Monday, June 18, 2007 - Narnia Video: A study

*cough, cough* Yes, ahem, just ignore the date of my last post. Please do...


So I saw found this video on YouTube. I love it, it's great. Clips from the 2005 movie, to some music from Lord of the Rings. Ah, bliss. But seriously, I was analyzing it while listening to it on earphones (stereo earphones, which you might want to do as well, in order to get the full effect of the music) and I just had to write down my thoughts, and I figured I may as well share them. So if you want to watch it, click here, and my standing recommendation for YouTube videos is to not read the comments, as you never know what someone might have posted.

Now. I would like to note that the music is, in fact, on edge most of the time, but I tried to look past that to more subtle moods within the music, and coming to my own conclusions.

We begin with a sort of general introduction to the music, and a general introduction to Narnia. Then Peter's part begins.

The music of Peter's part begins very uncertainly, full of questions and feeling very much on edge. the uncertainty grows, and somehow gradually subsides into something that sounds more like determination. This is not the Peter I know, from either movie or book, but considering that in the movie Peter was uncertain most of the time, it isn't a bad representation.

With Susan the music becomes louder...obnoxious, perhaps? It changes slightly towards the end, but not enough. Book fans, don't say anything to spoil it for people who might want to read the book.

With Edmund, the music remains loud, then changes to a hateful, repetitive version of the tune, full of hate for others, a hate so deep that others cannot help but look at him in sorrow and pity - but then you suddenly realize at the end that the sorrow has become his own.

Lucy's begins with quietness, a respite. But the rest of it is as on edge as the rest of the music of the video. The only way I can explain this is that she is full of the feelings of others, and those others aren't always as innocent as herself.

Now we come to Aslan. (hooray!) I think this is the best-fitting music of all the characters in this video. Aslan's music begins quiet also, but you can hear grace and strength and looming power underneath the overtone, just like you can see, can practically feel with your eyes the grace and strength in the muscles of a big cat. Then it changes to show his wisdom and gravity, with the power under all, then changes again for his sorrow - sorrow for Edmund, for one thing, but broader than that somehow, like his sorrow for the burdens of all mortals. (What a run-on sentence that was.) Then a strain of outside sadness, sadness of the Pevensies (especially Lucy) as He dies.

Then we come to the White Witch. This is the second-best-fitting music, in my opinion. It is loud to signify that she is so unacceptably evil that the world itself, if it is good, must reject and attempt to destroy her. It has a second or two of lovely sinister music. Perfect. Then there are clips of the world rejecting her - the battle, and properly suspenseful musical moments. Then during the charge, in about the same place as it happened in the original movie, and with similar effect: the breath before the plunge.

Now we get into a lot of clips, out of order, from all over the movie, and since it took me this long to explain just six sections of the video, I had better not comment on the whole thing, but I may call your attention to some points.

Such as: A clip of the three children entering Aslan's Camp. In the movie and movie soundtrack, a respite - here a slight respite as well.

A few clips of the time with Father Christmas. A slightly less menacing tone here, almost triumphant and uplifting if you listen closely. (More clipsare used a few seconds later when the music has changed back to its usual on-edge-ness, but that doesn't work well at all, though I commend the video as a whole).

During a climactic moment in the music, there is a montage of screencaps of the characters, which I like a lot. I like how it dramatically portrays one aspect of each character's personality. Aslan, serene yet shrewd. The White Witch, enjoying causing pain. Peter, the very young-looking king, training for battle. Susan - well, I don't care for that picture too much: not a screencap. Edmund, looking typical of him early on in the story. And Lucy. I love that picture, because you can see her excitement, her curiosity, her hope, all in one. And it signifies her love for Narnia. Tumnus, looking sinister as he plays a lullaby on his pipe. Professor Kirke, looking serious.

A clip of Peter reaching up to grab his sword to keep from falling off the ice. I just love that clip and the way it comes out so dramatically in the video.

During another musical climax: Lucy, Susan and Edmund looking lost and alone. Then some random clips of Narnians and happier times. Then wolves, a prebattle clips and - YES! - Edmund breaking the Witch's wand! Then Peter and the Witch fighting, the cavalry arriving and then, Peter hugging his recently healed brother, and a family moment.

Then the music continues rising - the Stone Table, broken. Aslan, rising with the dawn, and the joy of Susan and Lucy.

Then silence. Again, congruent to the movie, because we have a quietness while Aslan says, "It is finished." Then continuing quietness, for no musical emphasis is needed for the joy of the coronation - a nice cut from Susan's coronation to Peter's, the angle being almost the same and their crowns the same color, it flows almost seamlessly.

And we have a clip of the Kings and Queens as adults. Then a roar from Aslan. 'Nuff said.

Well. I've never done that before, but it was fun. Anyone have any thoughts? If you do, please comment. I, however must be running along as it is far past my bedtime, and I'm behind on my sleep as it is.


Oh, and I meant to post on my birthday with something like this:
Happy birthday to me. Sixteen years on this earth, and all things considered, life is pretty good. Thank you, Lord.

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