I have now seen The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader five times, and I’ve been having trouble coming up with my own thoughts on it. The first time was in 2-D and the second in 3-D. For the first screening with a ‘normal’ audience, I opted for a 2-D screening. This really is a movie that you need to see more than once. Go see it at least twice. I’m not saying that because I want them to make enough money to continue the series, though that would be nice. I am saying that because, when you go from a book to a movie there are going to be changes. Those changes can be jarring and take you out of the movie. Seeing the movie only once can rob you of the experience of the movie on its own two legs. The second time through lets you see the movie on its own terms. (Unfortunately, most of the audience for the Narnia movies have not read beyond The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.)
Thematically, the movie captures the book wonderfully. There is a lot of real character growth, and a lot of trial and tribulation along the way. Themes of temptation, self-esteem, and greed run throughout. Add to that the constant mention of Aslan and we’ve got a great adventure on our hands. I feel it is the best of the three films, and also the most magical. I think the ending is the most emotional end so far.
This is a very intimate film, focusing more on the characters that are mostly stuck together aboard the majestic Dawn Treader. The characters, being in such close quarters, get to know each other very well. And the director, Michael Apted, manages to capture honest performances from his actors. Coming from a background of documentaries, as well as filming a James Bond as well as a film called Amazing Grace, he has focused on each individual character and it shows. The acting is much improved across the board by all of the returning actors from prior Narnia films.
The cinematography of this Narnia is much more fluid and remarkable than the prior films as well. Those did have some great moments, don’t get me wrong. Dante Spinotti managed to capture scenes in very interesting ways, capturing performances on camera as well as the incredible scenery and amazing shots of the Dawn Treader.
The dialog, a lot of others are saying they didn’t like as much as the previous two movies. I must disagree for a number of reasons. Eustace, Reepicheep, Caspian and Aslan. Eustace is spot on from the book. Everyone that I talk to tells me that they were so annoyed by him at the beginning (and if they have not read the books, I tell them the first line of the book and they laugh, because they get it from having seen the film). Plus his character’s quips and journal as well as his narration are all wonderful. Reepicheep has some of the most incredible moments in the film and speaks with a very poetic charm throughout the film. Much more charming than in Caspian, much more Reepicheep than he ever has been. This was the quintessential Reepicheep to me. Caspian has a lot of fun, and his big moments toward the end of the film, which I’ll mention later, are a great lesson. Finally, every time Aslan speaks, his words are very carefully chosen.
As for the overall screenplay, I found it to be as good as the others. I didn’t have anything really stand out to me as uncharacteristic from my own perspective on the film. I found the film to move very quickly when compared to the previous two, and I know a bit more for why that is. They were delivering a film that was under two hours in length. I learned that while they were shooting it. It does show that they did some chopping to some scenes, but overall the storyline remained intact.
From this point on, the review is going to become very SPOILER FILLED, including the ENDING, so if you’d like to go into it fresh, stop reading now.
There are many moments in the movie that I really love, from the introduction of Eustace, to the entrance to Narnia. I found the interaction of Eustace and Reepicheep to be fantastic from beginning to end. Starting out with a few confrontations, the whole dynamic shifts when Reepicheep first compliments Eustace. Eustace doesn’t really know how to handle a compliment and he seems to really enjoy what was likely the first honest compliment that he has ever received, aside from awards at school. Speaking of Eustace, Will Poulter does an amazing job of capturing the character as written in the book. He is spot on from beginning to end, and I would love for them to get going on The Silver Chair immediately so that he is still young enough to reprise the role. One other thing they managed to do was give the film a sort of narrative voice with Eustace. His journal helped to serve that purpose. I remember thinking that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe would have been better if we either had a narrator or could listen to the thoughts of the children at times. Edmund, in particular. In this film, Eustace gives his thoughts on what is going on, and I’m sure there are some Narnia fans that will agree with his statements at times. His transformation in the film is definitely one that you can see very well by the end. I think he’s got a great career ahead of him and I hope that people really take notice.
Simon Pegg has absolutely nailed the character of Reepicheep. The change in voice actors is not a distraction at all, and serves to bring more gravity to the character. He has some very good moments in the film, not the least of which is a scene where he is able to give comfort to Eustace, who has found himself in a situation where he cannot speak, or even sleep. Reepicheep offers to stay up with him and tell him stories of his adventures. It is a very tender moment that is paid off in one of the final moments of the film, as characters are parting ways. “What a marvelous puzzle you are.” (Not sure I’ve got that line right, but it is one of my favorite lines in the movie.) Reepicheep, in this film, is one of the finest characters on the screen, and I think that he has (like the book caused) become a fan favorite even moreso than he was from his action adventure stint in Prince Caspian.
Skandar Keynes steps things up in his role as Edmund. He has one big moment that has been reminding people of Orlando Bloom or Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. I guess that’s a fair comparison, though you could also say that it’s like Errol Flynn but many would be scratching their heads at that reference. There was one particular moment that was classic Edmund. If you remember the scene in Prince Caspian when he was challenging King Miraz to a duel on behalf of Peter, I loved this moment just as much. Just look at Edmund’s face when Caspian hands him something he’d lost.
Georgie Henley’s return to the role of Lucy is a meaty one. She is in a situation where she wants to be beautiful, she sees her sister Susan, and feels she cannot measure up to her. Her self-esteem seems to have taken a pounding somewhere along the way and that is something that is only added to when Caspian mentions Susan in a line that causes many fans to roll their eyes. However, after he says that line, keep your eyes on the screen, and watch Lucy very carefully. I noticed the second time I saw the movie, and confirmed it last night: Lucy really thinks about what Caspian is saying, and her face falls. In the book, Lucy kind of has a crush on Caspian, but that doesn’t come into play in this film beyond that small moment. It adds to her self-esteem issues, though Caspian did not intentionally do so. Though that line also alludes to the fact that Caspian has been looking for a woman to be his queen.
Caspian is much more fun this time around. Barnes appears to be having a great time finally playing the role he earned in the movie he was most excited to be a part of. He plays the now King Caspian with nobility and grace. Gone is the quick temper, as he has matured and grown into his new position in the few years since the last adventure in Narnia. Caspian has retained a bit of the innocence he had, but seems to be having much more fun, now that he doesn’t have an uncle out to get him. His character arc is slightly modified from the book, but in a way that is positive. He merely wishes to be as great a King as his father was, but he doesn’t really know how. When they get to the edge of the world, Caspian has this moment of realization after speaking to Aslan. “I spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given.” That is a very good lesson that we can all learn from.
Liam Neeson’s voice role of Aslan is excellent once again. People were a bit concerned that Aslan wouldn’t look as good this time, but he most certainly does. And Liam Neeson knocks it out of the park with a very tender and thought provoking vocal performance. The emphasis is in all the right places. He speaks the lines with a tenderness and warmth that no prior Aslan has managed to capture. Every time he is on the screen, I have found that the entire audience is suddenly quiet. I have read that some prefer the James Earl Jones style vocals for Aslan, but having seen that in previous Narnia versions, it’s nice to have an Aslan that you don’t fear.
Will Poulter’s turn as Eustace is certainly the best performance of the character, hands down. You go along with him for the ride as he goes from pest to friend. His heartfelt goodbye to Reepicheep and the narration at the end of the film both capture the journey that we’ve been on with him well. The words he speaks at the end of the film also sum up the audience’s emotion as the film heads toward the close. It’s extremely poetic in that it is Eustace that puts the painting back on the wall. Look also for the undragoning scene. I have seen enough people mention this that it seems important to mention. People seem to miss the moment that Eustace is scratching at his dragon skin, but it is there. The moment that Aslan rips the dragon skin from him is also present and it is done in a way that you can tell what is happening, but also in a way that is characteristic of Aslan. It keeps the movie kid friendly, shows his great power, and he roars the rest away with fire. It’s all far more symbolic than most will notice, and that includes the fire.
–
Let’s take a quick look at the two major additions to the story on film vs. the story in the book.
The Seven Swords. I learned about the swords over a year ago from Ben Barnes. I find the seven swords intriguing. In the film there are seven swords that were given to the seven lost lords by Aslan for the protection of Narnia. Some have stated that it makes no sense that Aslan would give them something for the protection of Narnia, let alone weapons. I must point out a few things. The tree of Narnia was also there for protection, as were the gifts that the children were given by Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The most interesting thing is that they were given swords, but the way to fight the evil is to lay the swords down on Aslan’s Table. Live by the sword, die by the sword. So they lay the swords down and don’t ever really use them in battle. The only sword that is used is the one gifted to Peter by Father Christmas in the first film. It is used to protect the Narnian sailors aboard the Dawn Treader from the manifested sea serpent. The only way that the sword had the power to defeat the serpent, however, was after the seventh sword was on Aslan’s table. If you notice, it didn’t actually glow until the seventh sword was finally there with the others. It was a combined effort, therefore, of the children with the help of Aslan who had not only made Eustace a boy once again, but also placed him back on Ramandu’s Island in reach of his table.
The Green Mist is the one thing that I find many people have a very big problem with. Personally, I don’t have a problem with it. For one thing, in The Silver Chair there are Narnians disappearing inexplicably, and that’s where the film makers took that story point from. Another thing is that the mist seems to be an extension of the Dark Island, which is found in the book. The mist is explained as Narnia’s natural reaction to evil being introduced to the world. However, it also made me think of it from another point of view. If you’ve read The Screwtape Letters, this Narnia book / film is very much a Screwtape Letters for kids. Whenever the mist appears, it seems to be messing with all of the characters in some way. I began to see it as an evil force, much like Wormwood, that is the source of the temptation. In the film, slave traders are making sacrifices of Narnians to the green mist. I thought about it a little, and realized that they would only do so if they were under some sort of threat. Perhaps the green mist is also a hint at things to come in The Silver Chair, with the Lady of the Green Kirtle. I could see her making a reference to the slave traders, should that film be made.
I look at it like this. The Dark Island appears in the book, and that justifies every single moment that the green mist is in the film. The fact that the Dark Island, which came out of nowhere, a place of evil and nightmare even appears in the book is completely random. Even moreso if you’ve read the books in chronological order and know about the creation of Narnia. It makes no sense that the Dark Island would be intentionally placed in the world. The fact that it does exist means that it had to manifest somehow, as things don’t cause themselves to happen. There must be a sentient evil presence to cause that effect. Therefore, the green mist has just as much qualification for appearing within the world of Narnia. It, too, appears to be out of nowhere. This also brings us back to the Lady of the Green Kirtle from The Silver Chair. Evil being brought into Narnia from outside of it in the form of Jadis caused a lot of the trouble in the first place. And that evil, though defeated by Aslan, still persists in the same way that it does in our own world.
Gael. This character was created to give Lucy a character to teach, and to learn from. She looks up to Lucy and wants to be like her some day, which gives Lucy a nice bookend to her journey of self esteem. I have said before that Arabella Morton, the girl that played the role, is a total sweetheart and that’s true. I did like her in the film, but there were a couple of shots that the editors used of her that I might have taken one or two more takes to get just right. Her acting in the rest is very good. One shot, however, was done in a single take, and that one would take the same minute or so for each take to accomplish: “When you grow up, you should be just like you.” That said, she gives us more of a connection to the missing Narnians.
Other details
Now, let’s talk about the music, by David Arnold. I’m a big fan of movie scores, and when it comes to this film, the music is definitely good. The problem, to me, is that I felt the Dawn Treader theme was a bit too understated. A ship that magical, that majestic, needs music to match. The theme was good, but could have been great with a bit more sound. It took until the fourth time through that I remembered the themes from the movie that Arnold wrote.
Now, there are some call backs to the music of Harry Gregson-Williams that were written for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. (Side note: Some believe that Caspian was mostly a copy of the score from LWW, with a few small changes. As a film music buff, I must say that is an incorrect assessment. The music in Prince Caspian is probably 25-30% from LWW, an not more than that. Plus, even if it is thematic material from the prior film, it is written and recorded for the new film. However similar it sounds, it has to be timed to fit in the film and they never just take an old track and re-use it.) When it comes to using themes from the prior films in this one, I think it does a good job of having a singular theme for the story, and using the major and memorable Narnian themes at just the right moments. Because the themes don’t show very often, they sweep you into the emotion of the scenes in which they are used: the first time you really see the Dawn Treader, and when they arrive at Aslan’s Country. While many believe these themes are direct copies, all were re-written for this film by David Arnold. Instrumentation has changed some, and the tempo is made to match the sweeping moment and flow all the way to the credits. The one thing that I missed were the vocals of Lisbeth Scott, who graced the first two films very memorably to me.
I can’t talk about the film without mentioning the final moments of the film. I think the last few scenes from the sea of lilies on are some of the finest that I have seen, in any movie really. The fact that every time that I have seen the movie, the audience is completely held captive by these moments is just incredible. I think King Caspian’s line toward the end of the film sums up pretty well my feelings about the books becoming movies. It was something like: “I spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given.”
And the final shot of Lucy closing the door is a great bookend to the order of discovery of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Eustace leaves, followed by Edmund, and Lucy closes the door.
I like your reference to a “normal” audience…implies that the audience for your first screening was, shall we say, extraordinary. 🙂
Indeed, a “normal” audience. Ha ha. Indeed, the first audience was extraordinary, as was the second audience. 🙂 Both very extraordinary. 🙂
Good review. I have to say the ending is so moving. I tear up every time I see it. I also have seen it 5 times. It’s to bad many people are missing this movie in America. I love the movie. I love the book.
Indeed, I agree completely. It’s a shame so many are missing out on it.
why?
why? What do you mean missing out on it?
By not seeing it for whatever reason.
i’ll bet the main reason is the audience weren’t really pumped for it by the advertising in america. If it had the advertising push like “Tangled” had, I bet we’d have had double the business.
ditto! I love this movie just as much as Mr. Martin! it’s amazing!
the best part was, I saw it for the third time on sunday and I enjoyed it even more than the previous two times! 😀
that movie is my favorite movie of all time.
I love the lessons it teaches. actually, I tend to fight with my brother a lot and the last time I did so, I suddenly was reminded of Edmund and Caspian fighting at Goldwater for no real reason…..the lessons in this movie are for any person, any age……
I LOVE it!
I agree pretty near 100% to your review. Spot on!
Only some side comments concerning the compositions by David Arnold. I personally feel this music is the best of the three films. Although I will say the one thing I missed from the music in this film was as you said the couple of songs with human voices like Lisabeth Scott, and Sprectre (sp?) something like that… As for me it was always those last songs in the last moments of the film that emotionally caught me. Like “The Call” from Prince Caspian makes me cry every time I hear it, realizing that one day the children will return to Narnia but not for a long time and for Peter and Susan, a very long time (It also makes me realize that I’m leaving Narnia and makes me yearn for it all the more); )
Some may say there was the vocal song addition by (I believe Carrie Underwood) at the end and there was, but why is it not on the soundtrack (and for me it didn’t quite as perfectly capture the emotional quality her predecessors had.) So whatever, but regardless beautiful movie faithful to the thematic elements of the book with tangential side plots that you simply need to see in a second viewing of the movie so you’re not in shock as I was when I first saw them.
Thanks, Brandon!
Yeah, I really meant, though it might not have come across when I wrote it, that the music was perfectly used in all of the right places. It was what it needed to be for the film. I wish that there were a more majestic theme. But that is my own preference. 🙂
I am glad you said that about Lisbeth Scott and Regina Spektor. I agree with you about “The Call.” For the record, in case you or others don’t know, Lisbeth Scott is the woman whose voice is heard in LWW when they’re on the train, and in PC when they run to the water when they first arrive on the beach.
thank you so much for this review, Mr. Martin! I also agree 100%!
you put my thoughts into words, almost. 🙂
thanks!
I love the Green Mist and Seven Swords too!
You’re welcome!
The only thing i would like to add about this movie is, I can not emphasize how close to the book it is. I have only seen it once (yea i know…). I saw this movie in 3d (my first 3d movie) and for the first time I felt like i was reading the book with the movie. I felt like i was 10 years old again, reading the Voyage for the first time. It was like I traveled back into time. Everything about the movie seemed like it was right from my imagination. It was incredible. And yes Eustace was Spot on! I remember from almost immediately while reading the book, how much I detested him, but warmed up to him in the end.
This movie is by far the best in the series. I can not wait until the next installment!
I agree, Steve. It was extremely close to my own memories of the book as well. (I don’t read very fast, so it’s hard to read many books, let alone the same books more than once.)
Just to add that I like this review, it’s spot on, but putting the original illustrations in color at the end when the credits rolled was PURE GENIUS!
Indeed! The illustrations were a great touch, and I think they should do that for the rest of the films, should the series continue.
I agree with this review all the way, I loved at the end of the movie when Lucy closes the door as into saying that, that was the end of the Pevensie adventures in Narnia, and so starts the adventure of their cousin Eustace Clarence Scrubb.
Exactly! That moment also reminded me that Lewis originally thought that it was the end of the Narnia books as well, but then he had more ideas for more adventures and wrote four more books. (Based on the original order of publication.)
Good review, Paul. I noticed what you say about Lucy, too. This was very well done, and fits well with the book.
I also liked what you said about seeing the movie at least twice. I agree. As you say, it’s not about just supporting the movie. Especially fans of the book need to see it at least twice. Plus, I think that I will find something new (and likable!) every time I see this film. Frankly, the first two movies are kind of boring after seeing them repeatedly. I don’t think I will ever feel that way about this one.
Thanks Mark. I agree that each time I have seen it I have found more to like about it. I’ve watched different performances each time as well, paying each special attention individually. It really allowed for each character to shine in their own way.
I love the film – so magical and inspiring. The music too is amazing – I’m listening to the soundtrack as I type 🙂 I thought ‘There’s A Place For Us’ was a lovely end song in the titles (beautifully done with Pauline baynes original illustrations) – so moving. In the UK it was Joe McElderry’s lovely version we heard. As it’s not on the soundtrack i simply downloaded it from itunes for less than £1.
I had the opportunity of seeing the film with Joe McElderry’s version in London. Even the credits are different to reflect his version of the song.
I also saw this in London with Joe, I can’t say I’m a massive Naria fan (sorry) but I loved this film, I originally only went to see it because of Joe signing the end song, but I enjoyed the film so much, I had to watch the other films.
I wish more people could hear Joe’s lovely voice.
Excellent review by the way
I am sorry, but I was very disappointed by this movie. I will not pay to go see it again. I realize that 2 hrs is not enough time to transfer a book to film, but why must movie makers drastically change the story? The green mist and the 7 swords, and the little girl are NOT in the book, so they have no place in the movie, PERIOD! I do not know the origins of the Lady of the Green Kirtle, but she does not appear until The Silver Chair. I found the first two movies stayed very close to the original story, but this one is way out in left field.
I think it interesting that you didn’t put your real name. Unless your name is actually my name spelled with a y. I clearly stated in my review that those three storylines are not in the book, but I already said why I think they are all fine additions to the story.
Why shouldn’t they use material from other Narnia books as well? Isn’t it all in the same world?
I would recommend you go just one more time, now that you’ve been “broken in” regarding the differences. So many people have warmed up to it on second viewing, when they had been surprised by the adaptation the first time. It’s like you can now mentally give yourself a chance to see someone else’s interpretation of it, and maybe pick up some enjoyable, enriching points for your own version.
Paul, you are correct that this film needs to be seen twice. I totally agree. I gave VODT my second viewing last night, five weeks after I had seen it on release day. I still am not sure how I feel about the film- there are things I love and things I don’t quite like.
“…there are things I love and things I don’t quite like.” Exactly how I feel. As I said in my review, the book will always be my first love, but I’ve found I can love the movie, too.
i feel like im gonna have to find a way to like it, as ive waited for 2.5 years of my life for this, ive missed my narnian actors, and i want it to complete my dvd trilogy. i dont really care for the silver chair, so i have to wait probably 4.5 -5 years for another one im more into. not to mention the soundtrack was a real letdown- except carrie’s song., which brings me to tears. i saw it opening weekend, and want to see it again, now that the shock has worn off. i think this time ill go in with the attitude of seeing a fanfic version of vdt and see if that helps.
Good review, but I disagree very strongly on one point: you said that Gregson-Williams never copied material from LWW’s soundtrack for Prince Caspian. I have listened to both soundtracks literally scores of times and can say without a doubt that Gregson-Williams directly copied music tracks from the first film. In some places, he remixed or reorchestrated the music. But no, in Prince Caspian, he did indeed copy and paste a lot of stuff where he could have simply developed the themes he wanted to use. And by the way, David Arnold did use a track from the previous films: “To Aslan’s Camp”, from LWW. It plays sometime after the destruction of Dark Island, and is in fact credited near the end of the film’s credits along with the other music. All the other uses of the “Heroic Theme” or as Arnold incorrectly called it, the “Narnia Theme”, were different, and well developed in my opinion. If Arnold had used the other themes written by Gregson-Williams, I think this soundtrack would have been amazing, with a lot of theme development. As for the “Dawn Treader” theme, I agree that it wasn’t used enough. Considering the fact that it’s the “Main Theme” of this movie, it didn’t have the biggest role.
