**Comparing Narnia and LotR** - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-08-2005, 02:00 AM

I'm sure many of you have looked forward to seeing the Narnia movie! Since this is a Tolkien-themed forum, discussions here must be Tolkien-related. That means you may compare the stories, worlds, and movies - including the effects that come from the same workshop. However, if you wish to discuss only Narnia, please do so at a forum dedicated to that topic. **This is the official Barrow-Downs Narnia/LotR thread.** Please post here instead of starting new threads. Thank you!

HerenIstarion · 12-08-2005, 05:32 AM

I was completely unaware Narnia was filmed. I'd say I'm mighty curious, but not excited and a bit wary (knowing Lewis' attitude towards filming of literature)

To stand in 'compare with Tolkien' line, I'd say that when LoTR was being filmed, I was mighty curious and aware lo-o-ong way before and excited (despite knowing Tolkien's attitue towards filming of literature)

Since I have just got my new boxed set of Narnia, I'm likely to get back to this topic with more to say later

Tuor of Gondolin · 12-08-2005, 07:25 AM

Who is the director of Narnia and does he have a
background and (somewhat questionable reputation)
like PJ? After all, PJ (generally) positively surprised
me vis-a-vis what I expected considering his
previously somewhat hyper type of films. If Narnia
is successful might this director be a competitor
with PJ for The Hobbit?

Boromir88 · 12-08-2005, 07:31 AM

Tuor, the director is Andrew Adamson, who hasn't had an extensive career in directing, but he did direct both Shrek movies. So, I think Chronicles of Narnia looks promising, as I think the Shrek movies were absolute masterpieces and breakthroughs when it came to computer animations.
If you are interested, you can check out Imbd.com, for information on the director, cast, anything to do with the movie.

I've seen the TV trailers and I will surely watch this movie. I probably won't go to the theaters, I rarely do anymore. They are just getting so darn expensive it's a lot better to wait to it hits the cheap theaters or out to buy.

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-08-2005, 07:36 AM

The first of the Narnia movies is a huge Disney production and is showing as of today. Is this not getting the big hype in your country that it is here? Andrew Adamson, co-director of Shrek and Shrek 2 is the director. Weta Workshops were involved, and much of the filming was done in New Zealand. For more information, please check out NarniaWeb.

I would like to save this thread for discussion by those who have actually seen the movie and can compare their impressions, so please check the internet and your local newspapers for information.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 12-08-2005, 11:22 AM

I am a little leary of Disney's having been involved, and hope that they adopted a 'hands off' approach. (So very glad that didn't try to take up LotR!) Still if the White Witch loosens her grip on the countryside here, it is in my plans to make a trip to the theater.

The trailers have reminded me how many different sorts of creatures they had to come up with for this one! I wonder if they will be able to carry them off as well as LotR was able to. I am guessing that they didn't as much time to develop them.

Firefoot · 12-10-2005, 09:25 PM

I definitely recommend going to see the Narnia movie in theaters. I went to see it today, and I thought it really was fantastic. For those of you who are concerned about Disney involvement, I can't recall any "Disney moments." If I hadn't known Disney was filming it, I wouldn't have been the wiser. The movie was beautifully done.

I'm not going to say whether it was better or worse than LotR - my feeling coming out of the theatre today was definitely comparable to that of when I came out of seeing RotK. Summed up in a word: wow.

I would say that the casting of the Narnia movie was overall better than that of LotR. Just about every single one of the characters I could look at and say "That's Peter" or "That's the White Witch" - as much as I love the LotR movies, I can't say the same thing about Elijah Wood's Frodo or Orlando Bloom's Legolas, for example. The acting was pretty strong all around, I thought (I'm not the greatest judge of acting, though), whereas in LotR I could find definite stronger and weaker performances. The Narnia movie also has a much smaller cast, though, and several of the main characters were animals...

LotR is definitely the more dark in tone between the two (four?) movies, which I suppose is to be expected. While both movies depict a good vs. evil struggle, Narnia isn't quite as dire about it. The danger in LotR feels more... real? evil? Not a better or worse thing, just different. I do think that the humor in the Narnia movie tended to be better done and more fitting in the movie - some of the humor in LotR bordered on too forced or too corny (coughGimlicough).

As for battles. The shivery sort of feeling I got at the charge of the Rohirrim and the charge in the Narnia movie was definitely similar. Again, though, the Narnia battle was more colorful, I suppose. It's not the same sense of smoke, ruin, and war. However, it was still superbly done.

