The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Rated PG
Tropical Dots
Written by Jack P. King
Edited by Ma’at
In my review of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe a few years back I said “it is disappointing that the second in the Narnia series is not yet scheduled to be made the world was ready and waiting for more.” That wait was ended last week with the release of Prince Caspian. Like The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe I really enjoyed Prince Caspian and think it is a great family feature will with non stop action and a story that keeps your attention from start to finish. Prince Caspian’s ability to keep my attention made it hard for me to think about the film as something to review. The three year wait for this film was worth it. Not only did the major cast members return, which is a must in any sequel, but the director and special effects company are the same adding to the continuity of the two films.
Director Andrew Adamson who also directed the first two Shrek movies brings his limited, but extraordinarily successful family film, experience to this tale of Narnia. Not to mention that the effects company Weta Digital who brought The Lord of the Rings to life is the main effects company that helps Narnia’s creature look so extraordinary. Combine this with the return of the four child actors from the first film and you have the perfect sequel to the blockbuster, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, hit of 2005.
Yet with so many elements tying the two films together this second installment of the Narnia series is considerably different than the first. With a much darker plot Prince Caspian delivers a successful story of battle, betrayal and belief. I was amazed that with the number of deaths and killings in the movie it was able to keep a PG rating. I guess that is what you an do with a computer generated mouse swordsman that makes kills that show no blood. It is easy to see, with all these darker themes shown in a family friendly way, why I like this movie better than The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and am eagerly awaiting the third movie in a few years.
Yes, … I am happy to report that the third film in the series The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is in the works and scheduled for release in 2010. Once again the major cast members will return in their roles, however, they have changed the director for this third film. I am not sure if this is a good move because of the success of the previous films. The old director is staying on as a producer so he will be involved, but the film might have a different feel; we will see in two years.
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