The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (20th Century Fox)
Best of the Series
The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third in the series of movies based on the Narnia books by C S Lewis. In many ways this is the most simple and direct story and in the same way this is the best in the series of the movies. It doesnt go on and on about abstract and profound situations, it just does its job and tells its story.
The weakness in the film is that only two of the four original children are involved. Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Peter (William Moseley) have moved on. They appear only briefly in this movie. The focus is on the two younger children, Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edward (Skandar Keynes). They are called back to Narnia, along with their cousin Eustace (Will Poulter).
They immediately meet up with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) who is on a voyage to rescue seven important men of Narnia. Lucy and Edward instantly sign up for the adventure while Eustace is a reluctant participant. He is a spoiled child who gets mad if he doesnt get his way. That attitude doesnt work in Narnia and he is constantly being reminded of that fact by Mr. Reepicheep (voiced by Simon Pegg), a swashbuckling rat.
On this trip Lucy and Edward encounter a lot of peril, some of which involves dragons and sea serpents. Their lives are constantly in danger but they always know they are on the side of right. In the Narnia films good always triumphs over evil.
The religious element of Lewis novels is presented in the lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson). Aslan is the God figure and is always around if things get too tough. He also dispenses wisdom if asked and sometimes even if not asked.
Both Henley and Keynes are good actors but they dont have any special spark. This allows Poulter to steal the movie out from under them. He dominates every scene in which he appears.
The film is rated PG for mild violence.
This episode of the Narnia story is full of fun and adventure. In this day and age we take special effects for granted and so we are not impressed by dragons and sea serpents. Still they add to the fun of the film and to the overall enjoyment. The children in the audience will be especially pleased by the appearance and actions of the dragon.
This is a movie for the family, except for the younger kids. For them the sea serpent and dragon might be a bit much. For everyone else it is an adventure that will take you away from your world and into Narnias. There you will be secure in the fact good triumphs each and every time.
I scored The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader an adventurous 6 out of 10.
