Impressions: Prepare for the next ‘Narnia’

Deborah Tompkins Johnson/Columnist
Published: May 3, 2008

If you enjoy fantasy, epic movies and action, you'll want to head to a movie theatre May 16 for the opening of "Prince Caspian."

"Prince Caspian," another Disney film, follows "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which was the first in the "Chronicles of Narnia" series to transform its adventure from storybook to big screen. "The Chronicles of Narnia" combines the innocence of youth, adventure and the proverbial fight between good and evil in an enchanting way. There is also a heaping measure of creativity and imagination that can only be found in an epic story of fantasy.

I believe man, woman, boy and girl will find "The Chronicles of Narnia" appealing.

No matter your age, do kindly consider my advice: What I say to you today about the "Prince Caspian" story is the same counsel I gave you about "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in 2005, as well as for all movies made from books—read the book first.

"Prince Caspian" tells us about four young children's return to the fictional kingdom of Narnia. Through the magic and miracles of Narnia the children take on the adult challenge of aiding a prince in battle as he fights for his rightful position as king. We experience with these children the lessons they learn about life and faith.

"Prince Caspian," and in fact the entire “Narnia” series was written by the C. S. Lewis, the late Irish bible scholar and author who published many non-fiction books that Christians and others study to this day. His books include the classic "Mere Christianity," pub-lished from Lewis' British wartime radio talks on Christian and moral issues. Yes, the same Lewis who wrote "The Problem of Pain," a study of hurt and struggles in our lives, wrote the seven books in the "Narnia" series.

So friends, we have read and seen "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." We have or are reading "Prince Caspian" as we await the movie. We expect at least one more movie will follow and possibly others.

At the Disney Web site (Disney.go.com) we find out the next "Narnia" tale coming to the big screen is "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." If you enjoyed "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" at the theater and have a similar response to "Prince Caspian," then maybe creators will produce for film the other books in "Narnia" series. Not as a favor to the late author or to the producers, but as a favor to ourselves. Let's do our part by reading the book and going to see the movie—"Prince Cas-pian."

C. S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" is available at libraries, bookstores and online. You may also want to check these Web sites: CSLewisClassics.com and CSLewisInstitute.org.

Do let me know if you decide to read "Prince Caspian" or any of C. S. Lewis' books from the "Chronicles of Narnia" series.

Let me know, too, what you think of the movie. I for one, certainly plan to be at the movie theatre opening night, May 16.

Deborah Tompkins Johnson's Impressions appear in the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger every first and third Saturday. She can be reached at .