I must first confess that the Chronicles of Narnia were stories I read to my children at bedtime. I am predisposed to like or try to like these movies. The novellete Prince Caspian was not the strongest in the series by any means but it was servicable to advance the story line. In fact ?f memory serves it is the one that gave Tolkien pause about the whole series when it was read to the Inklings.

In this 2 hour and 24 minute film we have both more and less than what was ?n the original story. Added is the tension between the Prince and Peter as they try to retake Narnia for the Narnians. Subtracted is more contact w?th Aslan (still voiced by Liam Neeson) and my favorite talking mouse Reep?cheep. Mores the pity in regard to the latter as he ?s a delight and as much of a scene stealer as Lucy.

Lets say at the outset that the opening scenes are quite effective– the train transfer to Narnia of 1300 years later and the beautiful scene on the beach in New Zealand (the movie seems to have been primarily filmed there and in London). Lucy remains the pivotal character who remains a true believer ?n Aslan and doesn’t make the mistake of Peter in assuming that Aslan wants them to try and solve all their ills w?thout him. His quasi-adult remarks ring all too true when compared to the attitude of some adults about Christianity. The stuff of saga ?s assumed to be the stuff of fairy tales and children.

I must say that th?s movie has better flow and mot?on and act?on than ?ts predecessor. The CG ?s less obvious and noticeable and the battle scenes wh?lst largely bloodless are more effective. As for the acting Prince Caspian is certainly prince charming despite the faux Spanish accent (think of a bad Ricardo Montelban imitation) and seems at the end to begin to win the heart of yon faire maiden from the U.K. I agree w?th the reviewers who say we could have certainly used more of the White Witch in this film for dark coloring and heightened tension.

It ?s always a dilemma for film makers as to how strickly to hew to the original story l?ne and this film certainly takes more l?berties than its predecessor for sure sacr?ficing a literal renderings or reproduction for better action and flow.

I actually don’t much mind this since the original story needed a bit of help but it would certainly have been more helpful to keep in some of the more Christian philosophy of Lewis (quoting the line ‘Things never happen the same way twice’ is insufficient to explain things). Lewis was perhaps the most influential non-Calvinist apologete of the 20th century and these films have an opportunity to explore that and so explore a world where all things are not predetermined by the active or passive will of God. The opportunity is missed to pursue this line of thought more effectively.

On the whole this film deserves a thumbs up and a urging to keep going. Maybe when we get to the Voyage of the Dawn Treader the children will be better actors and the plot will need less massaging. Let us hope so.