“Some believe that Caspian was mostly a copy of the score from LWW, with a few small changes. As a film music buff, I must say that is an incorrect assessment. The music in Prince Caspian is probably 25-30% from LWW, an not more than that.”
Prince Caspian was certainly not a copy of the first, but I would say that Prince Caspian’s score probably contained about 30-35% of LWW’s score, some of it being identical, some being remixed.
Sorry this is so long. Music is a passion of mine.
Now, after all that, let me just say that this is an impressive review. I don’t like the Green Mist and probably never will, but your way of looking at it keeps me from being depressed my the movie. I do have a question: is the Green Mist actually called Narnia’s reaction to evil be introduced to the world??? I never heard that anywhere.
Music is a passion of mine as well, and I too have listened to the soundtracks over and over. As I understand, To Aslan’s Camp was the music used, but I believe it was rescored/mixed for this film to blend perfectly with the music Arnold wrote for the film as well. I think that the soundtrack for Prince Caspian didn’t do the film’s original music much justice, however.
Harry Gregson-Williams tends to be very experimental with his music writing, and with LWW he really played, but I think with Caspian they must have used the score he wrote for the temp tracks while editing and fell in love with the pieces. I think we both agree that it’s about 30% +/-5% of the score from LWW. However, I think that like Dawn Treader, the film uses the themes only to help the audience to recall moments, such as the thrown room at the ruins, or the coronation sequence at the entrance to Aslan’s Howe.
As for the green mist, that’s how Douglas Gresham described it to me in my interview with him. He also told me via e-mail when I asked him if I was off base with my idea about Screwtape Letters. (He liked my take on it.)
You’re right, Paul the PC Soundtrack doesn’t do the film’s music justice at all. A lot of the new music and interesting stuff didn’t make it onto the album, to my utter disappointment.
The reuse of the themes in PC isn’t my problem, but the actual copying of tracks. For instance, the music written for the ruins contained a lot of the Narnia, Pevensie, and Heroic themes, but it was all new music. The Arrival at Aslan’s How had an actual piece or two copied into it from LWW. That is okay once or twice, but doing it as much as he did gained Harry a lot of criticism. All the same, when it comes to listening, I like PC’s score better because it’s a bit of both films and it’s performed by a broader range of instruments.
In the “To Aslan’s Camp” part of the music of VDT, it was just a matter of inserting the track and then writing around it, building into it and then out, fading the track in and out at the right points. In this case, it wasn’t a big deal to me because I wanted to hear Gregson-Williams’ style so badly. I just didn’t fall in love with Arnold’s music as much.
I like your take on the Screwtape Letters and the Green Mist too, by the way. You are so fortunate to have spoken with Douglas Gresham!
Indeed! I’ve spent a lot of time with Mr. Gresham, and he is one of my favorite people that I have ever met. He’s fantastic.
Holy Green Smokes, that was longer than I thought! Sorry!
Loved your review! 🙂 You put it very, very, very well. Thanks for sharing. I’ve seen this movie twice… it was *so* well put that I (who had never cried/bawled/sobbed during a movie before, just teared up) sobbed BOTH times I saw it when the kids left Narnia.
Thanks for the review, Paul! I really liked what they did with this movie too! 🙂 Let’s hope Apted stays on for SC and LB at *least*!
I hope that he does stay on for the Silver Chair, should they do it. I think he could do something pretty amazing with Puddleglum.
Puddleglum! 😀 Man, I hope they make the Silver Chair…
I dont recall Lucy having a crush on Caspian…
I don’t either, but I kept hearing so much reference to it from people that I thought it might be a small detail that I forgot about. ha ha!
Haha…I was puzzled when I read that part and was just gonna comment..
I think that was in the leaked script. Caused a lot of dismay among most fans, I must say!
Well i read your whole review:) Well done. I’ve seen the film 5 times, and i still enjoyed it lots the fifth time – no boredom/movie fatigue at all( so i really should see it again…), but is hard to know how it compares exactly because it is big 3d movie experience & so much to take in. I still noticed new things 5th time also & having diff. experiences with diff. parts.
The ending finale of the sea serpent battle etc is perfectly judged it seems to me, as was the ending finales of LW&W, where as a part of PC’s was slightly misjudged to me. Once use to it, the green mist is great & it’s initial introduction is only bit that could have benefited from a abit more developed & less arbitrary introduction, & also being played up abit more as being terrifying to the lone Island culture. The lone island escapade is only bit of film that feels slightly less of the film’s overall momentum & dramatic story to me, & it’s when the echoes of the book are strongest particularly after short battle, that the film gets ‘back’ to it’s Narnian VOTDT adventure that it builds on up from there in.
Over all the acting’s different, not better or worse i think from previous two, and i thought Ben Barnes was well suited to Caspian in PC at the time, and that Georgie’s Lucy in PC is really good to watch in the acting for just how well it’s done (Skandar’s Edmund maybe like that for me with this film & that character opening up) but now that i think about it.. the overall acting in PC was great, the telmarines were awesome too. VOTDT is diff. creative movie, time, diff. story, diff character arcs that came about diff. way & what suits one not suit the other etc but way acting done is diff facet to enjoy with the characters being main thing & this remains a success for VOTDT to me.
Definitely, Nic, well said. I agree that the performances in Prince Caspian and LWW were both really good as well. I just found Barnes to be much more relaxed in this film.
Ben Barnes was amazing in this movie when compared to Prince Caspian, even though he was pretty good then, too. He seems so much more believable than before! I don’t think Georgie Henley did as well as she has before in her acting; there were a couple places where I cringed, but for the most part she did a good job, particularly in her portrayal of wanting so terribly to be beautiful and her departure from Narnia. And Skandar Keynes was CRYING! I can’t believe it!!! I didn’t think they could make him do it 🙂
In a way Georgie’s roles are the most transportative, & she seamlessly does it again in VOTDT but my favourite of hers will probably be in PC. My fav. Ben Barnes will probably be as PC rather than KC, and it’s the more prince caspian moments in VOTDT that i prefer to his King Caspian moments that come through, like he’s KC during the working hours but more a PC when not on the job, but the sea serpent battle moment seems like a good and appropriate merge of the two or it could be that i have stopped making much tangible sense at all….:)
Well he’s always King Caspian in this one. If your saying in his down time he’s more like a Prince, I wouldn’t agree. He wasn’t very princely in Prince Caspian, except toward the end. A prince should act the same way as a king, but without the rank, and he was more like a boy in possession of the rank of Prince. Now he’s like a king, honorable, a good leader, but still a real person. The “Prince” you see is really just Caspian being himself, not acting like he did in PC. I like his personal moments in VDT much more than in Prince Caspian, because he has matured more, and Barnes pulls off the acting so much better. Hopefully I’m still making tangible sense! I’m confusing myself!
It’s probably the natural circumstance of the acting just being in sync. with the character arc, but the Caspian in the more flamboyant moments is more Prince Caspian to me (a good thing) where as the Caspian dealing with diff. conflict moments in this movie as a ‘King Caspian’ is less convincing or captivating to me – that is until they get to dark island, with the speech and action that follows; then for me the right balance happens in the merge of these two character traits of Caspian and way they are acted also.
An aside, i’m one who liked the accents in PC but natural accent has it’s fitting moments in VOTDT too, & helps for audience getting that each new episode is partly a work in of itself, which will be a factor in all the stories being successful hits with the wider audience’s interest over time.
I like him better as KC.It is more natural and he is relaxed..
he was SUPPOSED to be nervous and insecure in PC. So of course he now is more relaxed in VDT> he’s been king for 3 years. i thought he was great in both- bur handsomer in PC with the thick hair and tan, loved the accent too. it was weird seeing him change from spanish to english, it was more that just an accent, he looked like a completely different person, that was jarring to me. Course i’m a stickler for continuity.
I also like him more in VDT cause he’s more like a Narnian (without the fair hair, though…)
i thought georgie’s performance was strangely, noticeably flat in vdt. and for someone so personable in real life, it was odd to choose to be dull. esp when she says'”yes the picture is quite narnian, isn’t it.” and “not in this world” to edmund. and last scene’ “aslan…” kinda dead fish-like.
I disagree, I think it was just more natural, and if that is more “flat” to you, then that’s one thing, but I have to say I didn’t find it flat at all.
quite a few critics mentioned it
Thanks for the insightful review, Paul. I’ve yet to see the film, though I’ve read the books multiple times. This book has always seemed the most obscure in terms of plot. Every time I read it, the first third seems somewhat tedious, and the last third is where perseverance pays off.
I look forward to getting an opportunity to see the film. Would you recommend the 3-D experience as markedly fuller than the 2-D? The list of films that really, truly benefit from the 3-D treatment is still quite short, to my thinking. I’ll get the chance to see it in January, so I honestly wonder about your assessment of this aspect of the film’s experience.
I’ve only seen it once in 3D. However, David Sutton (Narniaexpert) has seen the film 6 times. He’s seen it an equal number of times in 3D and 2D. I wonder what he thinks of the 3D now.
Personally, I think the Green Mist looks and seems to live better in a 3D world. I also think that the 3D conversion was the best post-production conversion that I have ever seen. However, that being said, the film is still great in 2D. I think it’s personal preference, really. The thing that the 3D does to the movie is adds depth to the screen. Nothing pops out at you. But that’s as it should be.
I think there are some moments that really benefit from the 3D and some that do not. The entire Dark Island sequence was pretty awesome, with the green mist in 3D.
Sorry this is so disjointed, I just don’t want to steer you the wrong way. It really comes down to how you feel about 3D, 3D-Post conversion and 2D.
Thanks, Paul, but that’s exactly what I wanted to know. 3D parlor tricks and gimmicky things poking out at the viewer cheapen 3D as a film medium. Depth of field, as you say, is the best application of 3D in movies — that’s why it’s so seldom used properly. Until producers and studios stop treating it like a gimmick, it won’t stop being one, in my highly inconsequential opinion.
That said, I’ll opt for 3D, if I can find it in my area still. Thanks again.
No problem. I find it difficult to recommend 3D to people without knowing how they feel about it. I hope that it went well for you, and if you can’t find it, or do, see it again in 2D if you can. 🙂
I have to say that I loved your review, it certainly gives a different perspective on the changes they made, one that I actually agree with. I’m seeing it again this week, and will get a chance to really analyze it.
Thanks, Delpheas. I hope that it helps to you see it in a different way, and perhaps have a positive experience with the film, if you didn’t before.
I love your assessment of the film- it is definitely among those I have found to be the most accurate. You really do have to see it more than once- spoken as a person who tore the film apart the first time then merely sat to enjoy it the next. What struck me the second time through was the reference to the swords being from the Golden Age of Narnia and it got me thinking, as so little is written to say no such thing could have existed. It really does follow the spirit of Narnia, and gives me the thought that if Lewis were to see it, his reaction would have been “why didn’t I think of that?” rather than “How dare they change my precious Narnia?” as everyone else implies. I think he didn’t really have a chance to say too much more and would have had he been given that. We cannot already deny that even he changed a few things as he went on BECAUSE he didn’t have it all concrete when he began to write it. I think they did an excellent job!
Thanks! I definitely appreciate what you just said about the Seven Swords being from the Golden Age of Narnia. Lewis might have, himself, found that to be an intriguing storyline addition. You are correct in that Lewis himself kept making changes to things as he went along. In fact, it would have been better had he written them in the same way that Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings. Tolkien completed the entire work and then released the book in three parts. Lewis’ Narnia might have benefited from the same careful planning.
they were divinely inspired and just popped into his head, then he developed them. that’s different than plotting a book series on your own. it wasn’t his choice.
That’s a very large claim to think they were divinely inspired. Sure, he dreamed of the Faun next to the Lamppost, but the stories all came from him. You’re correct in that he developed the stories, and that is actually the same as plotting the book series on his own. It wasn’t God-breathed, it was creative writing, there’s a big difference there. In fact, he wrote The Magician’s Nephew a couple of times, because the first time he wasn’t satisfied.
woo woo, that’s cool I got a personal response, Paul! hey I feel like I’ve met a celebrity : ) anyway, when I get the energy, I’ll look up and post my sources. heck, it’s new years eve, and here I am geeking out on narnia again!
ps even last nite I was reading about someone who had a strange pull to check out the narnia books out of the library out of the blue and then eventually got saved. (i think on a narnia site) I myself was strangely drawn into the movie as if by a “numinous” event when I accidently passed by a theatre playing it and had no previous interest in it. It changed my life too. HEY, I WAS DRAWN INTO NARNIA TOO!! like the kids! cool, I never thought of that! It felt like a mystical experience at the time, you had to be there. (other more concrete sources to come)
when I look at the last battle, i find it very prophetic, more than just coincidental- like it had guidence from above.
Lewis was a great writer of theology.
I say, what a nice review! I agreed with just everything you said and unlike those other reviews that just criticize and criticize to be noticed; well, you are a Narnian fan so I guess your comments should be good. But all in all, excellent review.
I’ve only seen the movie twice but the first time I saw it I was chattering with a friend and I know I was wrong at that part so I saw it once again and appreciated it way more. This is actually the only movie where in the Narnia series movies that I actually like and love. Now it’s my favorite movie right after INCEPTION 🙂
I don’t go out of my way to love the movies like I do. I just find that has happened likely due to my looking deeper into things than surface level and allowing the movie to be the movie, and the book to be the book. I loved Inception as well!
Great review Paul and I agree with you on everything..There are changes but you get to like them after a while.I liked it a whole lot better the second time..It is possibly my favourite so far.The ending was classic and the best in all three and if they ever get to LB,I hope it will have the most splendid ending which brings memories far back from LWW..
I loved the movie and I hope SC will be made..We can pray for it..
“To God be the glory for everything” 😀
I agree. LB is a book I have ached to see realized in film for 20 years.
Some consider LB to be unfilmable, but I think that The Last Battle has the potential to be one of the greatest films of all time.
I AGREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! it could be totally cool!
I agree, I think LB has great potential.
Great review, Paul 🙂 I was initially a bit underwhelmed with the movie but it got better in the second viewing. One question: you said that in the book, Lucy kind of has a crush on Caspian. I cannot remember reading that part at all…can you pinpoint in which chapter/scene it is? Thanks 🙂
That was my bad, I had been hearing people say that, and just thought I had missed something in the book. lol
I didn’t like the movie (even though it taught a very good lesson about resisting temptation in a way people can understand) because I didn’t go to see a movie that they had made, I went to see C. S. Lewis’ book turned into a movie. But the book was lost in green mist! I kept thinking, “And this is supposed to be Narnia?”
I specifically read the book before going to see the movie, and I was very disapointed.
But I do agree that Eustace was wonderful in the movie 🙂 They got just the right actor for him! And I did like the twist at the end with Jill Pole.
Hasn’t anyone told you never to specifically read any book before going to see ANY movie? If not, then I’ll remind you: Never read a book before you see the movie version. 😉
It is there, but I don’t remember where 😛
I know it was because I remember thinking about how PC seemed to twist it into susan.
haha, if you can find it, let me know!
I thought this movie was very Narnian myself. I felt like I was actually in Narnia, just as much as in the other films, except in a couple places. I also thought that they turned a fair amount of Lewis’ book into the film, mainly the beginning and end.
I didn’t like the Green Mist, either, especially the whole “sacrifice” thing. That seemed really cheesy for such a big production (which is probably why it wasn’t very prominent in the trailers!) I just try to forget the Green Mist scene at the Lone Islands and ignore it when it tempts them in all places but the Dark Island.
As Paul said, it’s not a good idea to read a book right before seeing it adapted. I usually reread the book afterwards, which can be disheartening too, but at least you’re not as distracted from the film (“Where’s the carpet in the Magician’s hallway, where’s the thick carpet? Oh, we’re there already?”).
I myself had been looking forward to her looking into the weird mirror with the beard on it. and after seeing disney’s pre-viz art of the magician’s hallway, i was expecting to have a very suspenseful creeping up the hallway. Another lost opportunity to build tension totally blown by the director.what was he thinking? there was nothing of the sort if i remember correctly. I’d rather have spent time on that than a whole scene with georgie telling skandar to help with the groceries if i was pressed for running time. I didnt think they needed to spend all that time establishing the setting like that, and the scene with the bike seemed redundant from the last film. IMHO
I walked down the hallway that she walked down, when I was on the set. They did have big plans for that hallway. It wasn’t blown by the director, as they did have a moment of that tension (it’s there, look for it next time you see it). However, the hallway was going to be much more magical, as it was described to me while I was there.
that must have been TOTALLY COOL walking down the actual hallway WOWWWWWWWW
i remember thinking the sacrifice thing was something you’d see in a 50’s movie with the cannibal natives and a volcano- VERY cheesy ( and i am one who enjoys cheesy stuff, so what does that say for the scene? )
Honestly, it doesn’t say a lot for the scene. Reminding you of something cheesy doesn’t make it so to everyone that sees it. Perception is personal.
personally, i find that very perceptive of you-
i thought eustace was totally overacted, am i the only one?
Yep. lol
Eustace IS a person prone to overreacting to everything, so overacting is not a terrible thing for him.
yeah, but i thought the director should have told him to keep it more real, everyone else was acting inthe dry british manner and he didn’t really match the other actors. Although I thought georgie and skandar both underplayed it too much- they should have turned up the charm and will could have made it less cartoony. I thought Ben was very impressive and drinian and everyone else was great.
“Will the actor could have made his performance less cartoony”
Who are you quoting?
me, I forgot to capitalize Will, so it might have looked like will, as in will do, as opposed to the actor.
Concerning Lucy having a slight crush on Caspian, I thought that was in the book I don’t think it is very emphasized or has grand prominence in the book, however I think it is mentioned in the book. (I could be wrong as it’s been a while since I read the Dawn Treader book) Regardless I liked this subtle addition to the movie because Caspian is looking for a Queen and helps enhance Lucy’s character of longing for worth and acceptance.
or maybe just Ben Barnes is dang HOT! (sorry!)
Exactly, Brandon. Exactly my thoughts. It helped build on to Lucy’s story in a very organic way.
Well, you have definitely inspired me to watch the film again! Not sure when, but I’ll try to fit it in….
A very good review, I specially like the music played at the end “Time To Go Home” It is totally hearth breaking and the most emotional music I’ve hear about saying goodbye. This is why I love the movie very much, I’ve seen it 5 times now, 3 time in 3d and 2 times in 2d, IMO, I must say I really like the 3d version.
Our family saw the movie last night for the first time, having read the series many times (me) and at least twice (my girls). Like the review – one comment on the green mist. I found it a bit distracting, but noticed (I think) that it wasn’t incorporated into the dialogue much if at all. Lucy couldn’t see it in the mirror scene; Edmund/Caspian didn’t see it in the bunks… Having is be the invisible (or near so) creeping of temptation/sin rather than a tangible evil helps me be bothered less. We, from our perspective as the audience, can see much more of it than the characters do, perhaps. That rings true in life – it’s so much easier to see “the mist” as it attacks others or in hindsight. Not sure if I will “like” the addition, but interested whether those of you who’ve seen the movie multiple times agree that there is a difference in what we “see” of it compared to what is visible to the characters in the world.
I completely agree with that. That is why I compare the green mist to Wormwood in The Screwtape Letters. It does show itself to the Narnians from time to time, but not always. Especially when it is going to attempt to tempt them.
Good review, thank you!
One thing: this group might appreciate Amazing Grace, one of Apted’s previous films, as it has to do with William Wilberforce’s campaign against slavery in the 19th century.
Thank you so much for your positive and thoughtful review. I don’t know why so many christians say such hateful things. No one thinks of ragging on The Wizard of Oz, which was one of the best movies and a tragically corny book, one which presents the idea of good witches. The good of great movies will far outweigh what perceived “damage” is done. It amazes me that the angrier people seem, the more insistent they are that we see everything from their perspective. I loved the books, love the movie and see neither one as a challenge or a contradiction to the other. One wouldn’t expect a painting or a bit of music or any other art form to totally encompass or interpret a work exactly. The film stands very well and independently.
for an eye opening analysis of the wizard of oz movie , go to vigilantcitizen.com. that blew my mind.
i wasnt a book purist, but when i saw the movie, i couldnt believe the dumbed down script. this was not an improvement on a classic, or a restructuring, but almost a new plot. thats why people objected. i felt heartsick after seeing it.
i was just expecting an update on the bbc narnia, not a gutted shell of the book. i actually went and suffered through the poor acting of the bbc vdt dvd again, just to recheck the plot.
