**Comparing Narnia and LotR**

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Bethberry

I also wondered why the White Witch had to have hair that ressembled the Rasstafarians' way with coils and curls.

I was reminded more of cybergoth hairstyles; look this up on google and you'll see what I mean.

I've also been wondering if Narnia will catch on as a film 'phenomenon'. It seems to lack what it takes to get the youthful 'fanboy' element into the cinema, mainly it has to be said through the nature of the tale itself; the characters are children, which might not be seen as 'cool', sadly. Even Peter is worlds apart from a contemporary youth. I wonder what there is to identify with for the broader teenage market (not including those on the 'downs who of course have impeccable taste ).

However, it seems that Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire was the number one film in the UK in 2005 (which surprised me, even though I thought it was a great film), thus proving that once a series has caught on then audiences will flock to see the latest installment. If Narnia can catch on in this way then there's hope they will make films through to the end of the series. And I have to add that I've seen a lot of kids looking at Narnia books in the shops over Christmas!

Originally Posted by Bethberry

I also question the concept of putting a medieval world with colourful banners and gorgeous tents and kings and queens and lovely gowns into the context of children's fantasy world, one distanced from the real world they live in. Don't get me wrong--I love the idea of a wardrobe full of adventure--but ultimately the fantasy is diminshed by it being something outside the children's real world, despite the Professor's willingness to listen. It is dressup. This does not happen with Tolkien's fantasy world because of how he has placed it as historically prior to our time.

I do have a slight problem, as an adult, accepting 'transition fantasy' such as this. As a child, I firmly believed that if I sat on the rug for long enough then it would turn into a magic carpet or that the old chair would turn into Blyton's Wishing Chair, but nowadays I know that if I spend any time poking around in the back of old wardrobes all I'm going to find is a load of wonky MDF and some nails that want replacing. I just can't help thinking "did they just imagine it all?", which spoils things. I even have this sense with Harry Potter, that there's something about the Hogwarts Express that's too transitional, which is why I think I've enjoyed the later books with dementors in suburbia and the like much more.

I think that's why Tolkien's world is so satisfying. There is no jumping off point, as it's all there from the first page and there is no need to suspend my rational mind. Likewise Gormenghast.