Product: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Two Disc Edition + BD-Live) [Blu-ray] (2008)
Rating: 4.0
A Good Disc For a Good Sequel
I just finished watching Prince Caspian for the second time and enjoyed it just about as much as the first as the dvd doesn't disappoint.Prince Caspian picks up many years after the events of the first Narnia and many things have changed indeed. Humans have taken over Narnia and run off all the creatures and magical beings, leaving the land in a darkened and dreary state. Prince Caspian is heir to the throne but is threatened by his uncle who has been coveting it for himself and his newborn son. Caspian must flee to the forest to save any hope for his future rule and the Narnian's whom he's only thought to be myths and legends up until now. The children from the first Narnia are somewhat accidentally but fortunately summoned back to a very different land than they left which is in desperate need of their help. Conflict ensues between all these characters who are all at once thrown together but eventually find a common ground against a common foe. Can the Prince survive to take hold of his royal birthright? What of the returning kings and queens of old, where will they fit in to this land that used to be their own? Will Alsan the Lion return to help save what's left of the few remaining Narnian's and help them gain their stolen freedom?It's a much more mature and serious film than the first one. I still like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, but Prince Caspian does what a sequel should by upping the ante and increasing the intesity. I was very suprised at the overall dark and bleak tone of the film. You really get a sense of gloom that's darkened what used to be a vibrant and colorful Narnia. I thought all the characters and voice acting was excellent. Nothing about this felt childish or remedial. This one works on all levels and makes for a perfect family movie as it has something for everyone without straying too far in one directon or the other. A perfect balance is struck for everyone to find something they like. We're introduced to many new characters but we're not overwhelmed where we have to try to keep up so as to not get lost later in the film. That seems to be something that many films have fumbled with but Prince Caspian is easy to follow and the story stays focused. There are many wonderful action and battle scenes that toe the line perfectly as they're serious but not gruesome or gory. The landscapes are gorgeous as they're all shot on location and the CGI characters blend in well, are very detailed but not distracting. Prince Caspian accomplished something that many films can't or don't bother to by taking us to a beautiful far away land that'll stick with you and make you want to go back after it's ended. That's a real testament in movie making. I had a great time in Narnia and look forward to going back again.There are a few things here and there that you could nit pick at if you wanted to but you'd only ruin a good time for yourself. Besides, it's a fantasy film so it should be allowed some more liberties than most movie genres. I had to remind myself of that when I caught a few things that stretched reality, but then I told my brain to shut up and just enjoy it and I did.The video on the disc is clean and clear of any specks or dirt. The day scenes are bright and colorful and the night scenes were fairly dark but not to the point where I found it difficult at all to keep up with what was going on. You can turn the lights down without turning them off and be fine. There are quite a few of the night scenes so it's good they were'nt nearly as bad as I've seen on alot of films. The detail was ok, if a little soft at times but everything was discernable. They could've probably done better but what's here is just fine. The DD 5.1 mix is excellent. The speech, orchestral score and sound effects were perfectly balanced and very involving. The action scenes never got too loud to where you felt you needed to turn it down, nor the quiet talking to where you needed to turn it up. There are also some great sound effects from wind, leaves, water, creature noises and the clashing and clanging of armored battle. I also picked up some discrete rumbling and low bass during calmer moments that caught me off guard but were a nice suprise.Prince Caspian is a very well done movie for all ages and all I can think is what a good thing that is. In these days of raunchy comedies, swear filled action movies, gory horror movies and sex scenes in just about everything, it's refreshing to see an innocent and well done live action(mostly) movie for the whole family to be able to sit and enjoy together. I hope more movie studios catch on to this and give families more reasons to go back to the movies together. Don't miss this one.