I wish i could have been in the test audience, I’d have re-edited this movie for them for free.
My wife and I watched the BBC version again after having seen the new one for the fourth time, and could not believe the glaring holes in the BBC version. Not to mention the dumbed down Aslan that is found there. However “accurate” it may be, it also reveals a lot of weakness to the story as written that the new film avoids.
Vigilant Citizen, I’m sorry to say, is very much a conspiracy theory website. (It attracts people that believe the name “Google” is a conspiracy, according to a comment that I just read. I wouldn’t put any stock into anything that they write.
sometimes theories end up proven to be true, Mr. Spock. : )
While true, and while there are some truths to some of the things they are saying, a lot of it is an attempt to kill the innocent things that people like for selfish reasons.
then you would more accurately say you wouldn’t put stock into “everything” they write, as opposed to “anything”. mais oui?
No, I wouldn’t put stock into anything. While some things they write about are based in truth, they are not, in fact, truth. Twisted versions of the truth are not truth.
critiques are not “hateful” if they are negative, it’s just an intellectual discussion, like the inklings literary discussion group had. the lord of the rings author hated narnia stories, and told that right to cs lewis’ face.
Now you want to talk about twisted values, check out the book “Wicked”. you take the evil witch from Oz and then make her sympathetic and wrap it in an attractive package of girl power, now that’s a huge distortion and a subtle promotion of evil. one more example of packaging evil as good and desensitizing people.
I’m going to see it again on Friday on my own in 3D this time. Though through understanding the conversation we are having on this sight on the viewing of the Dawn Treader, I am beginning to see the film in a very interesting way. My cousin disliked it completely. I don’t think she is open to these adaptions as I have become. I wonder if I can give another review about my second viewing of the film to help enhance viewers to see it more. Go Narnia!
I saw the first two movies before I ever read the books. Then it was hard for me to read the books as they are written in the sparse fairy-tale format. It was hard for me to connect the dots or not be bored as my eyes had been soo dazzled by the movies. Then, I read the Dawn Treader before I saw this movie. I can see how hard it is to adapt your mind to a movie that has been so liberally adapted- and secularized. (yes, I can hear some of you hissing at that : ) – Don’t get me wrong, it is very enjoyable as a movie, but it is a shame so much spiritual content has to be toned down to make it passable to today’s moviemakers and action-oriented teen boy target audience.(no offense teen boy gamers, but there ARE other people that wish to see movies too- that is the decision of the studio heads ). That wouldn’t have been done in the seventies or pre-1984. I call it the “Rambo” effect.
Did you see it again, yet?
Yes I did. In 3D this time.
Great review!!!
Also, I liked your reference to “reading people the first part of the book about eustace”, I read that a few days ago. I noticed that they even went as far as showing that eustace liked collecting bugs like the book says 😛
Also I liked both the green mist and the seven swords.
I liked the green mist because it kinda showed people who haven’t read the book ‘what was evil”. Like the part where eustace turns into a dragon, nobody would have understood that without that one little sceen showing the green mist. also the magicians book. It really helped the movie explain itself for people who never read the book.
Also I liked the swords too, it makes the movie come together very well, especially the sea serpent part. I LOVED that sceen(except for that ackward part where the lord throws the sword at eustace, I thought it wasn’t explained very well. You couldn’t tell whether the lord was trying to stop him or he thought the dragon was also trying to attack, even after the dragon helped him on the boat :?). But tbesides that that scene was very well done, it also gives edmond one of his biggest scenes ever in all the movies(since he didn’t get to do much in PC he made up for it).
i know , skandar wan’t in PC much , but when he was he was razor sharp- I esp. enjoyed when he read the challenge of a duel to miraz. It seemed to me, though, in this movie he was bored or something, not as clean and sharp of a performance, more like a walkthrough- not as witty.
like there was no twinkle in his eye anymore, and not mischieveous like the first 2 films.
That’s because his character’s story was different this time around. He had to step into the role of King. The book offers his character about the same.
I actually liked his personality the best in the latest two, but I didn’t like him in the first. I think he might have been a “little” better in PC but only a TINY BIT.
I felt he is capable of more in the performance of the character’s new attitudes, based on seeing his previous movies. He was SO special, and SO advanced for his age. VDT I felt he was average compared to his peers. Decent, serviceable, could have used a little better direction. I just kind of felt a vibe like he’s not as into acting any more, whereas before he was unmatchable. that’s just me , though. (He’s still attractive though, ladies- LOL)
Yes I do see what you mean. In PC he acted like he had learned something from his encounter with the white witch. In VDT he’s back to normal, sorta.
Going to see the movie for the third time today (in 3D with family) now that I’m fully over the changes from the book, I’m so excited to catch all the small things I missed!
What a fantastic review, I agree 100% as well. I cannot wait to see it for the second time, I know I will notice things I missed the first time. This movie is truly wonderful,I talked to a friend who saw it,she really related to some of the temptations the characters were having in the movie, it helped her understand them better,to be able to relate to them. Thanks for the well-written review!
Thanks, Elena! I have heard the same from youth minister friends of mine that plan to use the movie at meetings.
Just returned from seeing Voyage of the Dawn Treader for the FIRST time. (Sorry, we’ve been terribly busy since it opened!)As a long-time Narnia (AND CSL fan), I also concur completely with your review Paul. The deviations from the book were quite minor and served to allow the “jump” from the page to the screen in a way that tied everything together nicely.
I sincerely hope Fox/Walden keep going. They’ve done too good a job to quit now. This could be THE lasting legacy that they leave to the world!
It’s alright, man. I’m glad that you enjoyed it, and I hope that they keep going as well. It would be a shame to stop now.
I enjoyed your review and I agree with it 100%. I think this is the best Narnia movie so far. I have read all 7 books some of them more than once and I beleive it follow the storyline very well. I have seen this movie 3 times and i will likely watch it again before it leaves the theatre. I am keeping up with the amount of $$$ it has taken in and as of yesterday it was near $235 million worldwide. I know the director said he thought it should get to $300 million or he would be a little dissapointed. It took $140 million to make the movie so its has a nice profit and is still in theatre. Paul, how much do you think it will need to make to be securing us another movie in a couple of years? I would really like to see The Silver Chair and all of the books made into movies. I beleive they need to make The Silver Chair and The Last Battle at the least.
Good question. I hope VDT will secure an adaption of Silver Chair. Even if they don’t get much money to do Silver Chair, it can still do well. I’ve seen certain low budget films do really well. I would really like to see The Horse and His Boy and Magician’s Nephew done. Of course Silver Chair will probably have to be next.
Of course if they are to ever do the last battle they would need to do it soon.
why?
Because Will Poulter and the actress for Jill will be too old for the part.
