Movie Prince Caspian Disappoints - Big Time
If you've not seen it, save your time and your money. And preserve your happy memories. For the sake of full disclosure, I have actually (hold your breath) never read Prince Caspian, and I was still disappointed. Primarily because I've read enough of C.S. Lewis to know that they way they depicted Susan was ridiculous (and I have read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardbrobe). I shall have to read the entire series now, and stay away from the rest of the movies. Such a pity, because the first installment was done so well. Steve Altrogge:
For the first ten minutes everything was fine. Then things started going south. If you haven’t seen the movie I’ll try not to spoil it for you. But here’s a few things that frustrated me -1. Aslan is in the movie for a grand total of about ten minutes, part of which is dream sequence.
2. Instead of being friends like in the book, Peter and Caspian develop a junior-high power struggle
3. Susan has a “Saved By The Bell”-like crush on Caspian
4. Insert extended “Can we make this like Braveheart?” castle invasion scene that wasn’t in the book.
Also, 14-year old Lady Rachel expresses disappointment.
(HT: Josh Harris)
Comments
As someone who has read the book several times, I'd like to point out that Aslan really isn't in very much of the book and so it's quite accurate there. Regarding the power struggle, I think it was a very human addition to the story. The thing with Susan has been blown way out of proportion. Yes there is that ridiculous kiss at the end, and some flirting here and there, but big deal.
Regarding the castle scene, hello? This is a movie. Books and movies are two very different mediums and the pace of a movie is stricter than the pace of a book. Was the sequence in the book? No. Did it take away from anything in the book. Not really. There is hardly any dialogue in The Lord of Rings. Jackson and Crew had to add that. Why?
Because they were making a film and not a book.
Posted by: Jacob | June 18, 2008 11:13 AM
I really enjoyed the movie (which I saw right after the book was done).
I'm unclear who's review this is... but is sounds like someone who is a bit too uptight and is taking this book too seriously.
I'd also suggest reading the book before implying that the movie was not true to C.S. Lewis' direction.
I'd recommend it. :)
Posted by: Benjamin | June 18, 2008 02:08 PM
Hmmm......I guess I'll need to read the book. Doesn't Lewis say that wars are ugly when women fight? (Or that may have been in the first one.)
I also didn't understand why Caspian and Peter had no qualms killing the army guys, but not the really bad dude himself. (again, I'll have to read the book...)
Posted by: Alex Chediak | June 18, 2008 02:34 PM