because it is better than the alternatives. If that sounds like a backhanded compliment, it is. Of course I know we must support good family entertainment. But I just wish we had more excellent family entertainment to offer.

Here's the comment I left over at Open Book just now, after seeing the film:

I'm glad the film was made. Any film that hints at what is true is welcome by me.

That being said, the movie screamed Evangelical Protestant to me... and Protestant in ways that C.S. Lewis was not Protestant. The soteriology was flawed, the music was miserably "hip" and out of place, and the borrowing from The Passion (we must start the film with a blue filter and clouds, we must have that wailing woman in the soundtrack)... really indicated that people missed what was successful about The Passion.

I have to say that I would have rather seen the story told by pagans than by Evangelical Protestants... not because they aren't good, virtuous, resourceful, talented people, but because they have a poor sense of narrative and a really truncated/dualistic view of grace and transcendence. In many ways, this movie was to The Passion what an Evangelical Free service is to the Mass of the Last Supper.

But now I am splitting hairs. Especially living in Los Angeles, I need to remember that anyone who loves the truth deserves my support.

I'll rant more on my own blog about the movie... but not until opening weekend is over. There was much to enjoy and praise. I just was troubled by how much better it could have been. But until Catholics get their spiritual and artistic act together, we can't expect much more than this.