Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
The best of the three, but is that saying much?
Photo: 20th Century Fox
The Chronicles of Narnia films have managed to dumbfound me. Upon seeing The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe back in 2005 I didn't mind it at first, but a couple of follow-up viewings left me bored and disinterested. Going into Prince Caspian a few years later my expectations were low and I actually came out of the theater mildly entertained, but ever since I haven't been able to sit through it again. This makes me wonder if my current feelings toward The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader can be trusted or if I will have to eat my words should I ever decide to watch it again.
The cast includes Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Will Poulter and Bill Nighy. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is a 20th Century Fox release, directed by Michael Apted and is rated PG for some frightening images and sequences of fantasy action. The running time is 1 hour 52 minutes.
This time around we are only following the story of two of the Pevensie children from the first two films — Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) — as they find themselves thrown back into Narnia and rescued at sea by Caspian played by Ben Barnes reprising his role as the now King of Narnia. However, while Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Peter Pevensie (William Moseley) are limited to only cameo appearances, a new face joins Edmund and Lucy on their journey in the form of their loud mouthed and obnoxious cousin Eustace, played with a welcome bit of energy by Will Poulter.
The story of Dawn Treader finds our heroes enjoying what is assumed to be peace in Narnia for the first time, but it isn't long before word of an evil mist originating from a dark island captures their attention. In order to defeat the evil they must gather the seven lost swords of the seven lords previously banished by Caspian's evil uncle. It's a fairly out-of-the-blue narrative that doesn't really make much sense in the way it all comes together, but it gives good excuse for sending our cast of characters from fantastical island to fantastical island where they deal with all sorts of magic and mysterious creatures. And considering they have seven items to collect it gives them more than enough to do in the 112 minutes of running time, limiting the number of garrulous ramblings prone to infect a film that wants to be more epic than it really is.
From dragons to sea monsters, the effects here are quite impressive and like Disney's Alice in Wonderland, this is another post-converted 3D feature that, at times, loses any depth the 3D may otherwise offer, but at other times does a fair job in its conversion. It's certainly better than the efforts made with Clash of the Titans and The Last Airbender, though I would never say this is a film worth shelling out the extra dollars for the visual gimmick.
Where I found most interest in Dawn Treader and where I suspect families will find the most enjoyment is in the relative understanding of growing up. The Pevensie children have reached an age where they need to move beyond Narnia in contrast to their younger cousin Eustace. The difference in age and experience with these three characters is well represented. There are plenty of morals to be found and while they stick out like a sore thumb for older viewers they may have just enough subtlety for younger audiences, and it seems Fox hasn't tried one bit to shy away from this fact.
Throughout the film Lucy's self-esteem is lacking, Edmund's looking to prove something and Eustace has his own set of issues to deal with. Tack onto that the film's religious aspects that have been existent since the cracking of the stone slab in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and you have a film that may polarize audiences disinterested in being taught morals in their late year blockbuster fare.
Beyond the morals of the story and the action sequences I can honestly say I didn't mind the near two hours I spent watching The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I'll admit I wouldn't rush out to see it again and don't have much interest in catching it at home on Blu-ray, but it's a perfectly fine story that finally seems to have learned the lesson the first two films struggled with; the fact you can't force a film into being epic just by making it a half hour longer.
Links from Other Sites You May Like
Showing 16 Comments
~ PLEASE NOTE ~
If, in any way, your comment is an attack on the author of this post or a previous commenter, your comment will be deleted without question.
Add a New Comment |
Click to Read Our Commenting Rules & Guidelines
Hey Brad,
Of all your posts that I've read, I guess this is the first time I opine as opposed to you. I found the 3rd part of the series the one which makes less sense (to me at least).
First thing, 3D was not at all required nor was up to the mark. Second, the story failed to grab much attention. Me and my peers all feel the same. At given time, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be the best for me out of the three…..
Obviously, we can't compare these to the masterpiece like LOTR
I really enjoyed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!!! Grrr!!
Hey Brad! I have not seen this yet but I was wondering about how your grading. Back when Prince Caspian was released in 2008, you gave it a graded of B. Yet with this one, you give it a lower grade of B – and say that it is the best of the three…explain!
I did explain that… in the first paragraph. Remember, reading is your friend.
God i love you, you are by far my favorite critic. Even if sometimes you make me a little angry. Other than that i have mostly agreed with what you have said. =)Also i promote your site like a obsessed person. =D Keep up the awesomeness.
I think it is a breath of fresh air for a film to try to teach someone morals instead of ramming the homosexual agenda down our throats like more and more films are trying to do. Cheers to Fox for not abandoning C.S. Lewis' true subject and vision of his books. Maybe young adults and children can learn from these films.
Homosexual agenda? Really? Grow up.
open your eyes
I hate to say this but……I think I'll wait for the DVD.
(SIGH)
I actually found it to be pretty good…The actors did a good job, the story was interesting, and the effects were amazing…They managed to create some truly magical images so yeah…I think its the best or second best of the series
These plot driven films are low on rewatchability. I actually bought The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe on DVD, but soon gave it away because it suffers on repeated viewings. Each scene in a movie should be it's own interesting vignette for maximum rewatchability.
This series is so much better than LOTR or Harry Potter. This one is based on the best book so it makes sense it would be the best.
did you not notice caspians change in accent?? hahaha terrible movie. i just walked out on it. i cant believe you gave it a b-
In the 2nd film Caspian was mainly raised and was around Telmarines for all of his life. The producers decided that the Telmarines would have a Spanish-eqsue accent, so of course Caspian being around them all of his life he of course had it too. But in the end SPOILER the Telmarines left Narnia, and he mainly was around with Narnians who never had a thick foreign accent. So of course after 3 years his accent softened, and after a while disappeared. Think a bit before you pan a film
I don't mind a moral movie at all. With all the trash that Hollywood spews out these days, a decent, morally-sound, fun family film is welcome.
Great movie with a great message. Fits in well with the other two. Nice change from all other filth hollywood puts out for children. This and Tangled is a pleasant change from the norm.