As we all know, Disney bailed out on the Narnia series since late 2008. .......due to, Prince Caspian under-performing, between two other heavy hitting giants, Iron Man and Indiana Jones in May of 2008. So the idiots decided to bail on the third installment. So, the series was left hanging, until 20th Century Fox, picked it up early 2009 and decided to film it. So to my surprise, the movie itself, was action packed, and there were an extremely amount of slow parts throughout this film. Though I did notice some changes, from the book......a few elements of CS Lewis' Silver Chair were added to make this movie a little more enticing, since the book is generally quite a bit slower. Now, in this movie, we only see 3 familiar human faces in Lucy and Edmund Pevensie and now, King Caspian (played by Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, and Ben Barnes respectively). Caspian has dropped the accent, since producers figures, CS Lewis was British, why not retain the actor's own accent instead of trying to sound too Ibero/Italian sounding.
Accompanying the Pevensie's, is their cousin Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter), who is a naggy, spoiled and stuck up a-hole as there ever was one. Not as bad as cousin Dudley Dursley, from the Harry Potter series, but just almost at that level. But as the movie progresses, Eustace becomes more likable, as his character will return, should the "Silver Chair" be filmed. But basically, this movie is like Pirates of the Caribbean, on the high seas and in search of 7 mystical swords to defeat the evil green fog that threatens people. This movie has some excellent adventures and terrifying villains. Aslan has a brief appearance toward the middle and near the end of the movie. His role has been cut short, but still powerful as ever. There are in this case, heavier Christian undertones such as the finding of the 7 swords, as in the 7 keys in biblical terms to defeat the fog, or in this case, a symbolic Satan, because the fog is used to lure and entice people to their doom by trying to corrupt them with false dreams and hopes. And a quick spoiler here: Aslan does mention to Lucy, that he's known on Earth, but as a different name. Hmmm, I wonder who that can be???
Despite the undertones, it's still an enjoyable film, for the religious and non religious alike. High seas, action, adventure, and excitement..........you can't go wrong here. It is an enjoyable film, and 20th Century, despite the lack of promotion in huge conventions, like the San Diego Comic Con, they were smart enough to place the trailers, not only on the internet, but huge promotional poster and stand ups in movie theaters, and holding off till about a month before the release for TV commercials, since the budget wasn't as huge for this one as the last two. Despite the smaller budget, the FX, were as wonderful, if not, better than the previous editions, making you think. WETA who? There was particularly, more done on the vivid colors of the effects.
There is, in this, a little foreshadowing and a little spoiler that I will say. The foreshadowing...........when the crew, consisting of Caspian, Reepicheep, Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace finally reach Aslan's country, in the foreground, separated by a large Tsunami looking wave that is being held back, is the land where no one returns....like Narnia's version of heaven, as it is explained by Aslan when he appears. That's the land that Lucy, Edmund, and Peter will end up after The Last Battle when they're killed in a train accident, nothing more is said of Susan. After hearing about what Aslan has to say-and here's the sad spoiler-Reepicheep, requests to go to the Aslan's island, because Reep, has had all the adventure he could handle, and that his tale has ended. Aslan allows the little guy to enter, never to be seen again. Technically, he's dies voluntarily.
In all, I give this movie a 9, since it superceeded any of my expectations that I had for this movie. I was hoping that it would reach at least, Prince Caspian's level, but, it over passed it. It was a wonderfully made movie, and hopefully successful enough that more can be made. Because, by the time A boy and His Horse and The Last Battle are made, they actors will be at the appropriate ages if following the books by their release dates.
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