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I must admit, I expected the worst but was surprised at its execution and potential. It’s still not great but it’s a definite improvement over the first (a film I really disliked).
Narnia looked fantastic. The CG was pretty convincing and even the acting was decent, but its striking similarities to other films of the genre stick out like a sore thumb. Puss in Boots (cat) from Shrek is basically Reepicheep (mouse) from Narnia (both films directed and written by the same person no less). Gimli from LOTR is basically Trumpkin, both are dwarves that provide comedy relief at the expense of their height. Susan is Legolas, the Trees in Narnia are uh… the Ents, and the list goes on. I understand that it’s directly from the books but really…
And then there’s the story and its themes – remarkably mystical, spiritual, dark and intriguing. Which then quite rapidly descends into absurdity (a casual and almost joyful sword fight to the death while the youngest embarks on a suddenly-out-of-nowhere mission into the forest?). I haven’t read the books, so I’m probably missing out on a lot but the film should still be able to stand on its own two feet. It should make logical sense. The characters should be making decisions that are believable, not suicidal. Granted this instalment of Narnia doesn’t seem to dumb it down as much as you’d expect but I feel I’m always missing something crucial.
Thinking back I realised why that is. The film doesn’t actually explain anything in any kind of detail. It’s not subtle, it’s just absent. From Lucy’s gourd of resurrection to everyone’s obsession with Aslan (yes JC etc), there’s obviously more to it but it’s glossed over. It’s this woefully under realised potential that is most frustrating but perhaps that’s the whole point…?
Am I on the right track? Would anyone be so kind as to lend me a copy of The Chronicles of Narnia?