The third book and movie of The Chronicles of Narnia series follows the adventures of the younger Pevensie children Lucy and Edmund. Older sibling Susan is in America with the parents and Peter is studying for the University. They are living with their relatives and persnickety cousin Eustace who is not very happy with their presence. Lucy and Edmund are drawn to a painting on the wall of a rolling ocean with a tall ship in the distance when the waves start pouring out filling the room. As they break to the surface the three young people are in the middle of an ocean being rescued by the crew of the Dawn Treader in the Kingdom of Narnia.
A year has passed since Lucy and Edmund (Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes) had last been to Narnia. Eutace Scrubb (Will Poulter) who had always found his cousins nuts for always talking about what he considered a fantasy is suddenly thrust in the middle of it. His literal mind is having a hard time coming to grips to his predicament eventually fainting at the sight of talking creatures. Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) is on a task to rescue the seven lost lords who had ventured to find the corrupting evil that resides on the dark islands. They must find the lord's 7 swords to be laid on Aslams' table for the spell to be broken. Along the way they must endure different perils which has become the standard in all quest movies. They have also been warned that not only must they overcome these different hazards they must also face their deepest temptations that may have dire consequences.
Book fans may be disappointed that movie doesn't cover everything but the film is almost 2 hours which is about as long a younger audience can sit still. There are plenty of odd creatures to keep their attention like dufflepuds, magicians, minotars, fawns and Reechieep (Simon Pegg), the mouse. There's also scary green fog that makes people disappear and sea serpents. It's sad to see that Susan and Peter only show up briefly as they are considered too old and mature to return to Narnia. The story is left in the hands of Lucy and Edmund slip who easily into their roles as royals of Narnia after living in war torn England. Stowaway Eutace gives an amusing running commentary as he fills in his journal about the ridiculousness of his surroundings by not accepting what's right in front of him.
Director Michael Apted with writers Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, and Michael Petroni have created probably the best of the three films so far. The previous installments were fun and original, but didn't seem as cohesive as this entry. Plus it was nice that the 3D images did not induce headaches. Henley and Keynes were more polished, the special effects were more natural, and the stories was tighter concentrating on the quest, rather than long scenes on the wonders of Narnia. The edition of Eustace served as a perspective and comedic relief that left it open for more adventures to come. There were the obvious religious overtones, but it didn't beat one over the head. Outside of the tedious quest game levels the characters must achieve, the Chronicles is a good film for the holidays with the family.
(Review by reesa)
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