Sing me to Heaven

"You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember..."

Twice, in fact, hence the two banners. So now you get to hear me talk about it!

I know this is terribly late. All the rest of you over-achievers are over and done with PC. But I've had a couple requests for my review on the movie, so for anyone who wishes to read my opinion... have at it.

Before listing the pros and cons, my overall opinion of the movie is very positive. I think they did a good job capturing the tension of the story, the personality of many characters, (some more than others), and the beauty of Narnia. I am a total purist when it comes to this series, and it took me FOREVER to get used to the idea that they were going to stray from the storyline and not quote the lines exactly!!! *gasp* However, over time I became resigned to the bitter facts. And I have to say that when we went to see the movie, I was relieved by what I saw. I was able to look at it more as a stand-alone movie, than as another adaptation of the book. And I actually liked some of the changes that were made! But I'd still recommend that everyone read the books first, because they are amazing.

Now for the dreaded part of the review that calls for analyzing the movie and peeling it apart piece by piece. Seven pros and seven cons, like the books! See, it's... oh... never mind.

Selected Pros: (these are not in any particular order, because I couldn't decide on how to class them)

(1.) I really liked Queen Prunaprismia. She was quite different from her role in the book, but she charmed me. She was harsh enough to be a Telmarine queen, yet likable. I loved her hairdress when she and Miraz come out on the balcony after he was coronated. It was sparkly!

(2.) The castle raid scene was very well done, and was excellent for pulling you into the emotion of the story. It was just so tense and exciting, with the griffins soaring in, and the mice pattering through the castle, and the flashlight signaling, and everything. But it was SO sad when so many Narnians were trapped inside the courtyard at the end. Peter's reaction was nothing less than satisfying.

(3.) The baby centaur. Enough said.

(4.) The battle at the end, when the Narnians collapsed the ground under the Telmarine cavalry! *cheers* I wonder whose idea it was..?

(5.) Reepicheep was awesome! He was quite perfect, though the voice left something to be desired. I loved all his lines, and his fancy swordplay. Definitely an improvement on the BBC!

(6.) Edmund and Lucy's characters were very well developed, and both actor and actress did a fantastic job. Edmund was charmingly brief, all his lines were great! And Lucy kept her innocent nature, always looking for Aslan. Something the movie directors should have taken into account and played up more.

(7.) Aslan. Whenever they did put him in, he was wonderful. His eyes were so velvety... The story should have focused more on his power, but that goes in the cons.

Selected Cons:

(1.) So yes. Aslan was played down so much that I cannot pass it by. In the movie(s), he seems to be regarded as 'that one good guy', rather than the highest of all high kings. He has one line in PC, when Lucy asks him about what would have happened: "We can never know what would have happened." Which, in the context of the books, is not true. Aslan knew. He just didn't tell others when they had no business asking. "Stay in your own story," he commands. But in the movies, he seems to be just another game piece in the hand of fate. This is the most blatant flaw in the movies, and I lament the loss of the Aslan I know. Everything you know has certainly changed....

(2.) Susan and Caspian. Ick, bleh, disgusting. Why can't people realize that back then, girls and guys didn't think like they do now in our culture?? Nick's point was very valid: C.S.Lewis didn't describe the characters with enough detail for Walden Media, so they interpreted them themselves. And they supposed they would be attracted to one another. Well, maybe they would have been, but they wouldn't have shown it so obviously... Ugh.

(3.) Susan's not my favorite character in these movies as it is, but it was made worse by her fighting in the main conflict. She's Susan the Gentle in print, but a warrior princess on screen... rather inconsistent. I wish they had followed Lewis' description of her, instead of turning her into a totally different person. I like her just fine when she's with the archers, but it's a bit much when she's down there among all the men, flinging arrows into Telmarines, and dodging their swords.

(4.) I didn't like the drawings on the walls of Aslan's How. They were too primative, and I think Old Narnians would have been able to draw better than that. Sorry, that was rather random.

(5.) Miraz's castle looked too fake. Inside, it was fine. But from a distance, it sort of resembled cardboard!

(6.) Was anyone else bothered by the contemporary song that started playing as they were all saying goodbye? The song is OK by itself; it actually goes pretty well with the movie, but the contemp beat should be saved for the credits, in my opinion.

(7.) One last thing: I could not for the life of me figure out who that one older guy was who came forward at the end with his arm around Queen Prunaprismia. Does anyone know? That was just bothering me.

So overall, it's a movie worth watching. I just wonder what C.S.Lewis would have thought...

Further up and further in!

~Grace

All graphics from SpareOom.net

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

Yay!

5:51 PM, Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

I'm so glad your back!

Thanks, I'm glad you like both templates! =^)

I saw Prince Caspian twice, also, and personally, I think it was better the second time! ;-)

Your description of the movie was very good and I agree with almost all the points! Might I suggest that you make the con about Susan a little more clearer? You said you didn't like how she fought with the men, but that made me think that you didn't like her in the war at all-- not just down in amongst the main action. Does that make any sense at all? Clear as mud, right? ;-)

Just my thoughts... Overall, lovely post!

