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The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

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171 out of 271 people found the following comment useful :-
Great follow up to the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, 5 April 2008

Author: the-gossip-king from Australia

I caught this while on holidays but I won't give any extra details for obvious reasons.

This will definitely go down as one of the best fantasy films of all time. I think Lord of the Rings is going to always be the best but Prince Caspian has really boosted the Chronicles of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was great but not groundbreaking. This movie was based on what I think was one of the worst books in the series. It was good but not as good as any of the others. This is now my favorite movie. The action is a lot greater and the visuals have improved as well. The kids are better than they were in the first movie and I really think they will come along way. I also think that when Harry Potter ends the Chronicles of Narnia will be there to pick up all the fans. Overall it was a great movie and I look forward to the next movie.

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45 out of 57 people found the following comment useful :-
Simply amazing, 14 May 2008

Author: bruce-246 from United States

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a screening in Washington, DC prior to release. This production has what it takes. Great production, true to the story line, lots of nail biting and fascinating.

It never felt like it was over two hours. I'd have to say that Walden did an amazing job of staying true to the storyline and that Disney's magic is back. I will recommend this movie and absolutely plan on adding the DVD to my library when it comes out. I may even go and pay to see it again.

The only recommendation I have is to continue with the other 5 books. I've seen every one of the productions of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and it took Disney to make it right. Now they've continued with Prince Caspian, and I'm anything BUT disappointed. As long as the storyline and production keep improving, it can only get better.

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35 out of 43 people found the following comment useful :-
A rousing fantasy adventure., 14 May 2008

Author: ungy357 from United States

Director Andrew Adamson, who helmed the first installment in the series, after making his career primarily in animation (including the original "Shrek") seems decidedly more comfortable in his role as a live action director this time around, and he handles the scope and the pacing of this epic adventure with a polished skill that is a very pleasant surprise. In addition, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell, returning as the Pevensie children, have matured, not only physically, but in their acting ability. There is a deftness and self assuredness this time around that surpasses the original, and makes for an extremely entertaining film.

The story begins with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), nephew of Miraz (Sergio Castellito), the leader of the "Telmarines," the human population that is now the dominant race in Narnia, fleeing for his life when Miraz's wife gives birth to a son. Miraz usurped the throne from the rightful King, Caspian's father, and now that he has an heir of his own, he wants Caspian out of the way for good.

Meanwhile, back in London, Peter and his siblings are trying to adjust to life in the real world. Peter is getting into fights because he can't bear people "treating him like a kid," after growing to adulthood before leaving Narnia, only to return at the exact age he was when he first stepped through the wardrobe. But in less time than it takes to board the London underground, the Pevensie's are once again transported back to the magical kingdom - only it is not the place they left. Over a thousand years have passed, and the castle of Cair Paravel lies in ruins.

As the children struggle to find out what has happened, they stumble upon a Dwarf named Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage), who is being taken prisoner by abusive Telmarine soldiers. Susan, who doesn't seem to have had much opportunity to show off her finely honed archery skills at home in Finchley, eagerly takes the opportunity to rescue Trumpkin from his captors, and the surly old dwarf (whom Lucy and Edmund nickname "The D.L.F.", or "Dear Little Friend,") explains that all is not well in Narnia. It seems that not long after the High King Peter and his siblings left Narnia, the land was plunged into a dark age, and the Telmarines have ruled for hundreds of years with an iron fist. The days of the many creatures, including talking beasts, living in harmony together, have long since passed, and no one has seen or heard of Aslan the Lion in centuries. And what's more, the trees are no longer friends to the Narnians - they are just normal, everyday trees.

It doesn't take long before the children meet up with Caspain, who is hiding out in the forest with a misfit band of followers, and soon the young would be heroes join forces in a plot to reclaim Narnia for the Narnians, and place Caspian, the rightful heir, on the throne.

The film moves along at a steady, exciting pace, with skillfully staged action and suspense that will have audience members on the edge of their seats, and while in general it stays very faithful to the source material, there is quite a bit of added embellishment to make for a grander and more spectacular epic, with added battle and chase sequences that are deftly handled and add to the story and the level of excitement, where in less skilled hands they could have easily overtaken it. The level of action, and violence, is really quite a bit stronger than in the first film, and the film has a darker, grittier tone, which makes it something of a surprise that the filmmakers got away with a PG rating for what is clearly a PG-13 film.

