Darth Sparhawk
New member
I personally want a good movie. Whether is that faithful to the book to me is not that important.
The Series is threatened.
- Thread starter Caspian'sQueen
- Start date
gogogoff
New member
and I hope the release it in DECEMBER
King Of The Hallows
New member
Personally I think we should all have faith in our Narnia..sure PC never stuck directly to the book...the kiss was rather holywood like I know but they added more things in for our excitment and to show what it is really like in the dark times of Narnia. I think VoTDT is going to absolutly brilliant and I cannot wait and Im going to stick behind it no matter what...I mean come on... its NARNIA !
I think that's just it, that's what most of us want to see: Narnia. We want to see what Lewis wrote on screen. Granted some things need to be adapted to the screen, but there's a fine line between an adaptation of a film and a film moving into the spectrum of fan fiction. PC crossed that line in a few places in my mind. Not everywhere, some scenes were wonderful adaptations. I loved the one with Edmund bringing the challenge to the Telmarines among many others. It's not like people don't WANT to have faith in the filmmakers, it's just that there's a great bit of broken trust for so many of us. We WANT to see it done well and we WANT to see the films succeed. But not at ANY cost. To stick behind it no matter what would mean that I've thrown my intellect out the window and decided to be a mindless person ready for whatever is handed to me. (and no, I'm not calling anyone names here) Sorry, I don't downshift that fast and have more respect for myself and for Lewis' work. If they give us Narnia, then great!
I'd love to see it! But it's got to be Narnia, and not something different with the name of Narnia slapped on it. It needs to be a good and faithful adaptation of what Lewis wrote. Lewis was a professor with a high intellect. He was a philosopher as well as an author. Most fans of his works over and above Narnia are a intelligent enough to test what is in front of them, to think about what it says and what it means. They are the worst nightmare for script writers in most respects because they don't turn the brain off and just accept anything. The bar is set exceedingly high. I think the franchise can handle it. I've met most of the producers, actors, Andrew, and so many more. They can field it just fine. The script will be the kicker. The investors themselves who want mindless, Hollywoodized work may end up being the downfall of the series due to financial constraints as well. That sort of thing may work for most audiences, but on the whole this is not one of them.To the filmmakers I leave a challenge: Bring it! Starting with the script, bring the "A" game. The rest of the production team does already and they're amazing at it...convince the investors, but with the script, bring it! Stick to the books!
Last edited:
It would be worth their while. Without a good script they're done before they start. No amount of special effects, great costumes, great actors, and such will be enough to save it. If they want to do other stories then they should do other stories. If they want to do Narnia, then they should stick to the books. That will bring the fans out of the woodwork.Absolutely! And I'll bet it will be worth their while too.
The more Hollywood takes over and makes it the politically correct, modernized, run of the mill, been there-done that sort of film (you know, the kind that pleases investors but makes the fans want to barf)...the less people will want to see it or care that it exists. If it's touted as a Narnia film then it needs to BE a Narnia film. It needs to stick to the Spirit of the books and characters in every way. I have NO doubt that the filmmakers are capable of this. They're talented people and nice ones at that. Really, they are. I want to see them bring it. Most do, but the scripts have been the weak link thus far. Hopefully the extra new people brought in will do better in that regard and stick closer to the book. Because of investors and the financial end of the industry, what gets put out with most franchises, and even independant films these days are "good films"...but they're not the great films that they could be. Not like they used to be when I was younger. I have an idea of the greatness that could be with this franchise. It's not unattainable and the people working on it are phenomial. I just hope the business end won't stay in their way to the point where things are ruined.
Most people I've talked to have said the same thing regarding VDT. It's a deal breaker...provided it gets made. They need to choose whether to go on with the Narnia franchise or not. They need to either jump in the boat or get out. If they jump in, there's no half way. The religious overtones of the films get more blatant as the series goes on and they're impossible to ignore. If they're afraid of that or are looking to change it, then they're in a boat doomed to sink. This was a given up front. They have a great opportunity here with this property...but they need to be comfortable with it. The end of VDT is a dealbreaker for most fans. It has to stay in tact and be done the way it's supposed to be done. It will have to have the Lamb and Lion, it will have to have Aslan's speech to/with the kids. If that's messed up, it's not going to be pretty.
Lord willing, we'll see what they can bring to the table. Time will tell.
Last edited:
faeriechylde
New member
Does anyone know how PC is currently doing (in financial terms)? I personally thought the movie was great... no it did not stick to the book entirely, but LWW also strayed several times (I actually thought PC stayed truer to the theme of the book than LWW did), and yet it did much better in the box office. I would explain all of why I appreciated the PC film even though it differed from the book (which I love, by the way), but I am planning on doing that in the "what did you think of the movie" thread, so I won't repeat it all here.
