Movie review - "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe" (2005) ***

Workman-like version of CS Lewis' famous novel which surprisingly has never been given big budget treatment before - in a way, probably just as well, since it allowed computer technology to create some impressive talking animals. It feels like the Harry Potter adaptations: solid rather than inspired, sticking close to the source but lacking the source's magic. Tilda Swinton is good as the witch; the kids playing Peter and Susan are bland pair of potential tween idols, looking as though they stepped off a cover of Girl Zone or some such magazine; the kids playing Edmond and Lucy are a little better - they can at least act - although it must be admitted they at least have characters to play. Liam Neeson is perhaps not totally right as Aslam. Will they make sequels? I'm guessing they will be direct to video ones.