--Renee--

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11:27 AM, Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Posted by Josi

*in an annoying "opera baritone" voice* OOOOOOOOOO Graaaaaaace is baaaaaaaack. And nooooooooow we are glaaaaaaaaad!!

Huzzah! Now I can talk to you again. I have a lot to tell you too. But I'd rather tell you in person. As that is not possible, I'll have to settle with the phone. So expect a call sometme this week. ;)

That was a great post! Being the debating sort, I'm very eager to respond, but my response would be too long. So, I've made my response to your review in the form of a blog post of my own, which you can read here: <url>http://penniesforyou.com</url>. Cheers!

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10:22 PM, Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Posted by AuthorElf

I like your review; it's very good. However, I actually liked the Susan of the movie better than the Susan of the book. I agree that they went a little too drastic at times, but I really like her more as a warrior queen than a girl who's terrified of swords. Just my opinion.
~AuthorElf

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7:27 AM, Thursday, June 26, 2008
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot

Greetings! I am Capitola from the land of Hemlock. Well actually I am a 21 year old girl with an over active imagination, but anyways. I like Narnia too, REALLY like it. And though we have different views on the movie it seems that we both liked it :).
I did a review on it on my blog, but it is an older entry, so it may be hard to find if you would like to read it :). Anyways, I just wanted to stop by and say hi.

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12:31 PM, Thursday, June 26, 2008
Posted by mandygrace

Hello! I found you through Mellie's blog and thought I'd leave you a comment. :-) My family just saw Price Caspian last weekend, and we liked it! I haven't read the book (sadly), so I don't know how it compares. That's on my to-do list though. :-)

If you don't mind, I'm going to add you to my friends list so I don't lose the link to your blog (which I am SO prone to do - Lol).

Have a blessed day!
~Amanda
http://amanda-online.com/blog

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9:07 PM, Thursday, June 26, 2008
Posted by musicallyspeaking

Yay for Prince Caspian! I think I pretty much agree with you--overall I loved this movie, my real only complaint was the Susan/Caspian thing, even though it wasn't near as bad as I was expecting. Con #7: I totally agree, I was thinking the exact thing both times I saw the movie!

I'm sorry I've been falling behind on the comments, life just doesn't seem to slow down! God bless,

Toni

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5:24 PM, Monday, June 30, 2008
Posted by luvdogs07

I saw and wrote up a review on PC too, I wasn't too thrilled with the movie. I agree on a lot of your points, especially the Susan the Gentle fighting and the Susan/Caspian thing. =P

Oh my goodness yes, Reepicheep was SOO much better than the BBC. Lol

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5:34 AM, Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot

So, which is you favorite Narnia book? And Character?

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1:35 PM, Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Yes it has! Though I can't be too upset... After all, it's been a while for me too. =^)

I think I liked it better the second time because I got to see more of the details, like... like... Well I can't really remember anything that makes a good example right now... Just goes to show how great my memory is! =^P

Yes, I agree about Susan the Gentle completely! See, I haven't read Prince Caspian yet-- still stuck on The Horse and His Boy. Ugh. It's a great book, don't get me wrong, but definetely not as good as the first and second ones.

By the way, are you going to see Rio Rita?

--Renee--

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7:36 PM, Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Posted by grelb32

Very good review! I only disagree with one thing, and that's Susan being in the fray.

I think that if you follow the books on that one, it would end up like the BBC version, where Susan and Lucy run off at the beginning, and are not seen until the end.

I believe in the movie, they knew that Susan was going to not be in very many of the movies. Peter is in four, Susan only three. She has the least cameos of any of the Pevensies.

So to make her disappear for an entire movie, would just plain stink.

I believe that she needs more cameo time as it stands, as she is going to not be acting anymore, except maybe in 'The Horse and His Boy'.

I agree with the Reepicheep statement. His voice left something to desire.

~Nick

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9:40 AM, Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Posted by carygrant19

Nice! I like your thoughts on Narnia.........
I'm sure you've read The Last Battle......did you like it? I'm reading it now.
:)

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12:57 PM, Saturday, July 5, 2008
Posted by LittleSparow

Hi!

Thanks for your sweet and encouraging comment!

I enjoyed your review of PC . . .very well done. I strongly agree with your view of the Susan/Caspian romance (ick!) and the new portrayal of Susan. One thing I did miss was C.S. Lewis's sometimes playful, sometimes dry, humor. All of the snappy one-liners were funny, but just not in character with the books! Oh, well. :) All in all, I really enjoyed the movie. I'm glad you did, too!

Blessings,
Kori

P.S. Thank you so much for the award! Very sweet!

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9:00 PM, Saturday, July 5, 2008
Posted by grelb32

Thanks for commenting.

