Narnia

Yes, I know, I'm supposed to be doing the Star Wars films, but I watch movies other than Star Wars, so consider this a break from the Star Wars Blogging Series.

Based on the novels written by C. S. Lewis, this movie was almost a guaranteed hit. Millions around the globe have enjoyed his most famous works, the Chronicles of Narnia. This movie was created to depict the events of the most famous novel in the seven 'Chronicles' -- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Four children, Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy live in Great Britain during a war (WW1? WW2? I'm not sure which) and when conditions get extremely dangerous, their mother sends them away to live in the country in a mansion with a professor, who is a friend of the family. The mansion, naturally, is huge, so there's plenty of places for the children to explore.

One day, while playing an intense game of hide-and-seek, the youngest, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe and decides to hide in it. While in the wardrobe, she turns around, and suddenly, she finds herself in a wintery forest. She meets a faun named Mr. Tumnus and finds out that this land, called 'Narnia', is a very dangerous place for humans. The White Witch, the self-acclaimed queen of Narnia, hates humans because a prophecy was made long ago about four humans ending her reign as queen and returning the land to the way it was before.

Naturally, when Lucy goes back, her brothers and sister do not believe her. Edmund, in particular, makes fun of her and makes her suffer to no forseeable end. But, one night, while Peter and Susan are sleeping, Edmund sees Lucy leave her room and he decides to follow her. Of course, she goes into the wardrobe and when Edmund sees Narnia for himself, he is shocked that his sister was actually right. Trouble comes when the White Witch comes riding along in her sleigh and happens upon the poor, frozen, pajama-clad Edmund. She convinces him to bring his siblings back to Narnia, secretly planning to kill all four of them.

Eventually, after Lucy and Edmund have gone back to the mansion, the four children find themselves in need of a place to hide from the professor's housekeeper. They decide on the wardrobe. Once they all see that Lucy is not crazy, they go to see her friend, Mr. Tumnus. They find his place ransacked. The White Witch had discovered that Mr. Tumnus had not turned Lucy in and therefore, Mr. Tumnus had to pay the price.

The four children find themselves on a wild adventure and soon discover that THEY are the ones that need to break Narina free from the clutches of the Witch. They meet Aslan the Lion, who trains them to fight and lead, and who also teaches them the utmost meaning of sacrifice. This story teaches many powerful lessons, and it will have you floored.

I really enjoyed this movie. Since I've read the books, it was interesting to see what they added and took away from the original story. The acting was mediocre, but it wasn't appallingly awful. The special effects and scenery were ASTOUNDING. It was a well thought out and well made film. I mean, it was created by the director of the Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson...it's gotta be good!

Four and a half stars. SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN, FOLKS! It's well worth it.

Star Wars Episode Two -- Attack of the Clones

Years have passed...Anakin has advanced greatly in his training, Amidala is no longer queen, but has agreed to be a senator for Naboo. A new Supreme Chancellor has been appointed in the Republic named Palpatine. The galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Naboo is free from the cruel oppression of the Trade Federation, but a new threat is posed: someone is trying to kill Senator Amidala. Anakin and Obi-Wan have been assigned to protect her. Since Anakin and Amidala haven't seen each other in nearly ten years, their reuinion was a little more than awkward. But, they overcome it, and it is decided that Anakin will stay with Amidala on Naboo while Obi-Wan searches the galaxy for answers on who is trying to kill the senator.

Obi-Wan's finding eventually lead him to Kamino, a watery planet where a giant clone army is being created for the Republic to use. He is then lead to the lair of a dark lord of the Sith, where the entire plot is unfolded.

While Obi-Wan is on his little adventures, Anakin is back on Naboo in the Lake Country with Amidala, and day by day, little by little, he realizes that he is indeed falling in love with Padme. She returns his feelings, but to be bound to another is forbidden in the Jedi Order, so they have a bit of an issue. When Obi-Wan sends for help, Anakin goes to help him (with Padme, obviously...) and they end up getting into a bit of trouble. The Jedi come to rescue Obi-Wan and Anakin and Padme with the huge clone army, which is finally ready for their use.

Pretty good film, I suppose. The storyline was pretty good, and I give mad props to George Lucas for his creativity and imagination. I will never figure out how he comes up with some of the creatures in these movies. Once again the special effects for outrank those of the original trilogy, but the acting stunk just like Episode One. Hayden Christianson is an awful actor, but he's a DEFINITE piece of eye candy. :)

Three and a half stars.

Star Wars Episode One -- The Phantom Menace

I gotta say... if I had seen this one first out of all the Star Wars films, I don't think I would have bothered to see the other five.

The story starts out like every other Star Wars film -- in space. Two Jedi(Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn) are on a spaceship going to the Trade Federation Headquarters orbiting the planet of Naboo. The Trade Federation is a small political party who have set up a blockade around Naboo, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the system. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are going to negotiate with the TF and try to get them to move elsewhere.

Of course, it backfires and the two Jedi are forced to sneak onto one of the many ships that the Federation has sent to the planet. All of the ships contain hundreds of thousands of battle droids, which means that the Federation has decided to invade Naboo and take it by force. The two Jedi must save the beautiful queen Amidala and get her to Corescaunt, the capital planet of the galaxy.

The finally get to Amidala after running into a Gungan named Jar-Jar who was almost beaten into a giant puddle of goo by the invasion army. They take a minor detour through the planet's core using a vehicle given to them by the Gungans and save Amidala. On their way to Corescaunt, their engines fail and they have to get repairs on Tatooine. While on Tatooine, Qui-Gon finds a boy -- a boy who is a slave. There is something special about this boy (Anakin), and Qui-Gon is convinced that he is the one that was promised to bring balance to the Force in a prophesy made long ago. They free Anakin and go to Corescaunt.

Once there, they discover a dark and sinister plot that has been concocted by the Sith (a group of people who follow the Dark Side of the Force). The Jedi vow to stop them and end up battling a Sith Lord named Darth Maul by the end. It is decided that Anakin will study to become a Jedi under Obi-Wan, who is granted the rank of Jedi Master and placed on the Jedi Council of Corescaunt. Meanwhile, Anakin and Amidala (known to Anakin as 'Padme') strike up a friendship, which could turn into something more...except it's forbidden by the Jedi Council for a Jedi to be bound to someone romantically. Will they go against the strict rules of the Order of the Jedi? Only time will tell...

The acting was so bad it's indescribable. I liked Obi-Wan's character, but everything else was awful. Anakin was a whiny, stupid little boy and whenever he came on the screen I just wanted to put him in a timeout. Qui-Gon was OK, I guess, but I expected more from him, seeing as how he was played by Liam Neeson.

I don't know...it was OK. I mean, the Boonta Eve Podrace and the lightsaber duel were wicked awesome. The special effects were done perfectly, which was a refreshing change fom episodes 4-6, which were made in the 70s. I also liked the music a LOT. John Williams is a GENIUS composer and his adding to the film made it come alive (it also kept me from throwing my Dr Pepper at the screen...)

Despite all the bad acting, I love these movies. I'm the definition of Star Wars nerd.

Three and a half stars.