The Railway Children (2000)

Title: The Railway Children

Year: 2000

Production Company: PBS Masterpiece Theatre

Summary: Based on E. Nesbit's classic children's book. After their father is mysteriously called away, three children have to move from their lovely house in London to a cottage in the country with their mother and "play at being poor for a bit." While adapting to their new home, they happen upon a railroad station and make many new friends.

Main Characters:
~ Roberta
~ Phyllis
~ Peter

Review:
Characters: Each sibling was so different. You have Roberta (or more fondly known as "Bobby") who was attempting to be more mature and responsible for her wild younger sister and brother, while Phyllis (a.k.a. "Phil") was a little more concerned in looking out for her own welfare. The youngest, Peter, felt it his duty to act as the man of the house because Father was away and watch out for his sisters and mother. We love every bit of this film, from Phil's funny complaints to Peter's "manly actions" to help his family. Mr. Perks was favorite character as well as Jim, "the boy in the red jersey," and even the cantankerous station master!

Plot: It all flowed along very well. One scene near the very end of the movie is a favorite among all of us (especially our father). But we won't tell you about it! You must go see for yourself!

Music: Very good! Some parts of the score reminded us of a train speeding down the rails. Ironic, no? ;)

Scenery: The English countryside? Who could not but love it? The rolling green hills, the whimsical train station, and the beautiful country cottage- everything was perfect!

Advisory: None

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Pictures from the movie:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Year: 2005

Production Company: Disney and Walden Media

Summary: World War II brings air raids to England, so the Pevensie children must journey to the safety of the countryside at an old professor's mansion. While playing a game of hide-and-seek, the youngest Pevensie, Lucy, stumbles upon a magical wardrobe in a spare room and sets foot into a land called Narnia.

Main Characters:  
~ The Pevensie Siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy
~ Aslan
~ Jadis, the White Witch
~ Mr. Tumnus
~ Mr. and Mrs. Beaver

Review:  
Characters: We wholeheartedly approved of all the actors they cast for the Pevensie children, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were perfect for the part of a humorous couple, and the wonderful graphics they used for Aslan were breathtaking! Definitely a win!

Plot: We were a bit disappointed when first viewing the movie as it didn't follow the book's plot line closely, but then again it was pretty good considering all the things they did remember to include from the book. So, who are we to complain?

Music: It was a wonderful music score (check out Jessa's Corner for some of the songs from the film)! Our favorites were "Into the Wardrobe" and "Father Christmas." However, we did not like the last song, "Can't Take It In", as it did not fit into the fantasy/adventure theme of the movie. Epic fail!

Scenery: We thoroughly enjoyed the rich, lush scenery, from the impressive vastness of the battlefield to the intricacy of the Beavers' dam on the river. The vibrant colors for Aslan's camp were perfect in contrasting the foreboding grayness of the White Witch's castle.

Advisory: There are a few scenes when the White Witch violently turns humans and animals into stone with her wand. The battle scene doesn't ever show any actual blood, but you can see Narnians being killed. Don't worry, it's not graphic. The most famous scene from the book was included in the movie when *SPOILER ALERT* the White Witch kills Aslan on the Stone Table. Not the best scene for younger kids to watch. *END SPOILER ALERT*

Rating: 5 Stars

Pictures from the movie:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Year: 2010

Production Company: Walden Media and 20th Century Fox

Summary: Lucy and Edmund, with their horrible cousin, Eustace, journey back to Narnia to assist King Caspian on the quest of finding the seven missing lords that Lord Miraz banished during his reign as king.

Main Characters:
~ Edmund and Lucy Pevensie
~ Eustance Clarence Scrubb
~ King Caspian
~ Reepicheep

Review:
Characters: Eustace. Was. The. Best. Seriously, we really enjoyed his character immensely and thought they did an excellent job on his casting! Lucy was beautiful as always, but we were a little disappointed in Edmund's character change.

Plot: We were overall impressed on how they were able to incorporate a lot of plot sequences of the book into the film, but we were a little disappointed on how much they left out as well. The pattern of events differed, but were very good nonetheless. The whole "dark island theme" was a little strange and at the same time intriguing.

Music: Not nearly as good as the previous two films, but still had some memorable songs (The Duel, in particular).

Scenery:  Beautiful! The ocean, each island - so many different land elements and culture in the same movie!

Advisory: Several fighting sequences, but no blood is shown. Throughout the film, a "green mist" is shown weaving in and out every time a person is tempted, and at the end of the film there is a battle involving a giant sea serpent.

Rating: 4 Stars

Pictures from the movie:

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Year: 2008

Production Company: Disney and Walden Media

Summary: 1 year later for the four Pevensies, 1,300 years for Narnia. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are called back to Narnia to help Prince Caspian overthrow the Telmarines who invaded and established their kingdom there years before.

Main Characters:
~ Prince Caspian
~ The Pevensies: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy
~ Aslan
~ Lord Miraz
~ General Glozelle
~ Lord Sopespian
~ Trumpkin
~ Reepicheep
~ Trufflehunter the Badger
~  Nikabrik

Review:
Characters: We were a little disappointed by Prince Caspian's character as in the book C. S. Lewis portrayed him as a bit younger, not nearly THAT old as he is in the film. And we didn't care for how he lacked humility, a worthy character trait he possessed in the book. A bit of humbleness might add to his stature. But overall, we will forgive him as he did make a pretty good Caspian. :)
Lord Miraz was exactly as we pictured him the book, evil and without any mercy. Of course, the Pevensies were perfect, but we might add that we were saddened by Peter's character change that was mostly arrogance and pride. It wasn't like him to be so...conceited.

Plot: Excellent! Some parts were different from the book, but we really enjoyed them! SPOILER ALERT!The story of redemption rather than condemnation of General Glozelle was certainly unexpected and yet, surprisingly satisfying.END SPOILER ALERT! We also enjoyed how this plot line was more complex and dialogue more complicated. Our big dislike was the relationship portrayed between Susan and Caspian. Not completely necessary and definitely not true to the book.

Music: Beautiful as always! There were a few songs that had a more dark tone to them, but overall still very pleasant (see Jessa's Corner for some of the songs). However, one song we didn't care for that didn't fit the theme of the film was, "The Call." It just didn't seem to justify the end of the movie. 

Scenery: Definitely on a way larger scale than the first film, LWW, and it possessed a more menacing tone. But still the vastness of it was pretty impressive!

Advisory: There is a child birth scene at the very beginning, several fighting sequences throughout the movie, and one scene where SPOILER ALERT!a Hag and Werewolf are attempting to do magic to bring the White Witch back but both are killed because of their wickedness.END SPOILER ALERT! Also, there is a pretty intense dual and a huge battle near the end of the film.

Rating: 5 stars

Pictures from the movie: