An Enjoyable Journey Into Narnia
4 out of 5 Shields
After a long journey of film production, waiting, anticipation, and even more waiting; it is now time to journey to the movie theater to see the latest film adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I have had the privilege of seeing The Voyage of the Dawn Treader twice at advanced screenings. Now that the film has had its world premiere, it is now time for me to share my official review of the movie. I liked the movie because the film is a very entertaining journey from beginning to end. The first or second paragraphs of a movie review will typically summarize the plot of the film without any spoilers. Because I am writing this review for fans of the book, I will instead use this section to summarize the ways that the movie differed from the book and my opinion of these changes. This section of the review will contain spoilers, but the rest of the review will not. In order to read the spoiler section of the review you must hold the review up to a mirror so you can read the text that was written backwards. If you don’t want to know the spoilers skip down and continue reading.
From this point on the review will be spoiler-free. I enjoyed this movie. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was an entertaining character-centered movie with humor sprinkled throughout the film. The movie had a perfect pace that was able to include all of the key parts of the book in a much shorter amount of time. The Lone Islands were presented in a different way than in the book, but I thought they did a very good job with that section of the movie. The Dufflepuds were just as funny as they were in the book, and most of the parts of the book I loved were shown in the film. The film ties everything together in a wonderful ending on the beach that leads into Aslan’s Country.
Unfortunately, the film had some major changes from the book. There was one particular change described in the spoiler section which was overdone throughout the entire movie. The film was not very subtle and there were points in the film that were blatantly obvious about the themes of the characters’ temptations. I enjoyed the first half of the sea serpent attack, but did not like the rest of it because it dragged on too long.
The primary difference between this film and the other Narnia movies was that this film relies less on action and focuses more on the characters of the film. Will Poulter was perfect as Eustace. He portrayed Eustace just like in the book and added humor throughout the film. I loved the voice of Eddie Izzard as Reepicheep in Prince Caspian, but I liked the new voice by Simon Pegg even more. Simon Pegg sounds similar to the original Reepicheep, but has more character depth and emotion. There was a new character Gael, played by Arabella Morton, who was a fantastic addition to the movie. Gael had a very emotional role that enhanced the film and added some great interaction with Lucy. Lucy was not very subtle in her desire to be as beautiful as her sister Susan. Susan makes an appearance in the film as well as Peter and the White Witch, but they are limited to minor cameo roles that do not represent significant changes from the book. The movie was very character-centered and has fantastic portrayals of Eustace, Reepicheep, and Gael.
The voice actor for Reepicheep was not the only person who was changed from previous films. The new movie features a different director and composer. The soundtrack by David Arnold is good and fits very well with the Harry Gregson Williams soundtracks because of the repetition of themes from the previous movies. The computer graphics for dragon Eustace, Aslan’s country, and Reepicheep were amazing. One of the movie’s strengths was that it was a visually stunning film. The cinematography was fantastic and featured gorgeous landscape shots which should be enhanced by the use of 3D. The music and cinematography were both strengths of the movie.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a good movie, but how does it compare with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or Prince Caspian? The previous two Narnia movies were more faithful to the book than this adaptation. The first time I watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian I was absolutely blown away by those magnificent films. When I watched this movie I enjoyed it from beginning to end, but did not have the exact same reaction as I did to the previous films. The most noticeable difference between this movie and the previous films is that this movie does not center around a battle. This movie has a few small action scenes, but it is far more character-centered than previous films which is a very good aspect of this movie. This movie is more humorous and entertaining than the previous films. I liked The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, but I did not think it was as good as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was a very enjoyable film. The film was an entertaining character-centered movie, but it has several changes from the book. The characters of Eustace, Reepicheep, and Gael were fantastic. The music and cinematography were great. Overall this was a good movie, but it was not as amazing as the previous Narnia movies. The journey of waiting and anticipation has finally come to and end, it is now time for you to journey into your local movie theater and see this film opening weekend so that you can experience this movie for yourself in 3D.
Making them use a mirror David, tsk, tsk.
I don’t know how you did this, but you posted this comment before the article was published.
If I could somehow “like” the two comments above, I would do so instantly. Hahahaha.
“If I could somehow “like” the two comments above, I would do so instantly. Hahahaha.”
On a Mac, I simutaneously press the keys COMMAND-SHIFT-4 for the cross hair to which I drag along the white text box to have a screen capture of it. Then I open it in PREVIEW and flip horizontally without using a mirror.
Thanks so much for the review! I only read the spoiler-free part so far, but after I comment, I’m going to go get a mirror. Haha.
But it was a great review, would you mind if I sent it to some friends?
You can share this with whoever you want. It is now public. You are amazingly fast! I was surprised to see the first comment this quickly.
