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The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Cast: William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Warwick Davis, Sergio Castellitto, Eddie Izzard, Liam Neeson, Ken Stott, David Walliams, Tilda Swinton.

Directed by Andrew Adamson, adapted from the classic CS Lewis book.

Story: Fantasy War Kids 2.

Running Time: 2hrs 24 minutes.

UK Certificate PG.

 

It's another summer kiddie-flick trying to part you from your cash. Narnia 2 may just be the first kiddie war movie, and in my book that's a Very Bad Thing.

Redefining the term 'child killers' If you were around these parts for episode one, you may remember me banging on about why it set a bad example for kids. Episode 2 may as well be selling heroine candy in the playground, because it's a lot worse. The irritating brats are back now, and on the slightest evidence they're off on their killing spree again. I think if I was in Narnia I would dress up in an Aslan suit and ominously rumble, "you must dress as bananas, children, and mingle amongst the townsfolk - it has been written ..." Maybe that would keep them busy for a while, and make them too embarrassed to start any more holy wars. It's the hypocritical preachiness I find so distasteful - they merrily chop and skewer their way through a No matter how earnest he tried to look, Aslan always looked like he was lion. million baddie kebabs in the name of Good (no blood though, mind, it's a PG after all), orphaning the children of anyone who happens to be wearing the wrong uniform, then when they finally catch the main baddie, the only one who you could actually argue deserves to die, they let him off! The eponymous Prince Caspian seems mighty narked that the broody evil one might have "killed his father," but the irony seems completely lost on them that they've just created a thousand orphans who are going to be thinking exactly the same about them. The bereaved ones are not bad guys, they're just wives and kids of soldiers who happen to live under a different ruler. How is that different exactly? Mass murder is fine as long as a talking zoo animal might approve of it, and you really really feel it's the right thing to do, is it? Why exactly is it acceptable to give our children this message?

Sergio Castellitto, the one who isn't crap. And ... breathe. I know, it's just a movie, I shouldn't care about that kind of thing. It just winds me up that a pair of tits gives a movie a 15 certificate, yet genocide-on-a-whim is deemed fine in a PG. But before I get myself into another what's-wrong-with-the-world rant, let's put the revolting ethics to one side for a moment. The special effects are rather impressive, with centaurs, minotaurs and, erm, badgers, all intermingling seamlessly with the human cast and, it has to be said, acting the central kids off the screen. All four of them are wholly unimpressive again and they do take up way too much screen time. The plot is incredibly random at times, giving the same impression as in the first episode - that it doesn't matter what happens, they'll invent some load of cock to get them out of a hole. I'm sure it makes sense in the book, where there's enough time to develop the ideas, but in the length of a movie - even a long one like this - it comes over like a child's painting. Random daubings of plot spattered wherever the author fancied.

Of course, accompanied by a big sigh from me, none of these shortcomings are going to make the slightest difference. The mighty visuals and the "Lord of the Rings Junior" feel will be enough to satisfy most viewers and so I have to sum up with the rather depressing prediction that you will, in fact, think I'm talking bollocks. It's shite, but you'll love it.

Oh, and there's a third movie on the way. Goody gumdrops.

I enjoyed this film: 2/5 (once I'd calmed down a bit)

I think the average moviegoer will enjoy it: 4/5

Testosterone Satisfaction Rating: 1/5 - normally a movie I consider not suitable for kids would score highly here - but it's for the wrong reasons.

To enjoy this film you should be: bemused by my kiddie-war rant.

 

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was released in the UK on 26th June 2008.

Please don't go and see it, it'll only encourage them.