimulus and imagination. And, worst of all, Aslan, the powerful lion who ruled with strength and wisdom, is nowhere to be found. Many have not even heard of him, much less believe in him. Yes, for those who wish to embrace the Christian symbolism, there is plenty here, and very much intended by the celebrated author, C.S. Lewis. And yet these whimsical stories also stand on their own literary merit. It’s about children finding their identity and adults re-discovering their courage. It’s about believing that change can make a difference and that striving against evil is a battle worth fighting. It’s about accepting those who are different and attempting to reconcile with enemies. It’s about believing that what unites us is more powerful than what divides us. As such, it’s a fairy tale not only for all ages, but for all the ages. Prepare to meet a happy combination of form and substance. RONALD P. SALFEN is pastor of Grace Church, Greenville, Texas.
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In the book Aslan comes into action much sooner than he does in the movie, and while the boys go off to join Caspian the girls remain with Aslan and witness the real wonder and miracle of the book. Aslan roars. And the roar echos across all of Narnia. The trees awaken and dance. The animals and other Old Narnians emerge. The usurping Telemarines grow apprehensive, but what they really fear is their own fears. And, then, the old earth deities themselves arise and respond to Aslan's summons... Bacchus and old Silenus on his donkey. What follows is not a battle, but a romp... a nearly bloodless coup facilitated by verdant vines running rampant over the houses, schools, and towns of the occupiers of the land. Liberation and plenty and healing are offered not just for Old Narnia, but for any Telemarine who will embrace it.
The very tiny bit of this part of this half of the story that the Disney team did put in the movie was so bowdlerized, simply turning the awakened trees and river into additional combatants, that it felt like a profanation of Lewis's tale. In Lewis's story I see a playing out of the groaning and travailing of the creation, subjected to futility, that the Apostle Paul speaks of in Romans. And Lewis then gives a portrayal of the liberation of that subjected creation along with the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. It is a profoundly radical tale, especially when read in the light of contemporary environmental concerns and with a consciousness of creation spirituality.
It leaves me deeply frustrated that many people are going to this movie hoping to experience something with an underlying Christian significance and being robbed of seeing what should be there. There are a few crumbs, but the real feast has been omitted. I feel cheated.