The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Official Discussion Thread

[DACrowe]

I think releasing it in the summer was a mistake. This would clean up much more in the November or December, really.

With that said I think it was a pretty good movie. I think it was more uneven than the first in pacing with a very slow beginning. But once it got going by the castle stealth attack it was more controlled and tighter than the first. I liked the tone and the ending, but it was good. Hope it does better with word of motuh and all.

Also I haven't read the other books do the kids come back and which ones, then?

 

[Movies205]

Perhaps with the competition upcoming it might get lost in the mix, but 200 million should be doable. Hell, Alvin and the Chipmunks made over 217 million, and it never was a no. 1 film at the BO and it only opened with 44 million. It had a huge week 3 though with a +3% over the previous weekend.

As you mention, being the only family movie out right now has a huge advantage.

The film isn't going to make 290 mil, like the first movie, but it will do well. It's hardly a flop. Golden Compass.....now there's a family film that flopped.

You're forgetting a key factor and that was that Alvin was released during the summer seasons hence could float on family legs. However it could still clear 200 mil, it really depends on the second weekend.

To DACrowe's question, I read the books a long time ago but the next one is with Edmond and Lucy on the Dawn Trader, its a ship and I absolutely hated that book.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Well, I just watched this film yesterday, and my mind is still racing over it. This movie is one of a very select few for me, in that I can honestly say I didn't find a single thing wrong with the film on any level. The characters, themes, and situations were all exemplary, and I loved every minute of "Narnia: Prince Caspian".

My main worry regarding this new chapter was that C.S. Lewis' spiritual views and messages would become watered down by the filmmakers, after more than one film. I'm pleased to report this is not the case. The movie treats evil as rightfully despicable, and good as honorable...yet no character seems unbalanced or overdone. The battle sequences were awesome, and the characters memorable. I'll definitely be seeing this again, before it leaves theaters.

one thing about the story did surprise me though...

Spoiler

Peter and Susan's departure.

I thought this happened much later in the chronicles, but it was still a great moment for all involved. Congrats to Disney, Walden, Andrew Adamson, and the cast and crew for another excellent film. Great job!!!

 

[BAT_WING]

Great film just as good as the first if not better!

iT even manged to bring a tear to my eye by the end . lol

Just one thing i missed . i wish Aslan had more time in the movie. but that just my own prefrence.

cant wait to see what the do with the next film.

i think ill have to dig out the old boxset i bought i still not watched them yet.


FOR NARNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Infinity9999x]

Well, I just watched this film yesterday, and my mind is still racing over it. This movie is one of a very select few for me, in that I can honestly say I didn't find a single thing wrong with the film on any level. The characters, themes, and situations were all exemplary, and I loved every minute of "Narnia: Prince Caspian".

My main worry regarding this new chapter was that C.S. Lewis' spiritual views and messages would become watered down by the filmmakers, after more than one film. I'm pleased to report this is not the case. The movie treats evil as rightfully despicable, and good as honorable...yet no character seems unbalanced or overdone. The battle sequences were awesome, and the characters memorable. I'll definitely be seeing this again, before it leaves theaters.

one thing about the story did surprise me though...

Spoiler

Peter and Susan's departure.

I thought this happened much later in the chronicles, but it was still a great moment for all involved. Congrats to Disney, Walden, Andrew Adamson, and the cast and crew for another excellent film. Great job!!!

In regards to your spoiler

Spoiler

no it's accurate, Peter and Susan couldn't come back after Prince Caspian

I also liked the movie, it was pretty accurate to the book, though the whole castle siege was made up, as well as the Susan/Caspain connection, but movies always take some liberties.

The one thing I have to say, and I wouldn't really call this a criticism because I don't think any Narnia movie could do it, is that they never captured the aura Aslan has in the books.

In the books they say multiple times "he is not a tame Lion." He gives you the sense of an immensely powerful wild animal. When Lucy ran up and hugged him twice, it wasn't exactly book accurate. Once would have been alright, but I remember reading (and this could have been in the next story) that at one point when Lucy met Aslan she desperately wanted to run up and hug him but felt it wouldn't be right. He only lets you do that kind of thing sometimes, you can't do it too much.

They made him a bit more friendly then he was in the books. Now I'm not saying that he's not friendly at all, but at some times he's more aloof. It's hard to explain it, but then again, that's why I'll always prefer the books.

 

[Octoberist]

I saw Caspian!

And I give it a 7 (C).

The first hour was so awkwardly done. I know that I don't want to be spoon fed everything but I thought it was too abrupt. Too vague on what's going on. You know what has happen, but it was presented properly.

