Product: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Two Disc Edition + BD-Live) [Blu-ray] (2008)
Rating: 1.0
Mutilation
C. S. Lewis was one of the greatest writers and storytellers of the twentieth century, whose work could not have been improved upon. However, this is just what the makers of this film have unsuccessfully tried to do. Abbreviation is understandable and often necessary, but the filmmakers have seemingly abandoned much of what makes this story distinctive. For example, Lewis's Caspian - truly brave and noble despite his inexperience and misgivings - is turned into a stubborn, rash, and rather petty young man (an inappropriate portrayal of what is commonly thought of as modern teenage angst?). In the book, Peter assures Caspian that he (Peter) hasn't returned to take Caspian's throne, but to restore Caspian to it, and that is that. In the film, we get a lot of petty squabbling before the question is settled. Of course the love interest between Caspian and Susan is quite out of place and ridiculous. In the book, Aslan is guiding the whole affair even though he appears only half-way through. In the film, the lion doesn't really appear until the near the end, and we do not get the feeling that he is really in control of events the whole time (this is an idea that Lewis presents more clearly in The Horse and His Boy, but it is present in this book as well) We get the sense that the characters are sort of left to their own devices. Some of Lewis's beautifully rich statements are conspicuously absent, in favor of some rather cliched one-liners...it seems the filmmakers are assiduously avoiding much of the philosophical underpinnings of this story. To be quite honest, if it is necessary to do so, I, for one, would rather they find their source material elsewhere. I'm sure there are many appropriate subjects for an action/war/fantasy movie out that will satisfy moviegoers without damaging many people's concept of such a great work of fiction.And they left out the dancing trees. That was one of my favorite parts and they left it out.