Thanks for the review, Paul. I really enjoyed the movie the two times I watched it. One thing that kind of scared me was the fact that the White Witch’s eyes were green!!! I know it was probably just to emphasize the green mist, but still, it is rather frightening if it were to be a foreshadowing. But I did hear what Douglas Gresham said in your interview, so my fingers are crossed, hoping that they cast a new actress for the Lady of the Green Kirtle.
Yeah, me too. I really hope for someone new for her, and I think it could be someone younger but exuding power in the way that Tilda did.
Very good review. I just returned from seeing the film myself and really enjoyed it. The one problem I have with the swords (in terms of consistency with the Narnia storyline, not as a plot device) was that Aslan would not have given seven swords to noblemen in a Narnia dominated by the Telmarines. They were a conquering race that had invaded ‘True Narnia’. I know that Miraz was evil, but the Telmarines themselves were not supposed to be there. Aslan giving them swords made no sense at all.
Really loved the movie though. Given the fact they needed to keep within the time constraints, I thought they did a great job. I would have loved to see more of the Dufflepuds though.
hey, I never though of that, you’re right. I too wished for more dufflepuds, and the dinner scene,but, I understand DUFFLEPUDS ARE FREAKIN’ EXPENSIVE! lol doug gresham said he had to fight to keep them in. to me they are a no brainer-
I can see that, about Aslan and the Telmarines. The way I see it, perhaps when they left on their mission to save Narnia from the mist, Aslan appeared to them, knowing the noble goal that they had, and gave them the tools that he knew they would need. Not just that, but perhaps he knew that they might fail, but the swords would be a way for someone else to pick up the quest.
I would have loved to see more of the Dufflepuds as well, and the director would have also, but they were very pricy.
the lords were banished before aslan had shown up again after the 1000 years, they supposedly had the swords when they were banished, didn’t they? are you supposing they were given them way after they were banished?
re: dufflpuds-shoulda got em on sale
They weren’t banished by Aslan. Plus, Aslan was always watching.
i meant banished by miraz. that was sweet when you said aslan was always watching , he felt real to me right then : )
Right, that’s my point. Miraz banished them, not Aslan.
I have just seen The Dawn Treader for the second time, and I really enjoyed it. The first time I liked it, too, but was also a little confused by the changes. So I totally agree that this film should be seen more than once! The second time I knew what was coming, and I LOVE THE FILM!! I’ll go and see it more times.
I especially like the theme of overcoming temptations, and I adore Reepicheep! So if you’ve only seen the film once, do yourself the favour to see it again. You won’t regret it!!
yes, i intend to see it multiple times, and get the dvd, plus i got the soundtrack. I’ve brought friends too.
Thank you for your review, Paul. It’s fantastic and quite good. 😀
I’ve only just seen it a few days ago (I know, a travesty… really couldn’t be helped… stupid school, haha). I think I agree with Mark Sommers in that there were parts that I loved and parts that I really just didn’t like.
I SHOULD see it again. I was telling my friends that the second time is better, because you’re not so much in shock. I just have yet to go see it a second time!
So, that said, my first impression of the green mist was almost a snicker. I hate to admit it. It just seemed so Lost-like and was very sudden and very jolting to me. I was fine with the seven swords, fine with Gael, and I loved the changed progression of islands. I dunno, I suppose the mist was like: “So THAT’S what they came up with to make it less episodic? Huh.” I’ll watch the movie again though, because I hate disliking any part of a Narnia movie and I know it’ll be better second time around. (I did think it was a good reference to the Green Lady from the next one, though!)
Oh, and the quick reference to a certain new main character at the end made me extremely happy. 😀
All in all though, I really enjoyed VODT as a movie. The beginning and ending were pitch perfect, and many of the isles (especially Goldwater) were just how I imagined them. I wish we’d seen more of Ramandu’s Isle (or the dude himself), but that’s fine, and it was absolutely beautiful. I think if I had to change any one scene, it would be to somewhat lengthen the undragoning and move it to a forested lake. But no biggie, it was still pretty cool.
I think Apted really pulled off all the characters wonderfully, and that was the highlight of the movie for me. Everyone just fit well and grew well. Poulter did a magnificent job as Eustace, absolutely amazing! I loved Reepicheep this time around; he, too, was pitch perfect, and a vast improvement over the Reepicheep of Prince Caspian.
Anyway, I’m kind of rambling. Thanks again for your wonderful review, and I’ll be sure to keep it in mind as I watch the movie again (or I’ll become immersed and forget about everything…)
I hope that you enjoy it all the more the next time you see it! 🙂
Seeing the film again had just increased my love for the way VDT was adapted. I will admit that VDT was one of my least favorite books of the Narnia chronicles next to Last Battle. Overall I really enjoyed it the second time around. Also the crowd is increasing in the theater for the film, which is good news.
That’s how I felt about Prince Caspian – that it was my least favorite of the seven books, so I was excited that it was adapted in a way that I could enjoy it for years to come. (My favorite is The Last Battle, though.) Glad you enjoyed it!
Just seen the film for the first time and I’m still mulling over the differences between the book and film in my mind. I liked the end result very much but wonder why some of the changes to the book were made. To take one particular example that sticks in my mind, why did they make Ramandu’s daughter a star when the book only describes her as a retired star’s daughter?
The book also doesn’t describe her as “not a star.” The book also doesn’t say there were Narnians on the Dawn Treader.
The book describes her as a “tall girl, dressed in a single long garment of clear blue which left her arms bare. She was bareheaded and her yellow hair hung down her back.” Doesn’t sound like a white hot being from the heavens to me. It also seems more unlikely that Caspian would marry someone whose place was to “tread the great dance” as described by her father.
Sorry to be picky but I don’t see the need for this change in the film.
well,she’s at least half-star, unless she’s adopted. plus, that way she gets a cool neon dress 🙂
She did appear as described. Being the daughter of a star, however, gives license to make her even a half-star (her mother was never revealed, and as such it is possible that she was either a star or human).
Everything you say is perfectly possible. I just can’t see why in this instance the director felt the need to make the interpretation. To me it added nothing to the story.
Dawn Treader was different from the book, but all of the themes, plot lines, and character developments were mostly kept. there was no “kiss moment” like in Prince Caspian, where all of the book readers rolled their eyes or were in shock.
Here’s my review. It’s not as good or as in depth as Paul’s, but here it is, nonetheless. https://narniafans.com/vdt_reviews/review.php?id=152
i think i can say i agree with you 100 %!!!! wonderful review paul…thanks so much!
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (both the book and the
movie) is the best of all the chronicles of narnia. yet I have a
big question: was not supposed to all even before caspian
Telmarines, including Miraz, King Caspian IV and 7 lords, hated
aslan and everything about magic? then the seven lords received
gifts from Aslan? (seven swords). I hear about the continuation of
the saga, believe that the silver chair is made of?, Will Poulter
was excellent playing Eustace, I’d love to see him as the star of
the fourth movie, it would be fantastic. while in LW & W
and PC made it clear that the Pevensie return to Narnia, this
occasion the return of eustace was left in a possibility (-I will
return? – eustace question, -narnia MAY need you, son-aslan
responds). narniafans, staff and paul martin, congratulations!,
your site is the best!