The second hour was more enjoyable, but damn, this movie should've been PG 13. There is no question in my mind that this is ONE violent movie for kids.

Overall, Caspian was enjoyable but deeply flawed. I do miss the lighter tones from the first film, along whatever heart it had.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

I also liked the movie, it was pretty accurate to the book, though the whole castle siege was made up, as well as the Susan/Caspain connection, but movies always take some liberties.

I haven't read the books in quite a few years, but I'm glad the film retained much of what I recall reading about.

In the books they say multiple times "he is not a tame Lion." He gives you the sense of an immensely powerful wild animal. When Lucy ran up and hugged him twice, it wasn't exactly book accurate. Once would have been alright, but I remember reading (and this could have been in the next story) that at one point when Lucy met Aslan she desperately wanted to run up and hug him but felt it wouldn't be right. He only lets you do that kind of thing sometimes, you can't do it too much.

Just my opinion here, but I think director Adamson was trying to balance both sides of Aslan's personality. With any character, if you make them too forthright, they can come off as outright cruel. Meanwhile, if you make them too light, they seem almost weak. With a character like Aslan (which author C.S. Lewis clearly based on Jesus Christ), you're dealing with someone who knows vastly more than anyone else in this story, and his actions mirror that. One of my fave lines from this film was when Peter mentions his lack of faith, and Aslan reassures him with, "That is precisely why I know you do have it." I also loved his line to Lucy: "Nothing ever happens the same way twice". the latter was odd though, seeing as how he said it on two different occasions.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Didn't see the movie, probably gonna wait till DVD, the opening weekend doesn't surprise me though, Prince Caspien isn't as well known of a chapter in Narnia as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, plus being released in the summer, fantasy movies seem better suited for winter. Also, when you have Harry Potter getting darker and more seems to be at stake, Prince Caspien seems fairly tame by comparasion, I think it's the flaw in CS Lewis books, they don't really evolve or become more mature, the stakes are high, but don't always feel that way.

 

[Spider-Bat]

I saw it yesterday, and it was too long and too boring. I don't mind long movies if they're worth watching and good to watch so you don't notice the time, but this was crap.

I never liked the book much, not the best of Fantasy, but I was hoping the movie might be alright. But nope!

I didn't mind the first book and movie, but the rest sucked. Same goes for the films I guess. I liked the Magician's Nephew also along with The lion, the witch and the wardrobe but the rest is dull.

At least this movie was boring. Really a let down.

Nothing but short jokes about Dwarves and the Mouse, just same old predictable Hollywood puke thrown up again.

 

[Matt]

The allegory got on my nerves once again. I don't mind the allegory, but the way the film makers spoon feed it. A little subtlety would go a LONG way in this franchise.

 

[dogwonder78]

I not only loved this one and found it even better than the last (which I didn't even think was possible), but I also loved the added humor and lighthearted comments and jokes in this one. I felt like this movie followed the story very accurately, especially considering it is a short story. In my opinion, the movie went into more detail, which really took the reader well into the world of Narnia.

I think they released it at a perfect time. I know fans like me were getting anxious and if they would have waiting until Dec 2008, the movie would have just been too hyped up. My attention was grabbed by the movie right from the beginning, when it was over I wanted to story to continue.

 

[MattBearPig]

The allegory got on my nerves once again. I don't mind the allegory, but the way the film makers spoon feed it. A little subtlety would go a LONG way in this franchise.

Agreed.

 

[TheBlueMcCoy82]

I thought it was very good. I am a big fan of the original stories and grew up reading them. I thought this movie was better than the last. I didnt think I was going to like this one more, but I do.

And yes the lighthearted humor was great I thought. My favorite scene being when Lucy calls the mouse cute, and he turns around mad and says "WHO SAID THAT?!" lol

 

[Venomfan]

one thing i don't quite understand, a lot of people have complained about the first Narnia and this one as well as having too much Christian undertones and allegory, but i don't get why its a complaint. Everyone knows going in that CS Lewis wrote these books purposly like that, why do people expect all of that stuff to be cut out of the movie? We all want book adaptations to be faithful to the source

 

[Downhere]

one thing i don't quite understand, a lot of people have complained about the first Narnia and this one as well as having too much Christian undertones and allegory, but i don't get why its a complaint. Everyone knows going in that CS Lewis wrote these books purposly like that, why do people expect all of that stuff to be cut out of the movie? We all want book adaptations to be faithful to the source

Yeah, I agree. I'm not understanding the complaints about the allegorical content. It's C.S. Lewis, everyone should know going in what to expect. I, for one, love that the film makers have kept the allegorical content intact. There are so many movies out there on the opposite end for those who don't like allegorical stories. Why must a story that was meant to be allegorical be changed just for those who don't like that sort of thing?

