The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Review

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"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" reviews

Movie

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-07-03 22:04:32

Rating

3.5/5

Provider

CinemaSource

Review

A triumphant return trip to Narnia that for pure imagination and spectacle ought to have your heart racing even more the second time around. It's a visually stunning film, perfect summer entertainment for any age, young or old.

Story

After making three quarters of a billion dollars the first time around, it was inevitable more editions of C.S. Lewis' seven book Narnia series would find their way to the screen. So here is Prince Caspian, which jumps ahead 1300 years ( in Narnian time) to reveal a very different world than the one portrayed in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. As the press notes correctly say, "The lion hasn't been heard from for 1,000 years, The white witch is dead and the wardrobe is gone." Now--as the kings and queens of Narnia (aka the Pevensies) are transported to the land from a World War II England train station--they discover the magical land just isn't what it used to be. It has been taken over by an evil and aggressive band of humans called the Telmarines, led by the unforgiving Lord Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). All the talking animals and mythical creatures are now just wallpaper. Just a year (in human time) after their first trip, the four Pevensie siblings find themselves summoned back to help the dashing heir to the Narnian throne, Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), defeat his uncle. With the assistance of a few characters like the dwarf Trumkin (Peter Dinklage) and Black Dwarf Nikabrik (Warwick Davis)--plus the swashbuckling chatterbox talking mouse Reepicheep (voiced by Eddie Izzard)--they set about bringing Narnia back to all its former glory.

Acting

Returning just a bit older and wiser, the four young actors who play the Pevensie brothers and sisters are in fine form with each getting a chance to display their own quirky talents. Georgie Henley returns as Lucy, the only one able to channel the legendary lion Aslan, and Anna Popplewell is back as the proper older sister, Susan. As for the boys William Moseley is on board again as Peter, who summons up the courage to lead the fight against the Telmarines, while Skandar Keynes' Edmund--despite his betrayal in the first film--finds enough backbone this time to redeem himself. The new human characters are led by British stage actor Ben Barnes, who is commanding as Caspian, the man who would be King but must stave off Spanish film star Sergio Castellitto's vicious Lord Miraz. The wonderful Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) is an amusing Trumkin, while Eddie Izzard offers the perfect voice for Reepicheep. And even though it appeared we wouldn't be hearing from them again, Tilda Swinton's presumed dead White Witch and Liam Neeson's eloquent voicing of the Lion, Aslan, make cameo appearances as well. The large supporting cast is too numerous to name everyone, but a special shout-out is also in order for Willow's Warwick Davis as Nikabrik.

Direction

Shrek director Andrew Adamson proved in the first Chronicles of Narnia--with all its minotaurs, centaurs and other assortment of creatures--that an animation background comes in handy. With Prince Caspian, he confirms that promise, displaying nifty live-action skills, particularly in the battle scenes. The full force of his abilities are put to test in the ultimate confrontation with the Telmarines and what he gets on screen can be favorably compared to something straight out of Braveheart. The stakes in the story this time have been ramped up and so has the fighting. It's probably safe to say that after 140 minutes of this stuff you will come out with serious battle fatigue, but it's all thrilling to watch with some breathtaking special effects that, for lack of a better description, are awesome. With all the hardware, effects and CGI on view it would be easy for the characters to get lost in the mix, but Adamson clearly knows where the heart of his story lies. If this sequel proves anything, it's that the magic, fun, unforgettable people and creatures are the reasons we will keep coming back to Narnia.

Bottom Line

Hollywood.com rated this film 3 1/2 stars.

Movie

The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-06-20 16:40:25

Provider

Review

The Pevensie children return one year on for their second adventure to face loads of new and even more dangerous challenges than before.

In London during WWII the children are making their way down to the tube. As it races by it gets faster and faster and we are quickly cast back to Narnia mere minutes after the titles. But it is 1300 years on and a very different Narnia, one ruled by the iron fist of the Telmarines. One of them, Prince Caspian (played by the dashing Ben Barnes) has summoned the young Kings and Queens back after escaping death at the hand of the Telmarines leader, the evil Lord Miraz. And he has discovered the mythical creatures of old Narnia still exist, hiding in the forest. So this disparate band of talking animals, dwarves and mystical creatures are brought together for a fight to free the land of Miraz and his hordes. To do so they face the greatest perils and battle to solve the clues to find the best way to defeat him and return magic and glory to the land. But will Aslan, missing for 1000 years, return to help?

The new Narnia defeats any criticism of the first. The acting is top drawer by the four children and quality support comes from Peter Dinklage, that natural born hero that is Barnes plus the voice of Eddie Izzard; making this an absolute winner. Right from the off the action and effects transport you right inside this fantasy world, as you ride along on a super plot (from the obviously classic source material) packed with clever twists and a nonstop roller coaster ride of emotions.

It's surprisingly brutal in some of it's fight and battle scenes and could possibly bring about a few nightmares for the youngest of the audience, provided they last the course of it's nigh on two and a half hours. There's little likelihood they won't though when there's no opportunity to lose interest as it's director, Andrew Anderson, keeps the pacing and picture totally on target and engaging throughout.

This mystical tale is a brilliant setup for another installment and bound to have you leaving the cinema salivating for more. As well as a broad grin at having enjoyed what's got to be the movie highlight of the year so far.