The CG of the Narnia movie was quite good - I'm sure LotR laid the groundwork for much of it. In some ways, I'd imagine it was more complex than LotR's CG (mostly thinking Gollum here) being that they had to blend people and CG for the fauns and the centaurs. Talking animals was one challenge LotR did not have to deal with, but the Narnia movie carried it off excellently. The best way that I can put it is that it worked - and not simply in the "it was adequate" sense.

The biggest difference is probably in my own reaction. Initial reaction is that I like the Narnia movie more than the book, which I last read about a year ago and so am a little fuzzy on the details. I was disappointed by FotR when I first saw it, and while I was completely wowed by the RotK movie, the story had already been complete for me before I saw the movies. For the Narnia story, I enjoyed the books, but the movie brought it to life for me.

arcticstorm · 12-10-2005, 10:22 PM

As I have seen the movie twice now, I can comment on a couple things as compared to LOTR. Since this movie used the same battle simulation program, massive, as LOTR, I can honestly say, that Narnia showed me a better depiction at what it could do what with over 70 some different types of creature fighting in the battle. I believe that LOTR was the pioneer films that paved the way to these films. Both films are incredible in their own rights. I honestly believe that without JAckson's films, these films would have been a lot more difficult, if not impossible, to make, as some of their techonology had not been tried out yet.
Narnia was a lot closer to the book than any film I had yet seen that was based on a book, but with LOTR they had a lot more material to place in three hours than Narnia had to place in their two. However, their were a few creativce liberties taken as with all films. BUt overall they were good films that I believe C S Lewis and all his inkling frieds would have been proud about.

Essex · 12-12-2005, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefoot

As for battles. The shivery sort of feeling I got at the charge of the Rohirrim and the charge in the Narnia movie was definitely similar. Again, though, the Narnia battle was more colorful, I suppose. It's not the same sense of smoke, ruin, and war. However, it was still superbly done

The charge was the best part of the movie for me, and rivalled (not sure if it beat) the Ride of the Rohirrim. The few seconds before the forces clashed - as the music and sound falls down to almost a silence, as the cheetahs slowly overtake their comrades , and then BANG! the foes clash together at high speed - was Magnificent!

plus I also like the fact that the children aged and spent years in Narnia, forgetting about the 'real' world and finally stumbling onto the Lamp Post. and we got a glimsp of the White Stag which was welcoming.

PS if you haven't seen it yet, hang around for a while after the credits start as there's a little bit more to see after a minute or two.............

12-08-2005, 02:00 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Comparing Narnia and LotR I'm sure many of you have looked forward to seeing the Narnia movie! Since this is a Tolkien-themed forum, discussions here must be Tolkien-related. That means you may compare the stories, worlds, and movies - including the effects that come from the same workshop. However, if you wish to discuss only Narnia, please do so at a forum dedicated to that topic. This is the official Barrow-Downs Narnia/LotR thread. Please post here instead of starting new threads. Thank you! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

12-08-2005, 05:32 AM	#2
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	You don't say? Now do they indeed? I was completely unaware Narnia was filmed. I'd say I'm mighty curious, but not excited and a bit wary (knowing Lewis' attitude towards filming of literature) To stand in 'compare with Tolkien' line, I'd say that when LoTR was being filmed, I was mighty curious and aware lo-o-ong way before and excited (despite knowing Tolkien's attitue towards filming of literature) Since I have just got my new boxed set of Narnia, I'm likely to get back to this topic with more to say later __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

12-08-2005, 07:25 AM	#3
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	Who is the director of Narnia and does he have a background and (somewhat questionable reputation) like PJ? After all, PJ (generally) positively surprised me vis-a-vis what I expected considering his previously somewhat hyper type of films. If Narnia is successful might this director be a competitor with PJ for The Hobbit? __________________ Aure Entuluva!

