Running time: 147 minutes
Starring: William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Ben Barnes, Peter Dinklage, Sergio Castellitto, Liam Neeson
Rating 8 out of 10
From its more sinister opening to its more whimsical ending, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is all that made The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe so entertaining, and more. There is more humour. A lot more. More drama. More romance. More excitement. With the outcome being that director Andrew Adamson has created a film that's infinitely more fun for both adults and kids. Being the second in C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, Prince Caspian benefits from audience's familiarity with both the characters and the story. It means less time is required to set things up as it launches straight in with the pained scream of a woman giving birth. The resulting baby boy is the son of King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), leader of the Telmarines who, centuries before, wiped out all but a few Narnians, who are now forced to live in the nearby forest. The baby's path to the throne is blocked by the rightful heir to the throne, Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes). Fearing for his life at the hands of his evil uncle Miraz, Caspian flees, taking with him only a horn that he's been told will summon the Narnian kings and queens of old.
Chased into the forest by Miraz's men, Caspian blows the horn, triggering events 1300 years in the future where the Pevensie children prepare to board a tube train at the Strand. Instead Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Ketnes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) find themselves on a tropical beach in Narnia wondering why they have been brought back. Amongst the strange creatures they meet is the diminutive Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage) who warns them, "You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember."
Caspian joins his onetime enemies the Narnians who together plan to overthrow Miraz and reclaim Narnia. Their forces are bolstered by the arrival of the Pevensies, although Caspian is understandably a little surprised to discover the past kings and queens of Narnia turn out to be four schoolchildren from Finchley. "I expected you to be older," he exclaims. Despite his surprise Caspian - sporting model good looks, an inexplicable but seductive Italian accent and silken dark locks better suited to a shampoo commercial - exchanges a knowing glance with Susan,
In addition to the spectacular Narnian landscape, the film has some impressive set pieces. The battle sequences are a wondrous blend of the mythical and Biblical, with the godlike Aslan (voiced in hushed, deliberate tones by Liam Neeson) representing the books' religious subtext. Offsetting the drama are the generous portions of humour, many of which are provided by the droll Trumpkin and the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep (voiced extravagantly by Eddie Izzard).
Adamson, who co-wrote the screenplay, imbues Prince Caspian with much the same wit and exuberance he brought to Shrek, adding a welcome contemporary sheen to Lewis' tale. At nearly two and half hours, it's a long tale, but one that is continually full of surprises and enjoyment.
Kevin Murphy
