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alexiscartwheelPrince Caspian on Friday was fantastic! The second Narnia story is much darker than it's predecessor The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but just as magical.
There were some pretty significant changes to the narrative structure of Prince Caspian, which I think made for better film storytelling. (In the book, a major section of the action involving Caspian is related second hand to the Pevensie children, which would have been very awkward on screen.) Overall, the adaptation was very faithful to the source material. Although some elements were changed, I noticed many seemingly insignificant details that were retained, for instance a Bulgy Bear serving as Marshall of the Lists. I think that kind of attention to detail shows a real appreciation of the material by the filmmakers.
Prince Caspian is visually stunning from beginning to end. I'm not sure where they shot any of the scenes, but there are some amazing Narnian landscapes. The battles are well realized--and longer than the scant pages given to them in the novel. There's obviously a lot of CGI at work in those scenes, but it didn't seem intrusive at all.
One of the things I loved about the film was that it addressed (a little bit) an issue that I've always had as a longtime reader: that strange disconnect of growing up as kings and queens then being returned to normal life as children. I thought the distinct personalities of the children and their different ways of dealing with their return were very well portrayed. I particularly love Lucy and Edmund. Edmund was subtle but strong, and he got some great lines. His scene delivering Peter's challenge to Miraz is fabulous. Lucy is the emotional heart of the story and the one who still has the greatest love for Narnia. (Interestingly, when I was younger, I identified more with Susan, but now I identify more with Lucy.)
Overall, it's a great movie that satisfied this reader but I think would also be enjoyable for those encountering the story for the first time. Now I'm eager for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. More King Caspian, the return of Edmund and Lucy, and of course Eustace. In the meantime, I may just have to watch Prince Caspian again!
There were some pretty significant changes to the narrative structure of Prince Caspian, which I think made for better film storytelling. (In the book, a major section of the action involving Caspian is related second hand to the Pevensie children, which would have been very awkward on screen.) Overall, the adaptation was very faithful to the source material. Although some elements were changed, I noticed many seemingly insignificant details that were retained, for instance a Bulgy Bear serving as Marshall of the Lists. I think that kind of attention to detail shows a real appreciation of the material by the filmmakers.
Prince Caspian is visually stunning from beginning to end. I'm not sure where they shot any of the scenes, but there are some amazing Narnian landscapes. The battles are well realized--and longer than the scant pages given to them in the novel. There's obviously a lot of CGI at work in those scenes, but it didn't seem intrusive at all.
One of the things I loved about the film was that it addressed (a little bit) an issue that I've always had as a longtime reader: that strange disconnect of growing up as kings and queens then being returned to normal life as children. I thought the distinct personalities of the children and their different ways of dealing with their return were very well portrayed. I particularly love Lucy and Edmund. Edmund was subtle but strong, and he got some great lines. His scene delivering Peter's challenge to Miraz is fabulous. Lucy is the emotional heart of the story and the one who still has the greatest love for Narnia. (Interestingly, when I was younger, I identified more with Susan, but now I identify more with Lucy.)
Overall, it's a great movie that satisfied this reader but I think would also be enjoyable for those encountering the story for the first time. Now I'm eager for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. More King Caspian, the return of Edmund and Lucy, and of course Eustace. In the meantime, I may just have to watch Prince Caspian again!
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