As mentioned before, the actors really step up to the plate this time, in particularly Keynes and Moseley as Peter and Edmund. But the most delightful performances come from the great Peter Dinklage (known for his brilliantly subtle turn in "The Station Agent," and perhaps best remembered as the diminutive author of children's books in "Elf") and Reepicheep, a bold and chivalrous mouse (voice of Eddie Izzard), who really steals the show. The effects are absolutely top notch, and in the final third the movie reaches such a fever pitch of excitement that it recalls Peter Jackson's "The Two Towers," arguably the most exciting installment of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

So, in the end, "Prince Caspian" may not be the profound allegorical tale that "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" was, or reach the same level of magical wonder, but it more than succeeds at what it sets out to do, and strongly indicates that there is a future in the Narnia franchise.

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21 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
Prince Caspian is more than a worthy sequel to the first Narnia film!, 9 May 2008

Author: Chronicles_Of_Narnia from Narnia

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I was able to catch a test screening for Disney's highly anticipated Chronicles of Narnia sequel.

The theater was PACKED, (At least 350 people from the greater Chicago area) but all the flier said was that the screening was for a Disney summer movie, nothing more. When the crowd was notified that the film being screened was for Prince Caspian, there was a loud cheer. Mark Johnson, the producer of the film was in attendance taking notes on the audience's reaction.

The audience cheered pretty loudly at the end of the film, and Mark Johnson, producer of the film asked what people liked and disliked. People said they liked the fact that this film had a lot more action, had better pacing, and better visual effects.

All in all, I would say I really enjoyed this film, a lot more than the first one. I liked the visual creatures a lot more, the action, and I really enjoyed the storyline. Despite a questionable release date, I would say that this film, will really please fans of the first film, and those who enjoy fantasy films in general. I would give this film a 10 on a scale of 1-10. Long live Aslan and long live the Chronicles Of Narnia!

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13 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Oh....My.....Gosh.... A Darker, More Violent Narnia Emerges!, 14 May 2008

Author: MovieFan1995 from MovieTown, America

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Wow, Prince Caspian, the long awaited sequel to the box office smash, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe finally hits theaters in North America on Friday May 16th.

Without spoiling the film, this is a much darker, at times funnier, and a much more adult Narnia sequel than the first film.

The Pevensies have grown up, show more angst and are experiencing emotions that weren't in the first film.

A lot more action, and a lot darker storyline could frighten small children.

I would not recommend this film to any children under the age of 7 as some of the more violent acts could frighten them.

However, this is a terrific fantasy film, with some of the best action, I have seen in years. I can't wait for the third Narnia film, bring it on Disney!

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13 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Wonderful, 14 May 2008

Author: luisdim7 from Colombia

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This movie was't so great like the lord of the rings but was an unbelievable movie, awesome special effects, awesome sounds, incredible make-up like in the first movie, very good costumes, an incredible actuation of all the cast was great. I think that this movie will be an incredible hit. I also think tha this is better movie than the first one the chronicles of Narnia: The lion, The witch and the wardrove. Wonderful movie and wonderful cast, I hope that the other two movie the voyage of the dwan trader and the silver chair are good like this movie what an incredible movie is this one.I think that will win at least an Oscar.

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9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Prince Caspian Movie Review, 16 May 2008

Author: joel massie (MoviePulse_dot_net) from www.MoviePulse.net

Prince Caspian is every bit as entertaining as the first film in the adaptations of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. The action sequences and special effects continue to exponentially improve, but the plot remains haplessly repetitious. While Lewis may have created countless original ideas in his novels, the movies themselves have already been beat to the punch by The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Shrek and many others, causing Prince Caspian to feel like it's borrowing elements from other fantasy fare. Entertaining but predictable, this sequel is an admirable second chapter to the Narnia saga that is sure to win over fans old and new.

Only a few years have passed in England, but thousands have drastically changed the war-torn lands of Narnia. When the heir to the throne, Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), is betrayed by the scheming Lord Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), he inadvertently summons the kings and queens of old – Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley). Forming an allegiance with the scattered Narnians, Prince Caspian and the Pevensies (with the help of a little magic and a talking lion) must wage war against Miraz's Telmarine army to once again restore peace to Narnia.

