The much anticipated fantasy adventure by C.S. Lewis (the first of a series of seven chronicles) is undertaken by Shrek director Adam Adamson.  NARNIA begins grandly enough, true to the origins of the times of the World War II, when children are separated from their parents and sent elsewhere to be taken care of.  The four young adventurers find themselves in the country home of an old professor (Jim Broadbent) and stumble into a wardrobe that transports them to the land of Narnia where the icy queen (Tilda Swinton) rules.

Apart from the wardrobe, sets and special effects, NARNIA is a lackluster affair.  For one, Adamson does not bother with explanations for anything.  Why the children are left behind; who the old professor is; what is the secret of the wardrobe; why the queen is evil; why Christmas is missing etc. are never touched upon.  The film moves at a snail’s pace for its 140 minutes entirety.  If that is not enough, the audience is taunted with scenes of slow motion and the children tracking slowly along the snow paths.  The climatic fight between the queen and Peter is more of a slow dance than an exciting duel.  The camera ponders on the faces on the young stars as if cuteness is not bland enough.  The film plays like an unimaginative pondering TV movie.

Even the last two words of the professor at the end of the film can be guessed by any three-year old who has never been to the movies.  What has Disney done to this beloved C.S. Lewis tale?  C.S. Lewis fans deserve a film better than this.