I guess you're right about Susan being way too overused in the battle.

Sigh... I still like it that they used her, though.

Hey, have you seen any Superhero movies?

~Nick

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9:15 PM, Saturday, July 5, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Why am I so funny?

I don't remember if I noticed the bear sucking his paws or not... All I remember was him charging at Lucy and Susan hesitating to shoot, then the dwarf saved Lucy for her, then Lucy and the dwarf were best of friends. Anyways...

I'm over halfway through the Horse and His Boy, so I should be reading Prince Caspian pretty soon. I can't wait to read the book, and then watch the movie a third time right after that. =P

I, too, am wondering what Rio Rita will be like... Yes, I'm going... on Saturday.

--Renee--

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9:26 PM, Saturday, July 5, 2008
Posted by luvdogs07

Hmmm... Nutella on Ritz Crackers.... sounds tasty to me! I was thinking of trying it on graham crackers too. =)

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1:49 AM, Monday, July 7, 2008
Posted by BlogBoy

I think Lewis would roll over in his grave, but thankfully the movie didn't have a good box office there. ;) Nuff' said on the movie, though. Like you said it is pretty much over with. I may write something on it when the DVD comes out though. :P

I saw it twice also and I didn't even like it! Man, I am a real Narnia fan. Lol.

RYC: Yeah, the good ornaments are really cool, we only have little lousy ones anymore though. A pity they stopped making them big.

Thanks for the offer on proLT. That would be great!

Rest in Christ Jesus,
Eric

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8:48 AM, Monday, July 7, 2008
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot

Voyage of the Dawn Treader is one of my favorites too! It is so full of adventure and we get a better look at Caspian. He is one of my favorite kings. He was so brave, humble, kind and yet not perfect. He had a temper and did foolish things sometimes.
My favorite human characters, I like Aslan too :D. Are Caspian, Peter, Edmund, Rillian, and Trian. Then the girls I like are Lucy and Jill. Lucy is just so sweet and innocent.

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10:24 AM, Monday, July 7, 2008
Posted by Ness

Yes! Good review! I think you just have to pretend it's a different story than the one in the book, because, well it is! I find it much easier to watch when you think of it like that. You didn't say anything of Peter in your review! How could you? What did you think of him?
I thought that as long as you were watching it as it's own thing he was really good, but that if you were trying to see it as an interpratation of the book he was just awful!
Anyways your definitly right about the Susan Caspian thing! If it were nowdays it could have happened but not back then.
This is really long! I'm sort of giving you my review in a comment when if you really wanted to read you could just go to my blog:)
I'll come back later but I think I have to get off the computer now!

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4:52 PM, Monday, July 7, 2008
Posted by carygrant19

My favorite in the Chronicles of Narnia........Oh, man! Well, it WAS Silver Chair, but then I read Prince Caspian again in preparing for the movie......I love both......have you seen the BBC Silver Chair?

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7:22 PM, Monday, July 7, 2008
Posted by mandygrace

Hello again ~ Thanks for the comment! I post more often on my other blog, but I read comments at both places, so either is fine!

Have a blessed day,
Amanda
http://amanda-online.com/blog

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8:40 PM, Monday, July 7, 2008
Posted by Earthling

I saw your comment on a friend's blog and thuoght I'd say hi from one Narnia fan to another...
thanks for sharing your PC analysis! I love hearing everyone's thoughts, and I congratulate you on not just saying you liked or or didn't, but examinging everything, like all the changes and stuff. I tried to do that too in my review on my blog--I'd love if you could check it out!

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11:59 AM, Saturday, July 12, 2008
Posted by gracealamode

i agree with you on this movie review. Pretty much what I thought of the movie, as well.
Can I add you as a friend?

Have a great day and God Bless+

I haven't seen the movie but........

4:55 PM, Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Posted by wonderland21

Your review seemed very in-depth.
I was told a little bit about it by my friends, and I also would agree they should leave the romance out of it! (save it for Jane Austin, people)

So ya, Anyways, good job!

a note from Rose

1:58 PM, Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Posted by Rose

Hello Grace Elizabeth,
That was a very good post on the subject, and your pictures were adorable. I love the Reepicheep one. I'm still working on my Prince Caspian post, hopefully I shall get that up this week.
Love to hear from you,
Rebekah Rose

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1:26 PM, Saturday, July 19, 2008
Posted by pearlsandcoke

Great review. I haven't seen the entire movie yet. :( I can't wait to see the end. I don't like that thing about Susan and Prince Caspian either. They shouldn't like eachother if only for the reason that they can't stay together in the same world! She knows she will be leaving again.

Edmund is my favorite character. They did such a good job on him.

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12:47 PM, Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Posted by MrsGamgee

I totally agree with you! Susan and Caspian was terrible!!!! Also, Susan would NOT have fought in the battles. In The Horse and His Boy Susan did not fight in the battle at the end but Lucy did. She was VERY gentle! lol!

Rosie