The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

What's the story?

The characters of C.S. Lewis's timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them. One year after the incredible events of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct, Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy. The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter and a Black Dwarf, Nikabrik, the Narnians, led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian, embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz's tyrannical hold, and restore magic and glory to the land. Directed once again by veteran director Andrew Adamson, screenplay by Andrew Adamson and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely and produced by Mark Johnson, Andrew Adamson and Philip Steuer, the film reunites the original cast and creative team behind the blockbuster first film in the series.

--© Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media


My review...
This second installment of fantasy epic movie invites us into its rich realm. With better meshing of the real and the computer-generated, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian holds us at two-plus hours. Like finest fantasy epic movies, Prince Caspian entertains our eyes with enchanting scenery, energetic battle sequences, and several surprises which add new tension to the movie, like startling sequence in which old agents of the White Witch attempt to channel – and resurrect – her spirit via the sacrifice of blood from a son of Adam. Unfortunately, it's no better than its predecessor. Don't expect mythical grandeur or more grown-up story line here, the four child actors just couldn't hold up the film even with the help of handsome but dull Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes). It's obvious that the weak screenplay made this movie kind of "lost in the wonderland"; it sure tried to expose the wondrous world of magic and fantasy, the characters inside are just incapable to deliver a viable ingredient of this movie. Allow me to say that this second adaption of CS Lewis popular series has lost its human touch.

Anyway, despite its preposterous story, Prince Caspian can still be an enjoyable movie, if you just shut your logic. It also got a soaring music!
The first installment was quite a so so movie for me, and this one is pretty much the same for me. Prince Caspian is no league to the mighty trilogy "Lord of the Rings".
I rate The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian an embattled 5 out of 10.