12-08-2005, 07:31 AM	#4
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,519	Tuor, the director is Andrew Adamson, who hasn't had an extensive career in directing, but he did direct both Shrek movies. So, I think Chronicles of Narnia looks promising, as I think the Shrek movies were absolute masterpieces and breakthroughs when it came to computer animations. If you are interested, you can check out Imbd.com, for information on the director, cast, anything to do with the movie. I've seen the TV trailers and I will surely watch this movie. I probably won't go to the theaters, I rarely do anymore. They are just getting so darn expensive it's a lot better to wait to it hits the cheap theaters or out to buy. __________________ Fenris Penguin

12-08-2005, 07:36 AM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	The first of the Narnia movies is a huge Disney production and is showing as of today. Is this not getting the big hype in your country that it is here? Andrew Adamson, co-director of Shrek and Shrek 2 is the director. Weta Workshops were involved, and much of the filming was done in New Zealand. For more information, please check out NarniaWeb. I would like to save this thread for discussion by those who have actually seen the movie and can compare their impressions, so please check the internet and your local newspapers for information. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

12-08-2005, 11:22 AM	#6
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	I am a little leary of Disney's having been involved, and hope that they adopted a 'hands off' approach. (So very glad that didn't try to take up LotR!) Still if the White Witch loosens her grip on the countryside here, it is in my plans to make a trip to the theater. The trailers have reminded me how many different sorts of creatures they had to come up with for this one! I wonder if they will be able to carry them off as well as LotR was able to. I am guessing that they didn't as much time to develop them.

12-10-2005, 09:25 PM	#7
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	x2 I definitely recommend going to see the Narnia movie in theaters. I went to see it today, and I thought it really was fantastic. For those of you who are concerned about Disney involvement, I can't recall any "Disney moments." If I hadn't known Disney was filming it, I wouldn't have been the wiser. The movie was beautifully done. I'm not going to say whether it was better or worse than LotR - my feeling coming out of the theatre today was definitely comparable to that of when I came out of seeing RotK. Summed up in a word: wow. I would say that the casting of the Narnia movie was overall better than that of LotR. Just about every single one of the characters I could look at and say "That's Peter" or "That's the White Witch" - as much as I love the LotR movies, I can't say the same thing about Elijah Wood's Frodo or Orlando Bloom's Legolas, for example. The acting was pretty strong all around, I thought (I'm not the greatest judge of acting, though), whereas in LotR I could find definite stronger and weaker performances. The Narnia movie also has a much smaller cast, though, and several of the main characters were animals... LotR is definitely the more dark in tone between the two (four?) movies, which I suppose is to be expected. While both movies depict a good vs. evil struggle, Narnia isn't quite as dire about it. The danger in LotR feels more... real? evil? Not a better or worse thing, just different. I do think that the humor in the Narnia movie tended to be better done and more fitting in the movie - some of the humor in LotR bordered on too forced or too corny (coughGimlicough). As for battles. The shivery sort of feeling I got at the charge of the Rohirrim and the charge in the Narnia movie was definitely similar. Again, though, the Narnia battle was more colorful, I suppose. It's not the same sense of smoke, ruin, and war. However, it was still superbly done. The CG of the Narnia movie was quite good - I'm sure LotR laid the groundwork for much of it. In some ways, I'd imagine it was more complex than LotR's CG (mostly thinking Gollum here) being that they had to blend people and CG for the fauns and the centaurs. Talking animals was one challenge LotR did not have to deal with, but the Narnia movie carried it off excellently. The best way that I can put it is that it worked - and not simply in the "it was adequate" sense. The biggest difference is probably in my own reaction. Initial reaction is that I like the Narnia movie more than the book, which I last read about a year ago and so am a little fuzzy on the details. I was disappointed by FotR when I first saw it, and while I was completely wowed by the RotK movie, the story had already been complete for me before I saw the movies. For the Narnia story, I enjoyed the books, but the movie brought it to life for me.

12-10-2005, 10:22 PM	#8
arcticstorm Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Johnson Bible College: Knoxville, TN Posts: 464	As I have seen the movie twice now, I can comment on a couple things as compared to LOTR. Since this movie used the same battle simulation program, massive, as LOTR, I can honestly say, that Narnia showed me a better depiction at what it could do what with over 70 some different types of creature fighting in the battle. I believe that LOTR was the pioneer films that paved the way to these films. Both films are incredible in their own rights. I honestly believe that without JAckson's films, these films would have been a lot more difficult, if not impossible, to make, as some of their techonology had not been tried out yet. Narnia was a lot closer to the book than any film I had yet seen that was based on a book, but with LOTR they had a lot more material to place in three hours than Narnia had to place in their two. However, their were a few creativce liberties taken as with all films. BUt overall they were good films that I believe C S Lewis and all his inkling frieds would have been proud about.