My main point is this: no matter how much you dislike the changes or the script, you have to admit the main reason this film didn't do as well as expected in the box office was bad timing. Many of the people who watched LWW had not read the book, so it stands to reason that the same should have been true of PC, in which case the changes in the story wouldn't matter to them. The real problem is this: Right now most Americans don't have the money to go see a movie 2 or 3 times if there are 10 other big movies in the theaters that they also want to see. Why didn't Disney release it in the winter? I know that in my case, I have a specific "movie" budget, and with all the other movies I wanted to see this spring and summer, I simply could not watch PC more than once (even though I loved it and wanted to see it again so badly), especially because with all the new incoming movies, and limited screens, my theater dropped it after a few weeks! ALL of my friends and family said the exact same thing. In fact, I know some people who had to pick and choose which movies they were going to see, and in the end chose not to see PC at all (even though they wanted to). Or, they didn't even realize it was out until it wasn't anymore. I also know a lot of people who go on vacation or to camp during the summer and can't watch movies. Why wasn't it released at a time when there would be less competition? I hope they don't make the same stupid mistake with VotDT.
My main point is this: no matter how much you dislike the changes or the script, you have to admit the main reason this film didn't do as well as expected in the box office was bad timing. Many of the people who watched LWW had not read the book, so it stands to reason that the same should have been true of PC, in which case the changes in the story wouldn't matter to them. The real problem is this: Right now most Americans don't have the money to go see a movie 2 or 3 times if there are 10 other big movies in the theaters that they also want to see. Why didn't Disney release it in the winter? I know that in my case, I have a specific "movie" budget, and with all the other movies I wanted to see this spring and summer, I simply could not watch PC more than once (even though I loved it and wanted to see it again so badly), especially because with all the new incoming movies, and limited screens, my theater dropped it after a few weeks! ALL of my friends and family said the exact same thing. In fact, I know some people who had to pick and choose which movies they were going to see, and in the end chose not to see PC at all (even though they wanted to). Or, they didn't even realize it was out until it wasn't anymore. I also know a lot of people who go on vacation or to camp during the summer and can't watch movies. Why wasn't it released at a time when there would be less competition? I hope they don't make the same stupid mistake with VotDT.
I agree that it ought to have been released in December, the normal time for fantasy-fare, it seems to me, a more magical time. But I don't think we can say that was the only reason the PC film didn't perform as well as LWW.
LWW has more name recognition; a lot of people read LWW that don't go on to read the rest of the series. Further, I think a lot of bad news about the changes to the film from the book had already leaked, so true fans were wary.
Then, if they were like me, they were totally shocked by all the changes and could not really enjoy the movie as a movie ... and if they had limited funds, as you say, they would not spend them seeing a disappointing movie twice. I happened to heed the voices of the kids on this Forum who loved the film, and I did go see it a second time, and I enjoyed it a lot more the second time. But I bet there are a lot of true Narnia fans who didn't want to "waste" their money seeing a film a second time which had already disappointed them.
LWW has more name recognition; a lot of people read LWW that don't go on to read the rest of the series. Further, I think a lot of bad news about the changes to the film from the book had already leaked, so true fans were wary.
Then, if they were like me, they were totally shocked by all the changes and could not really enjoy the movie as a movie ... and if they had limited funds, as you say, they would not spend them seeing a disappointing movie twice. I happened to heed the voices of the kids on this Forum who loved the film, and I did go see it a second time, and I enjoyed it a lot more the second time. But I bet there are a lot of true Narnia fans who didn't want to "waste" their money seeing a film a second time which had already disappointed them.
Elentari
New member
Welcome back, Inky! I missed you!
I know I was! I wanted to think the best, but the trailers put me on edge so I was definitely wary walking into the theater...Though I was still excited.
Sure, I loved the movie. As many people here have said it WAS a good movie...It just wasn't up to fan expectation of a NARNIA movie. I will definitely see it again when it comes out on DVD...It'll probably grow on me, like the changes in LWW and--off topic, the 2005 Pride & Prejudice--but that does not change the fact that, for me, it was NOT what I had hoped to see.
Really? Maybe we're not thinking of the same themes. My impression was that the changes in LWW (for the most part, even the ones I wasn't keen on) added something while not detracting from the main storyline, whereas the changes to PC were all over the place. I could still follow LWW and expect what was going to happen next 99% of the time. In PC, that was not the case.
As for watching other movies...My husband and I watched PC and Indiana back to back. They were the only 2 movies we decided we could afford this summer and we haven't watched either of them a second time, though we enjoyed both. I do agree that December would have been a better time, depending on what movies were coming out then (I can't even remember...)
I know I was! I wanted to think the best, but the trailers put me on edge so I was definitely wary walking into the theater...Though I was still excited.
Sure, I loved the movie. As many people here have said it WAS a good movie...It just wasn't up to fan expectation of a NARNIA movie. I will definitely see it again when it comes out on DVD...It'll probably grow on me, like the changes in LWW and--off topic, the 2005 Pride & Prejudice--but that does not change the fact that, for me, it was NOT what I had hoped to see.
