The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Directed by Andrew Adamson
Customer Reviews
Just okay, mostly disappointing
In the very slim chance that Disney reads these reviews, I'd like to pile on to other criticisms in the hope that the Dawn Treader doesn't make the same mistakes. As a huge C.S. Lewis and Narnia fan, I was so disappointed in Caspian. Same reasons as many other reviewers: too many unnecessary liberties taken; little dialogue, so very little way to connect with and enjoy the characters; too grim; etc. At the end of the movie, I felt like I didn't get to spend any time with the characters b/c most of the movie was some sort of battle.
Sure, there were a few good things. Reepicheep was great; so was the DLF. The scenery and landscapes were beautiful. Some of the battles (or parts of battles) were enjoyable and had a sense of honor and bravery. But that's about it. Caspian was okay, a little boring. The posturing between Peter and Caspian was silly, as was the flicker of romance between Caspian and Susan. Not enough of Aslan. Not enough of Lucy. No lessons. Nothing anywhere near the charm of Mr. Tumnus.
You know how at the end of some movies (good ones) you have that feeling like you want more of a good thing? You wish the movie would go on and on? (That's why I ripped through all the Narnia books in the first place.) Well, after watching Caspian, I had a feeling of wanting more of what I knew existed in the book but didn't come through in the movie...it was a yearning for what could have been instead of what was delivered. It was a huge disappointment and a real shame. And I truly hope the Dawn Treader can deliver what the first movie did, and what the books all do....a real connection to the characters and a reason to start thinking about what it means to believe in something and to stand up for your beliefs. I don't think that notion is incompatible with making a block-buster of a movie.
First off, I'll comment on the spread of the reviews. The higher star rating, the more votes, which means more like it than dislike it. On the other hand, the dispersement of votes shows that it was not an overwhelming fan favorite. I suggest for that reason that you do not take this review by itself in deciding whether to purchase this.
Let me give the basics. It is based on the second of C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. It has been over 20 years since I read this one, but from my memory this movie was not as faithful to the original as the first of the series was. A lot of those changes were effective for a movie. However, I think there was a little more romance than in the book, and more dealing with vengeance.
There were two great lessons in the book. One of them, dealing with Reepicheep (who stole the show, even though he's just a . . . sorry, my thought was not very original), was intact (after you see the movie or read the book, you'll notice the irony of the word "intact"). The other was juggled in the plot and lost the strength it had in the book.
The special effects were great. My favorite was the shot of an arrow speeding through the air that looked like the arrow was standing still with the background moving.
Can you take your kids with you to this movie? Sure, but I think they would have enjoyed "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" better.