Share Zenfrodo's profile
Zenfrodo
Zenfrodo's stats
- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewMay 24, 2008
- Last reviewMay 24, 2008
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Zenfrodo's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
Worthy follow-up to the first
PostedMay 24, 2008
Zenfrodo
from Columbus OH
First, do NOT go to this movie expecting to see a blow-by-blow adaptation of the book.
Things have been changed. However, the changes are mostly for the better. The Narnia books are one of my most-loved series, and I'll be the first to say that any word-for-word adaptation would've been BORING on the screen. This movie is a thrill-ride, solidly-acted, and heart-wrenching.
The child actors are wonderful, with much attention made to making them realistic (instead of the noble goody-two-shoes they tended to be in the books) -- how would YOU feel if you'd been an adult king/queen, ruling your own kingdom, and then had to go back and be a kid again, under adult control? The director & screenplay address this point marvelously, giving an emotional depth that is ignored in the books, especially to Peter's character.
At one point, Peter stages a raid on Miraz's castle, a raid that ends in tragedy, with half his forces caught behind the portcullis and trapped -- and Peter, outside, stands on the bridge, agonizing as his people are slaughtered. At that point, you SEE what a great king Peter must have been for Narnia, the caring for his people in his whole body and his helplessness at not being able to do ANYTHING. And that agony is marvelously brought to a conclusion at the climactic one-on-one between Peter & Miraz, when you realize that Peter is willing to lay down HIS life to save his people, no matter what the cost...and mature enough to hold back his own personal revenge to allow Prince Caspian the chance to likewise grow.
A point about the violence. It is realistic violence, though NOT gory (everything is implied, not graphically shown); that makes it all the more scarier. And I'm one of those folks who will whole-hearted recommend taking your kids to this film, no matter what age. It is NEVER too early to teach kids that violence & war HURT, that there's a cost to pay for freedom.
My only gripe with this movie is with the ending songs -- dear gods, Walden, starting that pop song while the kids were still in Narnia was just jarring. If the editors had waited just a few seconds & started the song when the kids hit the station at the end, it would've worked. however, it's a small quibble. I was still crying my eyes out when the credits rolled.
Oh, yeah, fangirls, and Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian is HOT. I can't wait for Dawntreader.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.