Haha, I was actually posting a story at the same time. Yours was published 13 seconds before mine. 😛 Plus I can read pretty fast. And I just realized that I don’t need a mirror at all…I just need to click the pictures of the backwards text. Thanks!
I thought that having to use the mirror would be more fun.
I’m glad you enjoyed the review.
Huh? Click the pictures of the– Ohhh…… Now I feel stupid. I used a mirror =) my sister was looking at me funny the whole time I was reading
I started reading the first half and I realized… this is acutaully a huge spoiler!!! I would suggest NOT reading this until you see the movie, because it tells you the whole storyline. I’m not mad that you posted it though
Did you think that the backwards portion of the text was a big spoiler or did you think that the regular text was a big spoiler?
no I’m VERY happy you made it mirrored, and as you said above, it adds some fun (even though I just mirrored it in Paint shop Pro) lolz.
I just recently saw the film too! It was fantastic and my favourite bit was when they arrived at the end of the world. I rate it 4 stars out of 5 too, although the best movie for me, remains Prince Caspian.
“Not as amazing as the previous Narnia movies” 🙁
Omg! Yesterday I went to see the
film in 3D with my brother (we
love Narnia), and it’s really
awesome! Although there are
some differences with the book,
I confess that new ideas were
perfect, gael, green mist, the
white witch storm to Edmund in his
mind, wow! Incredible, the music,
the special effects, and aslan. Before
seeing the movie avoid seeing
the behind the scenes and most
of the images, but now look at
them and smiled. And the best
part is that all functions are
packed, I hope that U.S. will do as
well as here, Oh, and
never forget the great detail of
credits in the style of book
illustrations, adorned with
“there’s a place for us” of Carrie Underwood.
Narnia Thanks for existing!
“Not as amazing as the previous Narnia movies.”
Should I be worried? No, I dont think I should. I’ll judge when I see it Friday(wow, it’s so close!!)
Well, I do know this: whether I find VDT good or bad, it’ll be always “For Narnia and For Aslan”
Just thought I’d share my thoughts on the movie. I saw it today in 3D. To be honest, it’s not worth the extra $3. There were few scenes where the 3D was great but the rest just wasn’t beneficial from the 3D conversion. I absiolutely loved the Susan cameos. Especially the first one. Although the scene in Lucy’s dream wasn’t that flash. The scenes from the trailer showing the 4 Penvensie kid’s in Narnia was not in the film. I don’t know why. I also loved the Jill shout out at the end. xD
what was there jill in the film..omg they did go ahead with the next book..wow…can’t wait to see the film 🙂
WARNING SPOLIERS:
*****************
At the end of the film when they return to the real world, Mrs Scrubb yells out “Eustace, your friend Jill Pole is here”.
*****************
cool thanxs….did they show the girl which i doubt…..that must have made you jumped when hearing it lol 🙂
No they didn’t show any Jill.
While it did seem like a nice link they aren’t supposed to know each other. When you read the start of Silver Chair, Jill and Eustace meet for the first time.
No, they didn’t show her.
But I was extremely surprised when I heard the name Jill Pole! I’m like “WHAT?! OMG. ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” Then walking out of the theatre I’m was thinking “Wait. Eustace and Jill aren’t friends yet. They don’t even know each other.” so I wonder how they’ll create her introduction if they do make The Silver Chair the next movie.
i know what u mean both of yous…i really do wonder how they will introduce jill in the silver chair…it may be exciting to her at eustrace house…but then we think what they don’t meet till next story…hmmm
All you had to do was click the pictures? Good grief. =) You should have seen me scrambling for a mirror.
Nice review. I hate that they feel the need to make this movie into another “we’ve got to save Narnia” situation, because it really doesn’t have to be that way. Anyway, I can’t wait to see it on Friday! =)
P.S. Travis K, the mention of Jill sounds great!
I thkn people who like adventure more thn fighting will like this better than the other two, but if you like war and action you’ll like the other two better. it’s just a question of taste, not the movie itself.
Eustace and Jill DID know each other they just weren’t exactly FRIENDS at first.
Before Eustace went to Narnia and had his transformation he was a part of the group of bully’s that are at their school.
I don’t know if it’s okay to quote the book, but if I can I’d must happy to point out the parts that would help clear this up.
I just got back from seeing the film and it’s safe to say that I learned more about myself and life by watching this movie than I have by going to school or by the things that my parents say! haha
Personally, I thought it was magnificent and found myself swooning quite a couple of times (Yes, over Skandar Keynes and Ben Barnes, but out of sheer amazement as well). I was, however, a little disappointed that they made Ben lose the Spanish accent :\
Anyway, I hope that they continue on to make The Final Battle and, maybe, the rest of the books as well although I do think I’d find The Silver Chair and all of the Eustace ones ridiculously boring.
Please don’t let this be the end of the series.