"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

Title: "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

Director: Andrew Adamson
Producer: Andrew Adamson, Perry Moore, Douglas Gresham
Editing: Sim Evan-Jones
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Starring:
- William Moseley as Peter Pevensie
- Anna Poppelwell as Susan Pevensie
- Skander Keynes as Edmund Pevensie
- George Henely as Lucy Pevensie
- Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian
- Sergio Castellitto as King Miraz
- Liam Neeson as The Voice of Aslan the Lion

Plot and Critical Review: (Per Wikipedia) 1,300 years after the Pevensie siblings leave Narnia, a Telmarine prince, Caspian, is awakened by his mentor Doctor Cornelius, informing him that his aunt has just given birth to a son and that his life is now in grave danger. Cornelius gives him Queen Susan's ancient magical horn and instructs him to use it if he is in dire need of help. Knowing that his Uncle Miraz would kill him in order to steal the kingship that is rightfully Caspian's, he flees. Chased into the woods by General Glozelle and several Telmarine soldiers, Caspian falls off his horse and is knocked unconscious, regaining consciousness under the care of two Narnian dwarfs, Trumpkin and Nikabrik, and a talking badger named Trufflehunter. While Trumpkin acts as a decoy, Nikabrik saves Caspian from capture. In the confusion, and not knowing the dwarfs are trying to help him, Caspian blows the magical horn to summon help.

In England, one year has passed since the Pevensie children returned from Narnia. They are first seen waiting at the Strand tube station for their train to boarding school. As the train pulls in, the station collapses and the Pevensies are transported back to Narnia. There they discover the ruins of their castle, Cair Paravel, and realizing it had been attacked in their absence, they set out to find out why.

In the Telmarine castle, the lords of the council find out that Prince Caspian is gone. Lord Sopespian blames Miraz, but Miraz and General Glozelle show them Trumpkin. Miraz blames the Narnians and tell the lords to fight them to get Caspian back, though Miraz actually wants to kill Caspian.

The Pevensies save Trumpkin from being drowned by two Telmarines; he quickly realizes that the four children are the Kings and Queens of Old and they all continue on together. On the way, Lucy glimpses Aslan and tries to convince the others that she's seen him, but only Edmund believes her.

Meanwhile, Nikabrik and Trufflehunter lead Caspian to the Dancing Lawn, where the old Narnians have assembled, including the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep, and a large number of dwarves, giants, centaurs, fauns, minotaurs, and talking animals. There, Caspian convinces the Narnians to help him win his throne so that he can give them back their land. Caspian and the Narnians steal a number of weapons from the Telmarines. Caspian and his troops encounter the Pevensies and Trumpkin; they all journey together to Aslan's How, a huge barrow built over the Stone Table. From there, Peter decides that they will attack Miraz's castle. Lucy suggests waiting for Aslan to give instructions, but Peter thinks they have waited for Aslan long enough.

The Narnians succeed in raiding Miraz’s castle, but Peter calls for a retreat when he realizes that they are being overwhelmed by Telmarine soldiers and if they keep fighting they will all be killed. Peter, Susan, Edmund, Caspian, and half of the Narnians manage to escape, but the rest are trapped and slaughtered. When they get back to Aslan's How, Peter and Caspian, who are both feeling guilty and upset over the loss of half their soldiers, have an argument about the attack on the castle, which almost culminates in a swordfight. Back at the castle, the councilmen and lords decide to crown Miraz King of Narnia.

Later, Nikabrik, with aid of a hag and a werewolf, tells Caspian that they can help him claim his throne and guarantee Miraz's death. However Nikabrik tricks Caspian and the hag then uses black sorcery to summon the White Witch, and from inside a wall of ice, the Witch tries to convince Caspian to give her a drop of his blood so that she may be free. Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Trumpkin promptly arrive and kill Nikabrik, the werewolf, and the hag, and Edmund shatters the wall of ice before the Witch can be freed.

As Miraz and his army arrive at Aslan's How, Caspian suggests that Peter and Miraz duel one-on-one under the condition of surrender, in order to buy Lucy and Susan time to find Aslan. Miraz accepts, as it would look cowardly to refuse to fight a boy half his age. Susan and Lucy are chased by Telmarine soldiers during their search; Susan sends Lucy off and remains behind to deal with the soldiers, but she is rescued by Caspian and the two return to the battle. Peter is able to wound Miraz, but gives his sword to Caspian to finish him off. Caspian, who cannot bring himself to do it, spares Miraz's life but says that he intends to give Narnia back to its people.

