In 2005 Disney took us on an extraordinary journey in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Three years later the sequel is out on DVD, and it’s all about “Prince Caspian.”
The four children who went back in time, saved the kingdom of Narnia and became Kings and Queens are back. For them it’s a year later, but in Narnia time it’s actually 1,300 years. Prince Caspian (the 10th to be exact) has been forced to leave his kingdom and he summons the kids to help him. They all join forces to try to defeat the evil Telmarines and give the Narnians their land back.
Many of the great creatures from the first film are back, though different talking animals star in this story – a badger, a bear and a very funny mouse. And the good lion and the White Witch also make cameos.
But “Prince Caspian” is not as good as the first film. There are too many fighting sequences and the story doesn’t give us anything special or new, except the Prince, who isn’t very exciting. In fact actor Ben Barnes plays Caspian as kind of a wimp, not a brave future king.
The rest of the acting is o.k., the battle sequences are well done and we do get some laughs, especially from the talking animals. But the magic of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is missing.
“Prince Caspian” is rated PG for all the fighting scenes and some mild language. It’s safe for kids, say, 8 and older. But it is 132 minutes long. Not as much of an issue when you’re watching at home, but a lot of kids will have a hard time getting through it in one sitting.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” gets a B.
It didn’t do very well at the box office so we don’t know yet if a third movie in the series will be made. “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is still on hold. If it is made it will be the last of the series.