Too much battle in 'Narnia'
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, May 25, 2008
It was more fun when those "Narnia" kids were rummaging around in the closet. Now, in "Prince Caspian," they're merely sorting someone else's sweaters.
In the new "Chronicles of Narnia," the Pevensies take a backseat to Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), a deposed ruler who's determined to get his rightful throne. He's spirited away by a trusty adviser, then told to watch out because an evil relative is out to do him in.
Also left in the lurch? The Narnians, who don't quite have a lion, a witch or a wardrobe on their side.
Traveling (much like the "Harry Potter" kids) by train station, Edmond, Peter, Lucy and Susan size up the situation, then go to work. Lucy (Georgie Henley) spots Aslan, the lion. But no one else seems to believe. So, she's charged with taming the beast. The two boys train some ragtag troops (and get to put their own dueling skills to the test). Susan (Anna Popplewell) makes eyes at Caspian.
It's all very Errol Flynn but it doesn't seem quite as metaphoric as the first "Narnia" film. Oh, sure, the witch and the lion make cameos but isn't there more to the series than a couple of guest appearances?
Director Andrew Adamson spends too much time in battle. The troops are so vast you think this is a remake of "Braveheart."
By the time the bad guy is given his marching papers, we're ready to surrender. "Prince Caspian" has lots of special effects but they're hardly seamless. Anyone familiar with these kinds of films can guess when animators have taken over for actors.
Thankfully, Barnes is good as Caspian. He has a dashing manner that suggests a younger Billy Crudup but it's unlikely he's going to fuel another series.
Instead, this franchise looks like it's headed in the same direction as "Law & Order": Someone else has the adventure. The regulars just facilitate the drama.
More disappointing? Aslan (Liam Neeson) and the White Witch (Tilda Swinton) are simply bit players.
When the first "Chronicles of Narnia" opened, much was made about its Biblical roots. This time out, it's more difficult to make the parallels. Lucy carries the torch (she has faith); the others go their own way.
"Prince Caspian" isn't a bad adventure, just a routine one. It clanks around like many others, then gallops to an expected finish.
Peter Dinklage and Warwick Davis provide the most excitement as two Narnians, but their time is cut short, too. This is a swashbuckler dressed up as an allegory. Too much, unfortunately, is left in the closet.
Rated PG, "Prince Caspian" features violence.
On a scale of four stars, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" gets:
2 1/2 stars
In the new "Chronicles of Narnia," the Pevensies take a backseat to Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), a deposed ruler who's determined to get his rightful throne. He's spirited away by a trusty adviser, then told to watch out because an evil relative is out to do him in.
Also left in the lurch? The Narnians, who don't quite have a lion, a witch or a wardrobe on their side.
Traveling (much like the "Harry Potter" kids) by train station, Edmond, Peter, Lucy and Susan size up the situation, then go to work. Lucy (Georgie Henley) spots Aslan, the lion. But no one else seems to believe. So, she's charged with taming the beast. The two boys train some ragtag troops (and get to put their own dueling skills to the test). Susan (Anna Popplewell) makes eyes at Caspian.
It's all very Errol Flynn but it doesn't seem quite as metaphoric as the first "Narnia" film. Oh, sure, the witch and the lion make cameos but isn't there more to the series than a couple of guest appearances?
Director Andrew Adamson spends too much time in battle. The troops are so vast you think this is a remake of "Braveheart."
By the time the bad guy is given his marching papers, we're ready to surrender. "Prince Caspian" has lots of special effects but they're hardly seamless. Anyone familiar with these kinds of films can guess when animators have taken over for actors.
Thankfully, Barnes is good as Caspian. He has a dashing manner that suggests a younger Billy Crudup but it's unlikely he's going to fuel another series.
Instead, this franchise looks like it's headed in the same direction as "Law & Order": Someone else has the adventure. The regulars just facilitate the drama.
More disappointing? Aslan (Liam Neeson) and the White Witch (Tilda Swinton) are simply bit players.
When the first "Chronicles of Narnia" opened, much was made about its Biblical roots. This time out, it's more difficult to make the parallels. Lucy carries the torch (she has faith); the others go their own way.
"Prince Caspian" isn't a bad adventure, just a routine one. It clanks around like many others, then gallops to an expected finish.
Peter Dinklage and Warwick Davis provide the most excitement as two Narnians, but their time is cut short, too. This is a swashbuckler dressed up as an allegory. Too much, unfortunately, is left in the closet.
Rated PG, "Prince Caspian" features violence.
On a scale of four stars, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" gets:
2 1/2 stars
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