Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of The Dawn Treader

by Gary Barnidge on December 11th, 2010

The Starting Lineup – Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley) Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes) Caspian (Ben Barnes) Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter) Drinian (Gary Sweet) Susan Pevensie (Anna Popplewell) Peter Pevensie (William Moseley) Asian (Voiced By Liam Neeson) Michael Apted (Director) Reepicheep (Voiced by Simon Pegg)

Gary’s Thoughts – Before I went and saw this movie I went back and watched the first two films which are actually the 2nd and 4th books of the series with this being the 5th book. The movie is visually stunning with great CGI characters and scenery. The four Pevensie kids are back with only brief cameos from Susan and Peter (the older brother and sister) but they bring a new character their cousin Eustace who stole the screen during his time on it with great comedic timing. There are a few gaping holes in the plot and story that really turned me off on the movie. There are in the world of fantasy called Narnia but their are more humans then there are Narnians (Fantasy Characters). Also the movie really just moves at a turtle’s pace with nothing really going on or any real plot or reasoning behind the kids being brought back to Narina. The movie looks rushed and tries to finish the story quickly without the true background of anything which can also be contributed to the book a little because not much happens in the book either. There is a lot more religious undertone brought to the for-front in this movie then in the pervious movies.

The Game Plan – Lucy and Edmund are brought back to Narnia unexpectedly to help Prince Caspian to stop the evil of green mist from taking over Narnia. To their surprise though their cousin Eustace is brought into Narnia with them.

Touchdowns – The visual effects of Narnia and their characters are truly amazing. The detail of each character and scenery is truly something to see. Will Poulter’s portray of a kid who thinks he knows everything and wants everything his way is a true scene stealer, you will catch yourself pay extra attention to his character. His character’s (Eustace) relationship with Reepicheep the fighting mouse (Simon Pegg Voice) is played out beautiful from how they develop their friendship from bad terms to good terms.

Penalties – A lot of gapping holes in the plot which truly takes away from the experience of Narnia. For example in the first movie when they leave Narnia and go back to their world they are gone for a year and Narnia has changed by 300 years but when they come back in the 3rd film they have been gone for 3 years and when they come back only a few years have passed which makes no sense. Also there is never any explanation on why the kids were brought back which has you wondering the whole movie. The movie feels like the plot and story is rushed while the movie moves at a very slow pace with nothing really happening.

Fumble – When a movie with so many followers and potential rushes through the story while the movie moves at a snail’s pace. Also when they abandon the true mystique of Narnia by not featuring many Narnians (Fictional Characters) and having more humans in the movie then mystical creatures. Finally the poor dialogue used by Lucy and Edmund takes away from the experience because their dialogue was better in the first two.

Game Summary – The movie has beautiful visuals but lacks a true understanding of what is happening throughout the whole movie. The 3rd movie brings in a more religious undertone to the film then the first two which for some can be great and for others can turn them away. Also there is a lot of gapping holes in the plot which makes you ask yourself what is happening and how did this happen it makes no sense. The main thing I can tell you about this movie though is do not waste your money on the 3D its non existent and you get better 3D in the previews. Again I repeat 3D is a waste of money in this movie no need to spend the extra money on nothing. This movie just doesn’t live up to what I expected but the that could just be because of the book because not much happened throughout the book. Personally I would love to see the 1st book in the series (The Magician’s Nephew) made into a movie to understand the world of Narnia that much more.