The story starts right up without pausing considerably to educate unfamiliar or forgetful audiences as to the origins of Narnia, or to the magical elements that affect the Pevensie children. While many will grow accustomed to Narnia's paradisaical qualities, the children's return, without the use of the wardrobe, is rather inexplicit. Along those lines, the mysteries surrounding Aslan's apparitions, Lucy's selective use of her healing serum, and the unharnessed powers of Mother Nature all bring questions to the film; most of which are not answered.

As the children mature, so do the Shakespearean themes and tone of this darker follow-up. Tragically, the biggest downfall to the fascinating world of Narnia and its engrossing inhabitants is the fact that nearly every idea has already been expended by other movies. C.S. Lewis may have crafted many of his creative elements years before Shrek or 300, but those movies beat Narnia to the big screen. Whether it's Reepicheep, who is unappealingly similar to Shrek's Puss In Boots, or the Telmarine infantry, whose armored masks closely resemble 300's Immortal army, Narnia simply doesn't feel original. It's a shame that many viewer's first encounter with the thaumaturgical inventions will be through the film and not the novels.

Despite a Lord of the Rings: Return of the King conclusion (a comparison that fantasy films should avoid), Prince Caspian indeed amps up the adventure. Better action, superior use of slow-motion and family friendly violence (such as a PG decapitation) aid in the film's smooth pace and sustained action. A more savage, war-torn Narnia doesn't necessarily make a better one, but new heroes and villains, nonstop epic battles, and a mature setting help keep the second Chronicles afloat in the heavily treaded waters of fantasy tales.

- The Massie Twins

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Lived up to its hype..., 16 May 2008

Author: rumyas from India

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Warning! May contain spoilers!

Finally saw it!!! I have been waiting for this for ages.. and i wasn't disappointed. I also haven't re-read the book in ages, so maybe i don't remember it that well, which may be why I liked the film so much, but hey i went there to be entertained, and i was.

The plot stuck to the basic story as far as i could remember, and added a few scenes more. Maybe the Susan-Caspian plot shouldn't have been there, seeing as how we know what happens with Susan later on in the series. In fact, Susan's character was a little different from what I expected, especially after her slightly whiny "mother wouldn't allow this" scenes in LWW, but anyway.. she definitely compensated for not having joined the battle in the first one here. :) I hope they do bring her back in the Last Battle and not leave her where the books did. Come on, she wasn't so bad..

I liked the scenery too, even if they may have been a little "stock travelogue", cos they were pretty awesome on the big screen. Music might have been a little similar to the LWW, but it matched the pace of the movie well. Edmund and Lucy's characters did not have as much screen time as Peter or Susan, but definitely made their presence felt. I loved the scene where the Telmarines stopped short at the sight of Lucy at the bridge!

Peter seemed a little arrogant at first, especially when he leads the Narnians in the failed attack at Miraz's castle, but it was in keeping with the character that was fighting at the beginning of the movie, and he did realize his mistake, as did Susan, especially where Aslan was concerned, so I think that made it OK at the end. And I totally loved the character of Reepicheep, and am looking forward to the next installment!

For Narnia, And for Aslan!

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Well done, and much better than the first, 16 May 2008

Author: bpetruzzo from United States

I just got home from seeing the first possible showing of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Well of course, what else could one expect? I'm a Christian and I guess I do things like that. That's exactly what Disney and Walden Media are banking on. Literally.

I will say up front that Narnia is an obvious, shameless attempt to capitalize on the growing population of Americans who proactively call themselves Christians. I'm certain that many fans of the original C.S. Lewis works will have grievances with the film adaptation of this installment in the series, but there's something important to note here. Between C.S. Lewis and Disney/Walden Media, there is a very important difference. C.S. Lewis was a writer to the glory of God, with the end hope that those who didn't know Jesus would, and those who did know Jesus would fall more deeply in love with him. His articulate and inspiring allegories and non-fiction works have done this for a vast number of people. Walden Media and Disney, on the other hand, have one thing in mind. Money. They are businesses and it's what they do, it's what they exist for and it would be silly for us to expect otherwise.

