"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

By: Matt Duncan
Coastal View News

Like a younger brother walking into high school for the first time—with teachers and coaches expecting a younger version of the older sibling—High King Peter continues to be overshadowed by Aragorn and Frodo in the latest installment of C.S. Lewis’ series: “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” Despite the movie’s adequacy, it is hard to avoid seeing this series as “Lord of the Rings-Light” or “Lord of the Rings-Junior.”

Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy Pevensie are just getting used to life back in England after a rip-roaring adventure in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” with each child coping with the absence of magic in a difference way. Peter (William Moseley), who misses the mystical kingdom he once ruled, is restless to return. Susan (Anna Popplewell), on the other hand, has begun to accept the normal life she now leads. Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) are somewhere in-between.

Just as Peter begins to express his complete frustration, the four siblings are returned to Narnia in a windstorm. However, after a moment of jubilation, the family learns that their beloved kingdom is in trouble. In their absence, and without the help of their beloved lion Aslan (Liam Neeson), the human race has become corrupt—killing off all that is magical and innocent.

The lone dissenter in this tragedy is Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), rightful heir to the human throne. However, Caspian’s uncle, Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), desires the throne and is aiming to rid the kingdom of his nephew and only competitor. While on the run, Caspian blows on an ancient horn that summons the “kings and queens of old” (the Pevensie children)—thus resulting in the Pevensie’s wind-swept transportation to Narnia.

Now accompanied by two kings, two queens and a prince, the once-hidden centaurs, dwarfs, skunks and miscellaneous creatures rally together to stage a battle against Miraz and his terrible kingdom. High King Peter goes about battle preparations, but he lacks faith in the absent Aslan—preferring to do things his own way. What results is a bungled attack on the enemy’s castle, dozens of dead friends and a bickering cast of young heroes.

When at their lowest—with the enemy now closing in on their dilapidated sanctuary—the group finally decides to send Lucy to find Aslan. Meanwhile, a challenge and a battle ensue, pitting the wits, minds and hearts of the noble Prince Caspian and High King Peter against the twisted Miraz.

One can imagine C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, good friends living in England in the mid-1900s, sitting down next to each other to write a story. It is tough to tell who was copying off whose paper, considering “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Lord of the Rings” were written at about the same time. Although both Lewis and Tolkien were well-versed in mythology, so many details and images in “The Chronicles of Narnia” are strikingly similar to “The Lord of the Rings,” that a viewer cannot help but think the two authors were sharing ideas. The religious imagery, the mythical creatures, the fighting trees—although these are different stories, the cast and setting seem to be the same.

Because it is impossible to avoid comparing Lewis’ and Tolkien’s stories, and because “The Lord of the Rings” was so wonderful, “The Chronicles of Narnia” is going to be worse off. However, the latest Narnia flick is good in its own right and tons of fun. “The Chronicles of Narnia” is directed at a younger audience, as evidenced by children in the lead, simpler concepts and religious symbolism that is more transparent. The acting is slightly sub-par on the whole (mostly due to the casting of Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian), but about average for a children’s movie. Yet the true shortcoming of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” is that the movie does nothing new or original to set it apart. It is not enough to remind viewers that the story may have been original in the 1950s.

It really is the climate that is going to hurt this movie, because the story is rich in meaning and the movie is exciting. Children will the love the movie and adults will like it too, as long as they have not watched “The Lord of the Rings” recently.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” is rated PG for epic battle action and violence.