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Prince Caspian, played by Ben Barnes, with his new sidekicks |
Fab four return in kids’ fantasy world favourite
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN
Directed by Andrew Adamson
Certificate PG
CS Lewis’s books have earned their place in the pantheon of children’s literature, enchanting generations of young readers. But, I fear, despite the highly polished production, very watchable special effects and a slick pace to jolly you along, Disney’s adaptations fail to grasp what makes the books stand out. They are cute rather than quirky and this second instalment in the seven Narnia stories is regular in style, meaning it fails to stand out from other fantasy adventures.
I’m not a fan of the Narnia series and so, perhaps, have a jaundiced view. Andrew Adamson has no doubt produced a film of sufficient quality to allow the group this slick film is aimed at to enjoy themselves. But it lacks a strong plot thread, despite Lewis using the book to tidy up much of the mythology about the world he created.
It makes for some stodgy moments, although I imagine Narnia fans will find this aspect enthralling.
Our young heroes, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan find themselves back in Narnia and embroiled in some monarchial intrigues. With the help of Aslan, their mission is to do battle once more for the forces of good to defeat evil.
Prince Caspian, the heir to the throne, is under threat from the evil King Miraz, Caspian’s uncle who killed his dad to claim the throne.
Caspian has escaped and with the help of the four youngsters and a host of creatures – Reepicheep the mouse, a badger called Trufflehunter and the sidekick dwarf called Trumpkin – he has to avenge his father’s death and reclaim his birthright.
This crusading is all well and good but, as with fantasy world adventures, there is a tendency for grating cod-Shakespearean language and some unconvincing performances from the leading actors, who are often usurped by the more cranky animals they star alongside. |
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