This film is a more of an action flick than the first, but there is still enough of the magic of Narnia to ensure the success of the franchise will continue.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:177
Fresh:117
Rotten:60
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is an entertaining family adventure worthy of the standard set by its predecessor.
Runtime: 2 hrs 29 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
US Box Office: $141,614,023
Synopsis: Based on the second novel in C.S. Lewis's beloved CHRONICLES OF NARNIA series, PRINCE CASPIAN finds the four Pevensie children--Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar... Based on the second novel in C.S. Lewis's beloved CHRONICLES OF NARNIA series, PRINCE CASPIAN finds the four Pevensie children--Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy (Georgie Henley)--once again whisked away from WWII-era England into the realm of Narnia, where the siblings once ruled as royalty. However, the Pevensies soon discover that 1,300 years have passed since they left, and the world is now controlled by the Telmarines, humans who long ago banished the magical creatures of Narnia to the wilderness. When the heir to the Telmarine throne, Caspian (Ben Barnes), survives an assassination attempt plotted by his scheming uncle, Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), the noble youth stumbles across Narnia's exiled enchanted population, and decides to lead them in an uprising, aided by Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Considerably darker and more action-packed than THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, this 2008 sequel, once again directed by Andrew Adamson, is driven by the struggle between the Telmarines and the banished Narnians, resulting in many fierce battle sequences. While the newcomer Barnes and the established quartet of Moseley, Popplewell, Keynes, and Henley are all in fine form, CASPIAN is largely enhanced by its supporting cast, which includes indie mainstay Peter Dinklage as the dour dwarf Trumpkin and revered British comedian Eddie Izzard as the voice of the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep. Also briefly reprising their roles from the previous film are Liam Neeson, as the voice of Aslan, and Tilda Swinton, as the White Witch, actors who bring their familiar personas to this engaging and entertaining second chapter in the NARNIA saga. [More]
Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell
Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Ben Barnes, Peter Dinklage, Warwick Davis, Vincent Grass, Pierfrancesco Favino, Sergio Castellitto, Tilda Swinton, Eddie Izzard, Ken Stott, Liam Neeson
Director: Andrew Adamson
Director: Andrew Adamson
Screenwriter: Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Producer: Andrew Adamson, Mark Johnson, Philip Steuer
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Reviews for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian is rife with Christian metaphors and mythology. Well, they're there if you choose to see them.
Adamson is probably indifferent to politics, which would be easier to forgive if the film gave you anything else to think about.
This is a dark romantic epic, which at times recalls such classic sagas as Ivanhoe and Quentin Durward, and it’s very enjoyable on a number of levels, not least in the realm of pure spectacle.
Prince Caspian has most of the elements required for a fantasy-action-adventure story, and the book has been intelligently adapted for the screen.
Character depth and stirring subtext is what books are for. Adamson’s Narnia adaptations remove all that pesky claptrap so that we can glide through a superficial reading.
Yes, Prince Caspian is terrific and there's plenty to enjoy, but someone needs to tell the filmmakers that length does not make a better film. In this case, the film's length has compromised its heart.
The body count is high, the running time is particularly long for a children's film, and the themes are fairly heavy. But, like Wardrobe, it's a lush and mostly entertaining production.
Excessively violent but oddly dull...a Crusades allegory for teeny-boppers
The creakiness of the plot mechanics and the light condescension I detect don't have me looking forward to the third Narnia movie.
Andrew Adamson shows a more confident and defined vision that works on several levels, however it's unable to overcome a nagging feel of disconnect.
It's unfair to characterize it as Lord of the Rings-Light, but it's difficult to avoid that conclusion after watching this earnest but seriously under-inspired effort.
If crossbows, strange creatures, and a squeaky-clean young cast are the right elements for a fantasy sequel, then this naive epic is your movie.
Latest News for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
January 07, 2009:
People's Choice Awards Winners Announced
The 35th annual People's Choice Awards were handed out on January 7, 2009. A complete list of film nominees, with winners in bold, follows below. More...
December 02, 2008:
RT Interview: Richard Taylor on the Weta Workshop and Prince Caspian
RT chats to Richard Taylor about what goes into creating a world, the importance of good weaponry and how his six year-old son became a king. More...
December 01, 2008:
RT on DVD: Watch an Exclusive Clip from Wanted on DVD
More of this summer's films come to DVD this week, led by the extras-packed fantasy The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. If bullet-bending is more your style, you'll want... More...
December 01, 2008:
RT Tours Weta Workshop and The Real Narnia - A Photo Tour
RT jumped at the chance to visit the real Narnia and mix with the creative types at Weta Workshop in New Zealand. Here we celebrated the DVD release of The Chronicles of Narnia:... More...
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