"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" is definitely an adaptation of the beloved children's novel by C.S. Lewis. as a huge fan of both Lewis and cinema, for me, this is both a good thing and a bad thing.
the book upon which it is based is arguably the worst book of the seven-part Narnia series, and is undoubtedly a difficult book to adapt into film as Lewis spends pages and pages talking about sights and sounds that have nothing to do with the actual plot. the first 45 minutes of the film are oddly paced and the cumbersome work of adapting the book shows. the script rushes over some aspects that I think are rather important, such as the personality of Trumpkin the Dwarf, and a new fan might wish they had a copy of the book to consult at times. at other moments, the film dwells too much on subplots that have little relevance to the main themes, including an invented romance plot between Caspian and Susan which is never even hinted at in the book. also, they try to weave in too many spiritual messages that simply are not in the book, as Lewis based Caspian more on pagan mythology than Gospel theology.
there are many successful changes, however. the storming of Miraz's castle, though not in the book, is a fantastic sequence. the liberties taken with making Caspian older than in the book is also forgiven as Ben Barnes turns in a great performance. i was also a fan of the imperial Spanish-based culture given to the Telmarines. the film excels the first in its scope and production value, the sets and costumes are astonishing and the visuals are nothing short of spectacular. the Battle of Beruna is a breathtaking affair, wonderfully realized by Adamson and Co.
the film missteps at times, no doubt, and lacks the emotional punch of its predecessor, but is still very entertaining and a worthy sequel, though a step below LWW. i feel it's a good set up for "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," which is a book heavier on action than on plot. all in all, a good film, but not a great film.
the book upon which it is based is arguably the worst book of the seven-part Narnia series, and is undoubtedly a difficult book to adapt into film as Lewis spends pages and pages talking about sights and sounds that have nothing to do with the actual plot. the first 45 minutes of the film are oddly paced and the cumbersome work of adapting the book shows. the script rushes over some aspects that I think are rather important, such as the personality of Trumpkin the Dwarf, and a new fan might wish they had a copy of the book to consult at times. at other moments, the film dwells too much on subplots that have little relevance to the main themes, including an invented romance plot between Caspian and Susan which is never even hinted at in the book. also, they try to weave in too many spiritual messages that simply are not in the book, as Lewis based Caspian more on pagan mythology than Gospel theology.
there are many successful changes, however. the storming of Miraz's castle, though not in the book, is a fantastic sequence. the liberties taken with making Caspian older than in the book is also forgiven as Ben Barnes turns in a great performance. i was also a fan of the imperial Spanish-based culture given to the Telmarines. the film excels the first in its scope and production value, the sets and costumes are astonishing and the visuals are nothing short of spectacular. the Battle of Beruna is a breathtaking affair, wonderfully realized by Adamson and Co.
the film missteps at times, no doubt, and lacks the emotional punch of its predecessor, but is still very entertaining and a worthy sequel, though a step below LWW. i feel it's a good set up for "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," which is a book heavier on action than on plot. all in all, a good film, but not a great film.