Sometimes, I’d rather not see a movie based on a book — especially a collection of classic novels. For instance, I’m not sure how I’ll feel about watching The Dark Tower films (if in fact they are ever made). I have too much of a personal and emotional investment in the books, which could be compromised by someone else’s vision. Know what I mean?
It didn’t happen with the Potter films, strangely enough. I’ve enjoyed them all so far. Looks like it’s the same for the Narnia series of films. We saw the second one last night. Some general observations:
- It wasn’t as captivating as the first movie, but as sequels go, that’s not particularly surprising. I was delighted, however, at how close some of the scenes matched my own construction from reading the book.
- Too. Many. Battle scenes. There weren’t just numerous battles, there were numerous lengthy battles. I guess that’s the nature of battles; just not my speed.
- I adore the personalities of the four children. By the second film, all four have changed. Peter is darker and more prideful, Susan more mature and introspective. Edmund puts his big-boy trousers on, and Lucy grows wiser. It was also fun to see how Ed and Lucy have grown (physically) since the last movie.
- The creatures were, as one would expect from a Disney film, quite well done, with seamless CG. Also just the right amount of grumpiness from Trumpkin; perfect sarcasm from Reepicheep. Always a wink somewhere in the script.
- Aside: We really enjoyed the commentary by BFF Kay and Bob, because much of the movie was filmed in Slovenia (where they lived six months out of every year for several years).
- I wish Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) would have decided on an accent and stayed with it.
- If you’re looking for blood-slinging fights, they don’t happen. The ubiquitous battles are tame — which I liked. No severed heads, dangling limbs or gushing wounds. Some would say that cheapens the effect, but I’d be quick to remind them that in the days before ratings were necessary, all gratuitous violence was subdued. It’s called using one’s imagination. Imagine that.
Still, it’s a wonderful story (if a bit overdone — think LOTR and various others), and I’m looking forward to seeing the latest film, which is still playing in theaters, at least for the time being.
On the Rat-O-Meter scale of five cheeses, I give The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian —
Happy Saturnday to you, fiends. I get the Js tonight and the Bears & Packers tomorrow. How about that for a weekend?
FO
I’ll be glad when Sunday is over… Bears… Packers… meh… can I safely say that people in this town are just stupid over football in general & having the Super Bowl here has dialed that up even more. Did you hear that they’re going to charge people $200/person just to stand around outside the stadium??? …and you KNOW people are gonna pay that…
Wonder what’s on HGTV? Or better yet: my new Boxee Box??!! LOL
xoxoxo
$200 to STAND OUTSIDE? And of course they’ll pay it. Members of my own family go to games to “tailgate” and never get in the stadium! Hopefully they don’t have to pay to park, but that’s not bloody likely.
Truthfully, I’m more excited about tomorrow’s game (Pack vs. Bears) than the Super Bowl any old day. That there’s a great rivalry, and all my people from Wisconsin and Illinois are saying that THAT is the game to watch, so the Super Bowl might be a letdown for me — unless, of course, someone absolutely obliterates the St*****s.
See ya later, Mr. Boxee Box!
boxee box, boxee box, boxee box….
I love to read so when the books are made into movies then i am almost scared to see them because I almost become one of the characters and I put faces with all the names and then to watch the movie is kind of disappointing. But I do enjoy Pricne Caspian
I did too, Hannah. And I know what you mean about assigning faces to the characters. I don’t know what I’m going to do if/when Dark Tower comes out and Sam Elliott isn’t playing Roland. (He’s way too old now, rats.)
What? No mention of the Steelers-Jets game! Ha! You have a terrific week-end in store.
I hate to admit it– though I’ve read much of C. S. Lewis, I’ve never read the “Chronicles of Narnia.” I did see the first movie, and your review motivates me to see this one too. Thanks for spurring me on.
RD! There is NO CURSING ON THIS BLOG. From now on, you must use asterisks (***) when uttering profanity, like so: ST*****S.
Go see the other Narnia films!!
Nice review Finkster. I never read the Narnia books so that wasn’t really a concern when I watched the first one. I thought the Lord of the Rings movies turned out well enough or were at least good enough in a different way that I didn’t have any problems with them. Harry Potter however….idk. I can’t watch the more recent ones without getting angry about something. I still haven’t seen 7 though.
Thanks, TH. I’ve seen HP7 twice, and I can tell you that it’s painfully obvious that they’re trying to tie up a hundred loose ends, and fast. But it didn’t seem all that rushed. (That probably doesn’t make much sense, but that’s the impression it left me with.)
The worst part for me was I know it’s all coming to an end.
Hey — we have an as-yet-unfulfilled cinema meet-up. How’s the second and third Sunday in February looking for you? A matinee, mayhap??