Battle of the Blockbusters

　　Cinema goers in the UK are licking their lips in anticipation of the films to be released in time for the Christmas holidays. And this year it looks like they will be spoiled for choice as fantasy films continue to dominate the Christmas market.

　　The latest Harry Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has already become the most successful film in UK cinema history, earning over ￡14 million (130 million RMB) in the first three days of its release. Fans of the franchise have been flocking to cinemas all over the country to watch Harry’s progress.

　　But if Harry thinks he’s going to have it all his own way this year, he may be in for a surprise. That’s because a new blockbuster saga is on its way to UK cinema screens.

　　Based on the classic novels of CS Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe poses a threat to the dominance of the Harry Potter films. The film follows the adventures of three children who discover a gateway to the magical world of Narnia. Once they have entered Narnia they become involved in a war between good and evil.

　　The producers of the Narnia films will be hoping to emulate the success of the Lord of the Rings films which topped the Christmas box office between 2001 and 2003. Since the Narnia novels have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide, it seems likely that the films will also be a runaway success.

　　However, there is one other fictional heavyweight who could challenge Harry Potter’s hold over the Christmas audience. King Kong roars his way back onto the silver screen on 14th December. Directed by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson, this film is a big-budget remake of the 1933 classic. The giant ape has been recreated digitally and is more life-like and terrifying than ever.

　　So whether you are a fan of monster monkeys, schoolboy wizards or enchanted worlds, it looks like this Christmas will be a great time for going to the movies.

大片争夺战

　　英国的电影迷们已经迫不及待地期望着观看圣诞档期电影。今年，幻想影片仍将继续占据圣诞档期的电影市场。

　　最新的哈里波特系列――《哈里波特与火焰杯》已经创下了英国电影史上最成功的纪录。仅在影片发布的三天里就创下了一千四百万英镑的票房（约合人民币一亿三千万）。全国的哈里波特迷们都蜂涌到电影院观看这部电影。

　　但是，如果哈里认为他将独霸整个市场，那可就大错特错了。因为，一部火爆大片即将在英国银幕上映。

　　改编自CS Lewis的经典小说《纳尼亚王国历险记》的电影《狮子、女巫、魔衣橱》有可能会撼动哈里波特系列电影的统治地位。电影以三个孩子的历险故事为主线。他们发现了一个通往纳尼亚魔幻世界的通道。当他们进入纳尼亚的时候，发现自己被卷入了一场正邪之间的战争。

　　该片的制片人希望纳尼亚系列电影能创造《指环王》系列电影的辉煌。《指环王》系列电影曾在2001至2003年连续占据圣诞节的票房榜首。纳尼亚系列图书在全球共售出了六千五百万本，因此，该系列电影也极可能会连连走红。

　　除此之外，还有一部科幻巨片会与哈里波特争夺圣诞档期的观众。12月14日，电影《金刚》强势出击。由指环王导演皮特?杰克逊导演的《金刚》是投入巨资对1933年版本的翻拍。新电影中的大猩猩经过数码技术制作，比原来的更加生动可怕。

　　无论你是喜欢怪物大猩猩，还是魔法学校的巫师，或者是一个魔法世界，今年的圣诞节去看电影，将是一个绝好的时机。