How can I begin to describe this movie? Entering the wardrobe into Narnia was more than a film; it was an unforgettable experience.

As I’d mentioned earlier, we were concerned about it being too scary for our 5- and 7-year-olds to see. So we almost didn’t bring them. But at the last minute, we decided we could take them out of the theater if it got too frightening. On the way in, we crossed paths with a family we know who’d taken their children. “They’ll LOVE it,” the mom told me. “Oh, it was the most wonderful movie. They’ll be FINE.”

We had to wait in line once we were inside with our tickets. “The last show was sold out, so we’re still cleaning the room,” the ticket man told us. “It’s been packed all weekend.”

I don’t want to tell you too much because I don’t want to spoil it for you who haven’t seen it yet. It was breathtaking, awe-inspiring…majestic! If you haven’t been, you’ve GOT to see it. The film brought the book to life for me. All the pictures I had in my mind from reading the book were truly enhanced by the spectacular photography — it was filmed in the beauty of New Zealand.

I loved the professor — it was almost like C.S. Lewis was smiling at us, welcoming us to the world he’d created. And the timing for making this film is perfect — the digital animation is so amazing, there’s not a thing silly about the talking animals — they’re so real. And Aslan — “he’s not a tame lion” — you’ve got to hear him roar.

When Lucy first enters the wardrobe into Narnia, I love the icy-blue lighting, the soft snowflakes she sees in her white, unspoiled adventure. Her encounter with shy Mr. Tumnus is adorable. OK…I don’t want to spoil it. But it was all the more fantastic for me since I’d read these books as a child, and now I understand the Christian symbolism. Lewis created a magical world for me so I could better understand the depth of my sin and what Christ did for me.

The battle scenes — and the evil, disgusting creatures that accompany the White Witch — remind me how every day we war against evil — every single one of us. And to remain on the offensive, the only possible chance we have for victory is by carrying the sword of truth, God’s Word. This is demonstrated throughout the film with Peter’s sword.

After it was over, our whole theater burst into applause. I remembered Mike Parker said not to miss the credits — so we stayed for the last scene with Lucy and the professor. Don’t miss this! Everyone just stopped walking and stared at the screen again.

The best part about the film is that it creates a hunger for more, and I won’t be surprised at all if boxed sets of The Chronicles of Narnia are the number-one selling item this Christmas. Everyone’s going to be reading these books…and waiting impatiently for the next movie to come out!

And truly — this is only the beginning.

Here’s something fun for you — if you’ve read the book or seen the movie. Which Narnia character are you? Carol pointed me to this Narnia quiz. (I’m Peter Pevensie!)

There are tons of articles online, but here’s a good one from WORLD Magazine’s 12/10 cover story: The Chronicles of Making Narnia.

For those of you who saw it, write me and tell me what you enjoyed most about it. I can’t wait to hear from you!