Thoughts.com Blogs - "TCoNarnia: Prince Caspian"--movie review

     Ben Barnes, as Caspian the Tenth, reluctantly leads the cast of the first film into the trials, tribulations and triumph in the sequel, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". Skeptics be gone. This is a much more satisfying film than many lead others on to believe. And that, afterall, is much of the message of the series...belief(or faith). In this second film to the series, faith is even more questionable than in the first, and we are given a bigger glimpse into the transition between child and adulthood. It is rife with creatures and ominous characters as well as a fair share of treachery and(eventually) redemption.

     For those unfamiliar with the series of books by C. S. Lewis(an author like others who weaves religious concepts into his stories), the story takes us back to the magical land one year later in the lives of the four main children(from the days of World War II in the early 1940s) but 1300 years later in Narnia. Man has taken over and wiped the magic from the face of the world(or so they would believe). It is a world of grown-ups who wage wars and take what they want. The old world is all but rubble as the kids discover upon their return. Caspian is the rightful heir to the throne, but the wife of his uncle has just given birth to a son. And, the uncle plans on eliminating his nephew and the old ways forever. So, Caspian must flee the kingdom and--with the help of "Queen" Susan's horn(from the first film), he summons the former kings and queens back to Narnia for help(via a portal which takes them from a London train station to a cave near their former castle). Only Lucy is able to see Aslan, the almighty lion(voiced by Liam Neeson), and her brother Edmund attempts to listen to her despite the other siblings' disbelief(which plays a part in the story/lesson later). Much is found unexpected from both worlds, and it isn't long before the cruel and dominating uncle is on the warpath to secure his reign as king. Wars are waged, and many casualties are strewn across the battlefield(a few more than in the first film). But, in the end, good triumphs(as expected in any fairy tale), and many of those who fought "on the wrong side" seek forgiveness and repent.

     I was initially afraid I had walked into another youthful "Neverending Story" or a Harry Potter film gone horribly wrong with young characters played by swiftly aging British actors. The pretty-faced cast and "school kids at play" scenes in the beginning were a bit stomach-turning. I then started to ponder the dividing line between adult and child viewing(which ironically plays a part in the story as well). I felt like an adult at a kid's birthday party with a silly hat on my head. But, once you get to the tomb built around the stone table(explained in the first film), things start to pick up. And, adults can slowly start breathing again. I was also skeptical from the commercials as they displayed what looked like an exact copy of the previous story but with a few added special effects. I thought I could bypass this one and wait for something better. I'm glad I didn't. [I won't spoil any of the highlights nor the sad dramatic moments.]

     (Despite "word of mouth" from other critics)I think kids would be okay with most of what is shown. There are only a few minor moments that might raise a few eyebrows or make young kids restless(namely the birthing of Miraz' son and the suspenseful scenes when the kids are attempting to take over "his" castle) which I would concern myself with as well. As with many films like this, it is a choice we make as to how much we expose to our kids. Granted, it was quite emaculate(free) of bloodshed. But, "300" flooded the screen with blood so fake and absent from the Spartans' bodies after battle that it looked grotesque and silly at the same time. Innocence aside, "Prince Caspian" keeps our minds on the dangers and lessons to be learned more than how someone was injured or killed. Afterall, death is part of life just as is youth and adulthood. [However, seeing kids handle themselves and weapons so well is a bit hard to believe and maybe a bit disturbing. Anna Popplewell, who plays Susan, is a master archer in the film(rivalling Orlando Bloom's blond elf in "Lord of the Rings") who never seems to run out of arrows even in the most heated of battles(which is a little hard to believe as well). Perhaps that is simply also a difference in perception from child to adulthood.]

     [Skeptical critics also may claim there is no character depth. Granted, there may be some truth to that. But, only because every member of the cast(real or CG) is a piece on a chess board. Each plays a part and has character without requiring too much attachment from the audience. Afterall, the kids are growing up and won't be around in Narnia forever. It is a saga about roles, prophecies and lessons(not characters as much). It is a story about faith and maturity.]

     In the previous film, Edmund(Skandar Keynes) was the focal character in question for betraying his siblings' trust. But, now his older brother Peter(William Moseley) is going through a rough patch of puberty with bouts of temperment, failing faith and "leadership issues". Through the "magic of Disney", everyone comes to their senses and matures nicely by the story's end. As we see by Susan(Popplewell) gradually eases into showing and accepting the affections of boys. [And, I suspect, by the looks of her, she will have a fine future in films to come.] Lucy(Georgie Henley) is the eternal child whose eyes are continually openned to new insights a little at a time(and may never fully grow up). Thus, she is granted the right to return to Narnia once more.

     Other characters to mention should include Caspian's uncle Miraz(Sergio Castellitto), Red Dwarf Trumpkin(Peter Dinklage) and Reepicheep(a daring and almost invincible sword-wielding mouse who rivals Puss from the two most recent Shrek movies) voiced by Eddie Izzard. Miraz is well played as a cunning and sinister nemesis(despite his rare moments of weakness/cowardice). His armor(and that of his troops) is similar to that of Spanish conquistadors(and very cool I might add). Trumpkin is a humbled, though aging and grumpy, dwarf who shows little warmth yet proves himself quite honorable and respectable. Reepicheep(who looks strange with the gold ring holding a red feather to his ear) moves like lightning and topples numerous soldiers with his "toothpick" rapier before being humbled and throws in a few mildly comical flashes of vanity and ego like a true swashbuckler.

     Some would say it's no "Lord of the Rings", but(at appoximately two hours and twenty minutes and rated PG) with a wider array of creatures(I'm game for any film featuring both male and female centaurs and minotaurs as awesome as this series has displayed), I would place "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" rightfully beside the tales of elves and "hobbits" with three stars out of four. [I'm leaning towards three and a half if not for the "pretty boy" faces of Peter and Caspian(simply a minor personal displeasure), the unlimited glamourous(red and gold) arrows for Susan's bow during battle and(perhaps) a bit of chronic disbelief in the "magic" of the film(namely entry into the world and evading arrows so easily and repeatedly).] All minor negatives aside, this was a semi-pleasant surprise and a hearty addition to the series which I enjoyed more than "The Golden Compass" and most of the Harry Potter films. Pay close attention to what characters say and how they speak of faith/belief and the choices they make. If there is an ounce of child left within you as an adult or your children are nearing their teens, do not miss out on this more than satisfactory sequel to "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". [And, since details(like names of characters, species/peoples and places) get a bit lost in the dialogue, it wouldn't hurt to seek out a copy of the book/s as well.]

--brainstormer, free-lance movie critic and participant in the Thoughts.com blogging experience.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia:_Prince_Caspi an