| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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NOT a book review - again
by TamLin (movies profile)
Jul 11, 2008
70
of
93 people found this review helpful
Once again I find myself defending a movie from people that are disliking it, not based on itself, but on either the book or their view of appropriate. So, here we are again - a review of the actual movie. I apologize for its length.
First - the easy part. The music was perfect. I think, if its possible, they use the surrounding scenery to an even more dramatic effect then in the first movie. The attention to detail was spot on. It was a world you could live in and believe in.
Next - the characters. These weren't cut out doll characters; they had depth. The actors were superb and that included the voice actors for the animals. It was easy to understand Peter's frustration at being trapped in a mundane situation when his soul knew he was meant for more and Edmund was a true silent hero who had learned from his past and wasn't about to forget. Susan's knowledge that she couldn't count on good things lasting was heartbreakingly familiar and even Lucy learned that sometimes you have to lead instead of simply follow. There wasn't one of the Pevensie children I couldn't feel empathy for. Caspian is given the hero's journey from innocence to vengeance to true nobility and his actor carried it well.
And - the story. It stuck surprisingly close to the book in many areas but, not being the actual book, did, in fact, come up with some of its own concepts. Which anyone should have expected - its a movie. As for the new concepts - I enjoyed them. This was a darker, more serious themed movie - I find that the natural progression of the story however. The children are older and the story is about Narnia having been invaded and pushed to the edge of extinction. If you are interested in the spiritual message - its about living your life based on faith, not your own strength, even, and especially, when things get hard. I think, on either level, watching the struggle as each of the characters comes to terms with what was going on was very satisfying and believable. Peter's journey in particular resounded very deeply with me. It is a more violent movie - there are quite a few battle scenes (the choreography was amazing!) but if there was blood or gore I missed it. People do die in the movie and it means something when they do. Actions have consequences. I think most children are aware of what is going on in our world to some extent or another and will understand this. Parents should be aware of it however and make their own judgment call. That said - the scene with the hag and werewolf I would warn may be a bit too scary for the very young - they did a good job of keeping the feeling of real evil and danger alive in this scene. It was also one of my favorites because you feel how desperate the characters are to save the day even at the cost of doing what they shouldn't. Not a bad thing to contemplate.
I found it a very well done story and one that gives you plenty to talk about, and think on, afterwards. Very worth supporting. If possible I would say it is somehow an even deeper and more satisfying movie then the first one. And it had Reepicheep - can a movie deserve a higher rating? |
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