However more shallow the purpose in producing this series may be, it does not change that an excellent job was done.

For those who are unfamiliar with this installment of the Narnia series, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan have been back in the real world for a year since they're first trip to Narnia when suddenly they are whisked back. In Narnia times, somewhere around 1000 years have passed and the whimsical creatures of the ancient land have been forced into hiding by a line of corrupt kings of the "son's of Adam". When the gang arrives on the scene, they discover things to be quite different than they remember and a lot rougher (also a quality of the film, clearly contrasting the last installment). Alongside Prince Caspian, the rightful heir to the throne, the crew must lead the Narnians in a fight against the army's of men.

When compared to the story's close relative The Lord of the Rings, Narnia is child's play. In the whole film there is next to no graphic violence at all. In fact, the only blood shown is when one character cuts his hand. But let's remember, this is a family film. And even being such, the lack of graphic violence didn't take away from the intensity of the action or the story. Unlike the first film, which ultimately felt a bit anticlimactic, this installment pushed the audience's limits at pretty much every turn. The fight sequences were intense enough to be believed and the characters deep enough to be cared about. The combination made for an extremely enjoyable viewing experience.

The movie's pacing should also be noted. While nearly everything in the first installment of Narnia felt rushed and crowded, the second installment clearly resolved this problem for the most part. Although the opening sequence involving the children did feel a bit hasty, the rest of the story unfolded with grace and clarity. A friend appropriately described it saying that they fully committed to nearly every sequence. No fight was rushed, no argument skimmed over, no dialogue irrationally assumed. They took their time on every opportunity and it paid off well.

The visual effects in this installment were stellar. One particular sequence involving a water creature stands out as possibly being the best visual effects I have ever seen to date. The music score was also excellent. It never distracted from the movie; in fact, I rarely explicitly noticed it at all.

While it seems that much of the movie stayed true to the book, there are a number of events in the movie which I know for sure were added; likely for commercial appeal. Those who have read the book will probably grumble at them because the additions added little and often threatened what was already there; one quite notably so. I agree that the additions were frivolous and ultimately useless, but let's remember, Disney and Walden aren't trying to make disciples here, they're trying to make money. Once again, this installment also closed with an extremely poor choice in soundtrack. However, the error is easily forgiven, and who can blame them for wanting to sell a few extra copies of the soundtrack album?

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4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
A Dark and Mature Sequel, 16 May 2008

Author: Tanmay Toraskar from India

This is something you wouldn't want to miss. If you thoroughly enjoyed the first film, then this one is a darker adventure than the first one. Everything in Narnia goes totally out of control and tough to handle.

The film starts off with a Spanish group who have invaded Narnia and wiped out all the creatures living there. As it goes, the Pevensie kids are summoned to Narnia to fix up the wrong doings. A lot of conspiracy is thrown into the movie, but it feels like a plot well presented. It's pace is quick and starts right off not waiting to re-introduce everything again.

The cast is absolutely fantastic. The Pevensie kids, just like the last time, add the right amount of drama and humor to their respective roles. Especially Georgie Henley who plays Lucy is the standout yet again. But a worthy addition would also be Prince Caspian, played by Ben Barnes. He acts like a courageous and brave Prince born to lead an army. This is a good breakthrough for him. Also worth mentioning is King Miraz, a great villain since Tilda Swinton. As for a few cameo appearances you should also look out for, the performances are remarkable.

The other outstanding details I loved to see yet again in the film were the Cinematography, The Production Design, and Visual Effects. The shots were lavish and grand. Specially the Long shots, reminded me of The Lord Of The Rings. The Art Direction and the locations are astounding, very vibrant and unlike anything you would have ever seen in film. And of course the Visual Effects, those everlasting details adds another level entirely. You will love watching all this come together.

Even the action and battle sequences feel like a last stand to something no one can win. Its against all odds. You would cringe just because of the turn the film takes. It is filled with dark themes and more mature elements which would be a little hard to take. You might feel that the first one was pretty good. But give it another chance and you would feel this movie is just as good as the first.

For what I feel, this is a really good movie. 9 out of 10. Go to Narnia.

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