Lord Sopespian suddenly stabs and kills Miraz with one of Susan's arrows and accuses the Narnians of shooting Miraz. General Glozelle and Lord Sopespian then lead the Telmarines. The Telmarine cavalry charges while the troops use their catapults against Aslan's How. The Narnians try several tactics, including collapsing underground halls beneath the advancing Telmarine army and sending griffins overhead with archers in their claws. Finally in a desperate move, they charge head on. Lucy, meanwhile, finds Aslan in the woods and he awakens the trees that have long been in a deep sleep. The tide of battle quickly turns as the trees join in attacking the Telmarines. Lord Sopespian orders retreat to a bridge, where they are confronted by Lucy and Aslan. Aslan summons the river god, who destroys the bridge and wipes out the majority of the Telmarine army. The river god then eats Lord Sopespian. The battle is won with the surviving Telmarine soldiers surrendering and handing over their weapons.

Before the Pevensies depart, Peter and Susan declare, much to Caspian, Edmund, and Lucy's dismay, that Aslan has told them they will never return to Narnia. Aslan explains that Susan and Peter have gained everything they could possibly gain from their experiences in Narnia and are no longer needed there. Susan and Caspian share a kiss, knowing they will never meet again. The Pevensies then go back to England, leaving Caspian as King of Narnia.

"Prince Caspian" is decidedly darker than the first film in the "Chronicles..." series. It was met with mixed reviews (averaging a 55-60% rating from viewers) as it dealt much more with action and adventure than with character-based drama. Adamson, who returned as director, believed that the action would serve as drama, or in the place of it, perhaps. While his sentiment is conducive to his own vision it justifies taking the film in a direction altogether different than that of the novel (which ought not have too much weight here) and very contrary to the spirit of the Narnian tale.

Unlike the first Narnia film which made us sit through an hour of base (but beautiful) winter scenery, "Prince Caspian" happens in a time when Narnia is grown over with wildlife and rich in color. Even though the tone of the film is somber as the children rediscover their beloved kingdom the use of brighter colors Due to the success of the first film "Caspian's" budget was increased and Adamson was able to make greater use of special effects, develop more intricate set pieces, and cast additional extras so as to film more convincing battle scenes.


My Rating: 6/10


The "Reel Revelation": "Deep Magic - Part 2"

"Feels like magic" are the simple words Susan speaks to her brothers and sister just before they are pulled from the tube train station into the land of Narnia. Susan offered this observation after experiencing a "pinching" feeling; a sort of herald that the Magic of Aslan was nearby. Here we can be certain that she is speaking of the greater Magic, the Deep Magic. As we learned in "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" that Magic is capable of doing great things, including bringing Aslan back from the dead. As the "Caspian" unfolds we discover that even the slightest trace of the Deep Magic is difficult to find.

Have you ever felt like that; able to detect only a trace of deeper goodness in this world? I don't mean when you just happen to witness someone perform a random act of kindness or the fuzzy feeling you get when someone tells you how nice you look. I mean a true sense of the deep "Magic" that coarses through all things but has, for whatever reason, been pushed, pulled, cut, and bled out of our world. This Magic is not magic at all, for it is not at the whim and command of one person - a magician. This power, this force, this great influence is the presence of God moving in and through our world. While no one can push God out of our world many have done everything within their power (and what weak power they posess) to remove God's divine influence.

'But isn't this "deeper magic" (God's presence) controlled by God himself?' That certainly seems a good question and one that ought to be easy to answer. It is God's presence, after all, right? So the only practical answer would be that, yes, it is all under God's control. But God send the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of everyone who would believe that Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit enables us to do many things for the glory of God; things that can only be accomplished through the Magic that we "use" in God's name. Alongside acts of charity (helping Grandma across the street) and encouraging others ('my, you look nice today!') the Holy Spirit equips and empowers us to do deeds that are much greater, indeed, than the shallow kindnesses performed by those who rely alone on the general "magic" and charity of the world.

Do you remember the supposed situation of "chasing a feeling" presented in yesterday's "Reel Revelation"? In this world we can chase after emotions and experiences forever without ever finding ourselves satisfied; some people spend their whole lives in this sort of fruitless pursuit. The Presence of God, however, will satisfy us completley as in God's presence we will want for nothing. In addition we will find that if we chase after God we will not be chasing after a simple emotion, but the touch of the Lord of Lords. As pleasing as many of the worldly encounters we entertain might be, none of them will ever compare to knowing God and enjoying communion with him.

It is of the utmost importance that we look with trained eyes and wise hearts to discover where the presence of God is active in our world. When we find where God is moving and pursue God there we will not be left disappointed. Lent is an ideal time to focus our hearts and learn how to see God's presence (the Deep Magic) in the world as we devote ourselves to the love of God as we look upon Jesus who died that all might come into true communion with the deepest Magic of all, the love of God.

See you tomorrow - E.T.