It sounds like your problem is with the book - not the movie. The movie very closely follows the book. Your main problems with the movie had to do with the story, characters, etc.
For me, someone who has read the stories, over and over, since I was a child, this first movie was tremendous and I am looking forward to "Prince Caspian" which I have heard is the next to come out. In this one the characters do come out and yes these are portrayed as ordinary children (which I believe C.S. Lewis intended).
Edmund, who is quite self-centered and selfish does find himself seduced by evil (the White Witch) and is the "traitor" for which Aslan dies in his place. Edmund learns from his experience as does a very naughty boy to come in "Price Caspian".
Another thing to know is that this is not the first attempt at making a Narnia Series. The BBC has it, and I can tell you that IMHO this is far superior. This movie moves dynamically in comparison to those done before.
Also remember that this is more British based and more intellectual. It is sweeping the old continent as we speak and taking it by a storm. Like the Harry Potter books, the stories are somewhat convoluted and you have to see them sometimes, once or twice to get the full impact.
Thus I rate LLW in the class of movies I want to see over and over again and possibly own on DVD.
Last thought: When we were sitting waiting to see Pride and Prejudice 2005, there was a narnia poster over our heads. Every child passing looked at the poster. Some said they couldn't wait to see it, others would just say awesome and some parents had to explain to there very little ones why they couldn't go (though they wanted to) because they weren't ready yet. I did not see a child who was not interested in seeing LLW and I'm looking forward to hearing comments by children about this movie.
Any One?
Right. Because Chronicles Of Narnia is actually the 2nd book in the series. Anyone who starts reading the entire series of books from book number two will have problems following the story, or understanding the characters.