Really? Maybe we're not thinking of the same themes.
My impression was that the changes in LWW (for the most part, even the ones I wasn't keen on) added something while not detracting from the main storyline, whereas the changes to PC were all over the place. I could still follow LWW and expect what was going to happen next 99% of the time. In PC, that was not the case. As for watching other movies...My husband and I watched PC and Indiana back to back. They were the only 2 movies we decided we could afford this summer and we haven't watched either of them a second time, though we enjoyed both. I do agree that December would have been a better time, depending on what movies were coming out then (I can't even remember...)
I agree. In other posts I have already argued the same thing. Changes that enhance or clarify the spirit of the written story are welcomed.
My example has been the addition of the bombing of London scene in LWW. Although Lewis never really said how it was for the Pevensies to leave their home and mother, adding that part helped both the fan and non-fan alike experience how it might have been for the children, both in the story and in the real London during the war years.
That was a welcomed change. The changes in PC totally took the story in another direction.
Elentari
New member
Exactly! I think that scene especially intensified how it really was during the war (something many have never experienced nowadays) and made the trip seem much less like a "holiday". Also seeing Peter and Edmund's relationship and the children with their mother. I cry every time.
I am all for enhancing and clarifying...I just don't appreciate changing direction. Examples of good changes: Caspian meeting Reepicheep. Not in the book, but a humorous and interesting addition. White Witch scene...Most of it was quite good and did not take away from the point of the scene (except for Peter's behavior). Examples of bad changes: Peter's exceptional character flaws. "Suspian" (no point!) Changing where and when Aslan comes into the movie (could have been done a LOT better).
How this affects Voyage:
Treatment of Aslan's role and lines (highly important)
Kingly behavior of Edmund and Caspian (don't ruin more good guys)
Kidnapping in the Lone Islands (wanna bet this will be different?)
Coriakin and the Dufflepuds (this could be highly amusing if done correctly)
The Magic Book (potentially AMAZING material here)
Maybe a bit more superficial...
The Dawn Treader (dragon head and purple sail anyone?)
Ramandu's Island (the Table, the Knife, the Birds...Come on. I want to see THAT. Don't make it cheesy or focus TOO much on the "romance" with the Daughter. This has plenty of room for expanded "clarification" if done well...)
Ramandu and his Daughter (Hair color IS important here as is what they wear and how they act...PLEASE!!!)
Eastern End of the World (mer-people...lilies...sweet water...glimpse of Aslan's Country...)
Dawn Treader has room for expansion, not more "drama". It has the potential to be a seriously good movie since it's an "adaption" of a seriously amazing BOOK.
If the series flops, the writers and producers (and the marketing people) have no one else to blame but themselves.
The bad timing was a part of why the film didn't do so well, but I think people are kidding themselves if they think that was the only reason. It was a big one, but regardless, it was on shaky ground with most fans going in. It still is.
LWW didn't stray as much from the book as PC did by a long shot. PC took it a few steps further, so either the franchise will learn to backtrack and get closer to the books or they'll lose the interest of the long time fans.
There are no guarantees with the rest of the series. I'd love to see it filmed if I thought it would stick to the books. If it does stick to the books great, if not, I'm not interested.
LWW didn't stray as much from the book as PC did by a long shot. PC took it a few steps further, so either the franchise will learn to backtrack and get closer to the books or they'll lose the interest of the long time fans.
There are no guarantees with the rest of the series. I'd love to see it filmed if I thought it would stick to the books. If it does stick to the books great, if not, I'm not interested.
Powl'
New member
well I thaught it was great, but I'm pretty sure they didn't go to theaters because people told them about the kiss, and it wasn't at all like in the book ...
Jane-Guard of the Volturi
New member
If I'm setting my hopes high... well... whatever. I don't like VODT, and I don't think it'll do well, but what about a Hobbit-esque H+HB in a few years? It doesn't need any of the origanal cast, and it has awesome potential.
While I'm wishing, a movie of The Thief, On The Run, Warriors, and Allana couldn't go amiss. =P
While I'm wishing, a movie of The Thief, On The Run, Warriors, and Allana couldn't go amiss. =P
Jane-Guard of the Volturi
New member
I mean I don't think that the general public (the non-narnia enthusiasts) will come out in droves to see it. =P I don't think the book translates well to a movie. Still, Silver Chair has a lot of potential, besides the fact that they have a whole new cast... just don't know if the returns for DT will be enough for a new movie. =[
I'm just waiting for horse and his boy. ^_^ *squeeness*
...I have a feeling I'll have to wait a long time...
I'm just waiting for horse and his boy. ^_^ *squeeness*
...I have a feeling I'll have to wait a long time...
Jane-Guard of the Volturi
New member
If Walden Media looks like they're changing the book to make it a good movie, then YAY! XP