Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Movie Review: Prince Caspian

 
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
 
 [The wonderful cast, *smiles*]
 
My Review (5 stars):
 
     The Pevensie children are a little older... some waiting anxiously to go back to Narnia; others, not so much. And in Narnia, it’s been hundreds of years since the Pevensies left, a new young man is introduced. Among the cruel Telmarines, a prince has been learning of the legendary Narnians from his old tutor.
 
     The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is actually the third book (not counting the prequel) in the Chronicles of Narnia series; but it’s the second Narnia movie, unless they decide to make The Horse and His Boy for this movie series someday.
 
     I know a lot of people say that Prince Caspian (2008) is way different than the book, and they didn't like it. But I rather loved it. But of course, I actually watched the Narnia movies before ever reading the books. Yeah, crazy, right? But I just wasn't in a circle that loved the Chronicles of Narnia books I guess. Anyway, I've read them now and really enjoyed them, but the movies came first for me, and so I love them! :)
 
     My few complaints would be these. One, Peter has gotten rather prideful and cranky, which yes, doesn't happen in the books I believe. It's kind of frustrating that they just had to make a conflict between him and Prince Caspian. They're both strong, courageous men—why do they have to compete? However, Peter's attitude did tie in with the whole scenario of him doubting Aslan in this movie, and it really made the ending parts all the more meaningful.
     Complaint number two, the romance between Prince Caspian and Susan. Okay, that definitely didn't happen in the books. Why would it? All these obvious staring moments, some flirtatious teasing, and a bittersweet kiss... all add up to? Nothing really. A relationship just can't work between the Narnian prince and normal-world-bound Susan. And furthermore, Prince Caspian marries Liliandil, the star. So why put in this ultimately-adds-up-to-nothing romance between these two? The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) didn't have any romances, and it was great, everyone loved it! So was a little romance worth it? It wasn't all that bad; I just don't like to see romantic affection in relationships when it can come to nothing. –When Prince Caspian actually has a future wife out there waiting for him. Anyway, I'll stop ranting now. It doesn't actually bother me all that much; but if I have a complaint about Prince Caspian (2008), it would be that.
 
     Loving Edmund in this movie. No more fraternizing with evil anymore. He stands up against darkness, even while trying to go along with Prince Caspian and Peter; and it’s great to see! He's a wonderful character, really. Lucy is loyal, sweet, and brave as always. Peters is protective, as before; and aside from his bit of arrogance shown, it was good to see him again too. It was lovely to meet Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes). His accent was neat. I don't remember how he was in the book, but he learns humbleness in this movie, and it really becomes him. It was great to watch his story. Susan was even more beautiful and warrior-woman like in this movie than the first. It was quite epic to watch her, fighting and otherwise; and it might just make me want to don a medieval dress, grab a bow and quiver of arrows, and step into Narnia, ;) She was courageous in battle, yet feminine, and determinedly fighting against evil. I think Anna Popplewell portrays the person of Susan quite well.
 
     It was weird, yet fascinating how when the Pevensie children come back to Narnia a second time, in this movie, hundreds of years have passed in Narnia. It’s also kind of sad, as Mr. Tumnus, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and everyone else from Narnia in the first movie are long dead. –Except for Aslan of course. But to try to think of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy having grown up to their 20s-30s in Narnia, then went back through the wardrobe and became little kids again; and now they’re back in Narnia looking at their adult-size clothes they don’t fit anymore… it’s strange, and sad, and funny all at once.
 
     Prince Caspian (2008) is definitely more violent than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005). –Especially the part of Caspian confronting Miraz, holding a sword to his neck. It's all quite intense, and after straining forward against the sword's tip, we see a line of blood trickling down Miraz's throat. And there’s a lengthier scene of a gross vulture creature and nasty werewolf... which was quite creepy, yet an important part of the story.
 
     All in all, it was a great tale. I love all the new characters introduced, including Prince Caspian, Reepicheep, and Trumpkin. The parts with Aslan were awesome as always. So many meaningful things he says, so many meaningful things implied. The part where Trumpkin finally looks at him is a favorite scene of mine. Oh, and the song in the end... "I'll come back, when you call me, no need to say good-bye..." so bittersweet! It always makes me want to cry. For one, Peter and Susan aren't coming back! *sniff* But that's all part of the Narnia tale. So what's not to love about this movie? It's great!
 
[Arrival in Narnia]
 

[The lovely warrior woman, *smiles*]




6 comments:

  1. Personally, I wouldn't mind if you ranted a bit longer on the totally-going-nowhere-romanace! ;-)
    Why was it even in there? As you said Lion, Witch & Wardrobe didn't have a romance and it was just fine!
    And yes the Peter, post-king-disorder, I was a little disapointed in too!
    I mean that is suppose to be the main purpose of Narnia, that you learn & grow through you experiences so you are a better person when you come out! It didn't seem to have worked that well on Peter, from that they're showing! :-)
    And then they go and have Edmund having a very similar problem in The Dawn Treader.
    It seemed like they where just look for some easy conflict.
    But, all in all it was a very good movie!
    I definitely, really liked Edmund and Caspian!

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    1. Haha, yeah, they certainly could have left the romance out, and we'd all have been happier for it!! :p :) It made no sense, but I guess they felt they had to add a little romantic drama it. Whatever.

      Right. It was especially hard for me to watch Peter act like that to Prince Caspian. Didn't seem very much like Peter, :/

      Thanks for commenting! I'm glad to know someone else is a fan of these movies! :)

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  2. Absolutely! I was very irritated with the way they had Peter act! Totally not Peterlike. :-(
    At least not in the book!
    But since I don't minded the not-in-the-book part of The Dawn Treader, maybe I don't have any room to complain about that not being in the book here! ;-) But, beyond that I would say it is out of character!
    That's another thing that gets me, when the writers have characters that I like acting out of character just for plot convenience! That makes me angry! When a character is created then he/she should act in summarily ways to his previous actions. Unless we're talking character growth, but that's something that usually comes along gradually & should be and improvement!

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    1. Yes, that is annoying! Then it's like you don't really know the character anymore. In order for a book to really draw you in, it has to be life-like, I think; the people have to be real!

      So yeah, we definitely agree on that! :)

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  3. I hated how out of character Peter was. And tbe Caspian/Susan romance. Ugh. It was a rather disappointing first movie theater experience, but the movie has grown on me considerably since. I do love the part where the mice tie up the cat, despite the fact that the whole raid on Miraz's castle wasn't in the book. And Edmund was fantastic!

    ACTUALLY, Prince Caspian is the second book.in the series. I'm a die hard advocate of the original published order for many reasons...all of which I don't feel like typing with my thumbs on my kindle in the middle of the night. :) But I have many reasons, and, aside from the internal story reasons, I have had people tell me that they tried to read them in the chronological order, but stopped because they thought it was boring. Original published order all the way!

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    1. Edmund was fantastic! :-) And yes, the mice tying up the cat is funny! :-D

      Ah, that's interesting. I can see how it would be important! Like I think reading Anne Elisabeth Stengl's books by publishing date is essential! You get the full impact when you read them in the order they were published probably. :-)

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