If history is any indication, The Chronicles of Narnia series will likely come to rival Harry Potter in terms of longevity and box office. While the first Narnia was a worldwide smash, the second is even better – but that doesn’t mean it’s flawless.
This time the story begins in Narnia, already an improvement over the plodding first hour of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Prince Caspian’s uncle and rival, King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto, Arthur and the Invisibles), has just enjoyed the birth of a son, a potential heir. Emboldened, the King attempts to assassinate Caspian (Ben Barnes, Stardust). Driven into the woods, Caspian discovers the magical creatures of Narnia, thought to have been extinct, and agrees to lead them against Miraz.
Meanwhile, in London, the Pevensie foursome is having a hard time adjusting to no longer being royalty. But a trip to the subway returns them to Narnia, where they join Caspian’s fight.
Caspian possesses many positives compared to Wardrobe. There are more action scenes than before and a heightened story pace overall. Director Andrew Adamson, who directed Wardrobe with little-to-no inspiration, has found at least some more energy this go-round. And the supporting characters are more creative and vibrant, including the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep (voiced by Eddie Izzard, Across the Universe) and the disgruntled dwarf Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage, Underdog).
The problem is Caspian carries some negatives not prevalent in the first film. The villain, Miraz, is not as memorable a character as Tilda Swinton’s (Michael Clayton) White Witch. As played by full-bearded Castellitto, Miraz remains somewhere between low boil and half-hearted smolder, a poor man’s Gerard Butler (Nim’s Island). This contrast is hammered home when Swinton pops in for a short scene as the White Witch. She takes all of two seconds to assert herself as a more compelling and intriguing villain than King Miraz.
Another major issue is the big character arc – it’s poorly acted and not as dire as in Wardrobe. Peter (William Moseley, also in Wardrobe) has become smug and faithless and must rediscover his humility and belief. Moseley, with his soft features and equally soft demeanor, is not a natural fit to play a self-absorbed jerk. Whenever he tries to act tough, it doesn’t make an impact as his acting is too passive to register strongly.
As for Edmund, Skandar Keynes (also in Wardrobe) has clearly improved as an actor, bringing hope for future installments of the Narnia franchise. In Wardrobe, Keynes basically moped through his one-note performance that consisted of him making a face like he just bit into a lemon for the majority of his screen time. In Caspian, he shows humor, personality and presence. As for the other leads, the rest of the Pevensie clan can’t match Keynes’ progress, and Barnes is just a pretty face in the title role.
Supporting character-wise, Dinklage’s put-upon dwarf Trumpkin shines. Usually utilizing razor-sharp diction and portraying super-intelligent characters, Dinklage switches up to play the grumbling Trumpkin. Cracking wise comments and groaning throughout, Dinklage uses his tremendously expressive eyes to, at a moment’s notice, easily tap into his character’s true empathy for the Pevensies.
And the film shines, thanks in small part, to the gloriously funny Reepicheep. This gentlemanly swashbuckler – in the form of a mouse – is introduced while single-handedly taking out a squad of enemy soldiers. He is the bravest soldier in the film, charging enthusiastically into enemy ranks. And he does not take to condescension about his size, as seen when Lucy (Georgie Henley, Wardrobe) observes, “He’s so cute!” Reepicheep draws his sword and shouts, “Who said that!” with utter conviction. The mouse alone is funny enough to push Caspian past Wardrobe.
Adamson’s direction is occasionally lively, but his work remains lackluster in inspiration. One can only dream of what visionary directors such as Guillermo del Toro (of Pan’s Labyrinth fame) or Steven Spielberg (think E.T. and Jurassic Park) could do with the Narnia franchise. What darkness and wonder and personality such directors could imbue the material with.
Two films in, the Narnia franchise still feels very much like a product. There never really is the sense, watching either film, of being totally immersed in a different world. The team behind Narnia has wisely decided to appoint a new director for the next film (Michael Apted, Amazing Grace) – perhaps he can breath the life force missing from the series so far.
But for now, Prince Caspian will do fine.
dan.benamor@gmail.com
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