 

[pyromaniac]

He wrote his books as supposition, actually.

 

[Matt]

one thing i don't quite understand, a lot of people have complained about the first Narnia and this one as well as having too much Christian undertones and allegory, but i don't get why its a complaint. Everyone knows going in that CS Lewis wrote these books purposly like that, why do people expect all of that stuff to be cut out of the movie? We all want book adaptations to be faithful to the source

Yeah, I agree. I'm not understanding the complaints about the allegorical content. It's C.S. Lewis, everyone should know going in what to expect. I, for one, love that the film makers have kept the allegorical content intact. There are so many movies out there on the opposite end for those who don't like allegorical stories. Why must a story that was meant to be allegorical be changed just for those who don't like that sort of thing?

Its not the allegory that bothers me. It is the way the film makers handle the allegory. There is absolutely no subtlety at all. It is just crammed down your throat from the get go and never lets up. Lines like "Maybe we have to prove ourselves to him," and "Why didn't you have faith in me?" We get it, Aslan is supposed to be God. Do you have to be so obvious? A little subtlety goes a long way.

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

just saw it. I liked it more than the first. Personally hope it has many sequels. way more fun than POTTER

 

[블라스]

I found the first one so boring, but I want to see that fencing mouse so bad

 

[Lord Blackbolt]

the mouse was bad ass. He took out like over 6 guys himself.

 

[Movies205]

Its not the allegory that bothers me. It is the way the film makers handle the allegory. There is absolutely no subtlety at all. It is just crammed down your throat from the get go and never lets up. Lines like "Maybe we have to prove ourselves to him," and "Why didn't you have faith in me?" We get it, Aslan is supposed to be God. Do you have to be so obvious? A little subtlety goes a long way.

I disagree with you here and its for two reasons. The first is the aforemention which is that this is not Lord of the Rings where the film-makers intentionally are changing the story to echo western-christian values, this is how the book is. Have you read the books? They're far from subtle, I mean if you have a problem with that then your entitled to that but it is unfair to blame the film-makers for that when its basically stated up front what this story is about. Secondly, it doesn't subtract from the story at all and if anything makes it more poignant. When Lucy asks Aslan why he hasn't come to save them like before, okay its obviously an illusion to God but on the same token if you knew nothing about God, it still makes perfect sense within the context of the story. I feel as if this is they type of complaint that you're justify to have but you really shouldn't expect the movies to be any different than they are since it comes with the territory.

 

[Venomfan]

Its not the allegory that bothers me. It is the way the film makers handle the allegory. There is absolutely no subtlety at all. It is just crammed down your throat from the get go and never lets up. Lines like "Maybe we have to prove ourselves to him," and "Why didn't you have faith in me?" We get it, Aslan is supposed to be God. Do you have to be so obvious? A little subtlety goes a long way.

but the movies are way more suble than the books that they are based on, so if anything the complaint should be that they are too subtle

 

[The Chris]

I think releasing it in the summer was a mistake. This would clean up much more in the November or December, really.

With that said I think it was a pretty good movie. I think it was more uneven than the first in pacing with a very slow beginning. But once it got going by the castle stealth attack it was more controlled and tighter than the first. I liked the tone and the ending, but it was good. Hope it does better with word of motuh and all.

Also I haven't read the other books do the kids come back and which ones, then?

Maybe they didn't want to release near Harry Potter and the Half Bloo Prince.

 

[Lighthouse]

but the movies are way more suble than the books that they are based on, so if anything the complaint should be that they are too subtle

This is true. One of the reasons Tolkien hated the Narnia books was because of they were as subtle as a hammer.

 

[Infinity9999x]

This is true. One of the reasons Tolkien hated the Narnia books was because of they were as subtle as a hammer.

That's strange, seeing as how Tolkien and Lewis were friends. I know Tolkien disliked how Lewis combined many forms of mythical creatures into it's world (hence him making the comment that Narnia was a "mismash of a world") but I've never read anywhere that he hated them.

Its not the allegory that bothers me. It is the way the film makers handle the allegory. There is absolutely no subtlety at all. It is just crammed down your throat from the get go and never lets up. Lines like "Maybe we have to prove ourselves to him," and "Why didn't you have faith in me?" We get it, Aslan is supposed to be God. Do you have to be so obvious? A little subtlety goes a long way.

Well, the books were never subtle either, really they were just as blunt, if not more so, then the movie was. I don't think Lewis wanted them to be subtle.