Release Date:  May 16, 2008

Rating:  PG (for epic battle action and violence)

Genre:  Fantasy-Adventure, Adaptation

Run Time:  147 min

Director:  Andrew Adamson

Actors:  Ben Barnes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Sergio Castellitto, Peter Dinklage, voice of Eddie Izzard

The first film based on The Chronicles of Narnia book saga—The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe—did little to inspire hope for the second.  A rote adaptation realized with bland execution, about the best thing that could be said of it was, “Well, at least they didn’t screw it up.” Though faithful to the book’s narrative, the tone was flat, characters lacked distinction, and the aesthetic—while impressive—was generic.

With that as context, this can now be said: in every way that Wardrobe tried (or didn’t) but failed, Prince Caspian succeeds.  What was originally slavish adherence to the source has now become inspired cinematic faithfulness.  Characters and relationships that lacked emotion and complexity now come to life with camaraderie and depth.  And most importantly, the Aslan-as-Christ metaphor that seemed to be drawn merely out of obligation is now fully embraced.  Prince Caspian is a major step forward and finally represents the Narnia we’ve truly been waiting for.

Unlike the book, the film opens in Narnia as we see Prince Caspian flee for his life.  Long considered the heir to the throne (a seat his father held until his mysterious death), he is now threatened by the power-lust of his uncle Lord Miraz whose wife has now given birth to a son—an heir that Miraz schemes to take Caspian’s place.

Fearful and desperate, Caspian uses a magical Horn to sound an alarm that legend says will call back the ancient kings and queens of Narnia.  That royalty (as we know from the first story) is the Pevensie siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy—school-age Londoners who once ruled and brought restoration to Narnia, and the Horn belonged to Susan herself.  Through the magic of its call, the Horn’s alarm brings the Pevensies back to Narnia.

Upon their return, the Pevensies soon realize that while only a year has passed in their world, over a millennia has transpired in Narnia.  Now in ruins under the rule of Telmarines (invader humans led by Miraz), the kids must reclaim their positions as kings and queens and help Prince Caspian take the throne that is rightfully his.

The prospect of Prince Caspian succeeding seemed dubious as director Andrew Adamson has returned for this second installment.  One has to wonder if he spent a great deal of time trying to figure out how Peter Jackson got The Lord of the Rings trilogy right, because many of its successes are true here.  Not only is there more visual flair (both in natural production and visual effects), but it also serves as a great example of how to adapt a work of literature to film.