Share Marcia's profile
Marcia
Marcia's stats
- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewMay 17, 2008
- Last reviewMay 17, 2008
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating2
Marcia's Reviews
Overall rating
2
/
5
Prince Who?
PostedMay 17, 2008
Marcia
from Lincoln, NE
Having bought my ticket online and well in advance, last night marked the end of my six long months of waiting for volume four of the Chronicles of Narnia brought to film. Having no one to go with did not curb my enthusiasm in the slightest because the classic story of Prince Caspian has been with me longer than anyone I know around here; it is a story I've visited (with its six paperback companions) at least once every couple of years since elementary school.
Although small creative licenses were taken in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the film makers paid attention to minute details; from the way the sunlight reflects in Aslan's mane to the fly buzzing on the windowsill in the land of "Spare Oom." I expected to be delighted by Prince Caspian. I was not.
After skipping Caspian's childhood entirely, the birth of his cousin starts a film that requires significant explanation within the first fifteen seconds. I feel that this inconsiderate omission is disrespectful to the portrayal of who Caspian is. Caspian's wonder and admiration of the Narnians is so much a product of his upbringing that without explanation of his background, he becomes a snobbish, insufferable know-it-all who is rarely impressed. Additionally, the delinquent storytelling robs moviegoers of delightful character that is Dr. Cornelius, who is referred to as merely "the professor" and plays an extremely limited role. There is no mention of Caspian's nurse, the courageously rebellious woman who taught Caspian to crave peace and freedom.
Deliberate disregard for literary accuracy is demonstrated in a scene where Caspian, with the help of an old hag and wolflike beast, uses dark magic to summon the spirit of the White Witch. It is clearly stated in the beginning of Caspian's (real) journey that he strictly opposes the slightest association with persons such as those, but that was merely the way his story was written by C.S. Lewis, an author whose classic literary masterpiece was only loosely followed in the making of this film.
In short, the film makers could have told Caspian's heroic story with a spectacular film but instead resorted to glossing over critical information and details; an ultimate betrayal to the literate minority.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
Share:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.