My favorite of the three Narnias (so far), this Christian parable
wears its faith on its armlet and tells its tale winningly enough to
charm even non- or semi-believers. There is craftsmanship here and a
literate tone that might come off as old-fashioned, but which feels
comfortable in the way of a children's classic. And although the
theology ultimately kicks the story past kid stuff, there are talking
animals and flying dragons and sword fights as well! High marks to
those animals' voices: a deft Simon Pegg as the rat and a morally
immaculate Liam Neeson as Aslan, the Christly lion. Aslan's
appearances, as in the previous movies, are too brief, but that's the
point (they could have called the movie Hebrews 11:1). Skandar Keynes
and Georgie Henley have matured remarkably, and although I'm certain
Judi Dench is not a 17-year-old boy, you could swear she has morphed
into newcomer Will Poulter, quite good as the whiny cousin-turned-
hero. — Jeff Schultz