I Liked To Watch: "The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

As a kid, the Chronicles Of Narnia were my favorite books. I must have read them a dozen times or more. I really enjoyed The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe film, and I was sure I would love Prince Caspian, too. Guess what? I did!

With a few changes that enhanced the book's story, co-writer/director Andrew Adamson and crew plunge us directly into the story of Caspian X (Ben Barnes), the orphaned Telmarine prince whose life is threatened when his aunt gives birth to an heir, giving his Uncle Miraz little reason to keep him alive. After his tutor helps the prince escape and gives him Queen Susan's magic horn, Caspian is injured and blows the horn, bringing the four Kings and Queens from boring old England back to their old stomping grounds, Cair Paravel. Only it's 1300 years later, and Narnia has changed. King Peter (William Mosely) has, too, he's bossy and rude. He even disbelieves Lucy (Georgie Henley) when she says she's seen Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson). He is willing to help the Prince take his throne, and rule Narnia while protecting the people who lived in hiding during the earlier reigns: dwarfs, talking beasts, centaurs and the like. But after a botched attack on Miraz's castle leaves the Narnian army in shambles, and Peter acting even more aggravatingly stuck up. Will some bold strategies save them, or will they resort to bringing the White Which back to help?

The film is gorgeously shot, with breathtaking New Zealand scenery and stunning costume and set design. Also, while it is a bit darker than the first film, there is some levity, even a little romance. I loved armed mouse Reepicheep, who helps keep things light, but not in a dumb kiddie-movie way.

The acting is topnotch, Peter Dinklage as the Penvisies' dwarf companion Trumpkin (or DLF, dear little friend) makes the most of his prosthetic-enhanced role, bringing gravitas to a character who could have been very cutesy. But it's hunky lead Barnes who anchors the film (and made this reviewer swoon), and the four child actors who return to their roles as Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are truly a discovery. Not an ounce of mugging for the camera, all are very believably regal and youthful. Anna Popplewell's Susan kicks ass, too, getting her archer on and taking down soldiers left and right while Edmund (Skandar Kenyes) plays a crucial roles in preventing a dark magic takeover.