Anybody else seen this one yet? I went last night at midnight and have been enjoying the physical effects of only sleeping 2 hours last night after still having to get up for work on time today.
The movie itself I absolutely loved, though the 3D work was not done well at all. I'll probably go see it again on a standard screen just so I don't have to hate the poor 3D the whole time.
But aside from that glaring problem, I was really happy with the movie. It's not the best at following the book's plot by a longshot, but there were some outstanding acting performances - my two favorites were definitely Reepicheep and Eustace (that kid was INCREDIBLE). And I'm a sucker for C S Lewis's work in the first place, so it was nice to see this movie hold true to what he was going for when he wrote the book.
I haven't seen it yet, but I will when I can. How much did it depart from the book? I prefer staying true to the original work as much as possible, which is why I'm curious. I hope this one does well; Prince Caspian didn't even make budget and if this one doesn't do well they might not finish out the series.
Quote from: Enchantermon on December 10, 2010, 09:30:44 PM
Prince Caspian didn't even make budget...
Wikipedia disagrees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia:_Prince_Caspian).
I see. I got my info from IMDB, but missed that what I saw was only the USA gross.
I saw the movie today, and it was good. I'll be the first to admit I haven't actually read C.S. Lewis' books, but I do plan to change that someday.
Also, the following must be stated: The first two modern Narnia films were done by disney. However, after the performance of Prince Caspian, Disney dropped the franchise. Fox picked it up. Whether or not Fox will continue with the franchise unknown, but I hope they do.
And yes, Eustace WAS amazing, I must admit.
I think that the Narnia stories are much better as books (speaking from my experience of having read and watched TLtWatW). The books have a nice sort of childish charm to them, whereas the movies feel...hm, how to put this right...small and un-engrossing. I'm not a huge fan of Harry Potter, but the film series felt significant and engrossing (LoTR as well).
Maybe it's the lack of scale in the Narnia series; I'm not sure. They just feel like a high school production relative to other similar fantasy movies, imo.
Quote from: kindofdoon on December 10, 2010, 10:24:20 PM
I think that the Narnia stories are much better as books (speaking from my experience of having read and watched TLt***W). The books have a nice sort of childish charm to them, whereas the movies feel...hm, how to put this right...small and un-engrossing. I'm not a huge fan of Harry Potter, but the film series felt significant and engrossing (LoTR as well).
Maybe it's the lack of scale in the Narnia series; I'm not sure. They just feel like a high school production relative to other similar fantasy movies, imo.
First of all, I must put this out there: The harry potter movies as of late, with the exception of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, have made me want to puke. The books were far better, and the movies focused too much on special effects and completely butchered the plot. As for Narnia, I've never read the books, so I can't attest to how well they do or don't compare to the movies. But I think that Disney's version of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is the best of the narnia movies so far. Granted, the first exposure to Wardrobe was an animated version from YEARS ago that I rented from my once local library's kids section. Said kid's section has since been flooded, with most of the books and videos contained within destroyed. If I could find that animated version again, I'd be so happy. That was a staple of my childhood. But after Dawn Treader, I am really compelled to read the whole series of books... I just gotta buy em... I wonder if iBooks has them... *wanders off to check*
I liked Prince Caspian. I didn't mind about the darker feeling and thought that it actually helped to enhance the feeling of despair to the situation. Plus, Ben Barnes is nice to look at ;D Aside from all of that. I hope to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader this break.
Quote from: waltzdancing on December 10, 2010, 10:45:49 PM
I liked Prince Caspian. I didn't mind about the darker feeling and thought that it actually helped to enhance the feeling of despair to the situation. Plus, Ben Barnes is nice to look at ;D Aside from all of that. I hope to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader this break.
Ben Barnes is very nice to look at... ;) (Yay for inside conversations that no one will know about! For a time anyway XD) speaking of inside conversations, I should get started writing that forum post... but my school work is yelling at me. *yells at finals to shut up and let him watch his TV*
But yes, definitely see Dawn Treader. It was good, though I thought the CG for the dragon wasn't too great... For me, it kind of broke the live action aspect of the movie for those particular scenes, but that's probably just me...
I go to a movie for the story, not the effects. That's why I fell asleep during Avatar. That's why adventure games are so much better than first person shooters or things. Adventure games have a story.
Quote from: waltzdancing on December 10, 2010, 11:10:00 PM
I go to a movie for the story, not the effects. That's why I fell asleep during Avatar. That's why adventure games are so much better than first person shooters or things. Adventure games have a story.
I try to tell my friends this, and they just laugh at me. Apparently, head shots are all the rage. But I still prefer adventure games to Call of Duty. Dare I even say it, but I'll take a good adventure game over Assassin's Creed. And I LOVE assassin's creed.
As for movies, I feel that effects have a place in a film, but I feel that there must be a perfect balance between effects and story. I have yet to see a film that accomplishes such a feat. Though the original Highlander was good... (Yes, I am a bit of a Highlander nut...)
The original three Star Wars feel more real to me than the more recent ones because I can tell the effects are fake. I guess I am a sucker for cheap movies.
Quote from: dark-daventry on December 10, 2010, 10:37:42 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on December 10, 2010, 10:24:20 PM
I think that the Narnia stories are much better as books (speaking from my experience of having read and watched TLt***W). The books have a nice sort of childish charm to them, whereas the movies feel...hm, how to put this right...small and un-engrossing. I'm not a huge fan of Harry Potter, but the film series felt significant and engrossing (LoTR as well).
Maybe it's the lack of scale in the Narnia series; I'm not sure. They just feel like a high school production relative to other similar fantasy movies, imo.
First of all, I must put this out there: The harry potter movies as of late, with the exception of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, have made me want to puke.
To clarify, I am not a fan of the series. They are fun to watch, but I do not consider them good movies.
Quote from: dark-daventry on December 10, 2010, 10:11:01 PMAlso, the following must be stated: The first two modern Narnia films were done by disney. However, after the performance of Prince Caspian, Disney dropped the franchise. Fox picked it up. Whether or not Fox will continue with the franchise unknown, but I hope they do.
I didn't know that. I hope they do as well, provided they don't butcher them.
Quote from: Enchantermon on December 11, 2010, 12:13:09 PM
Quote from: dark-daventry on December 10, 2010, 10:11:01 PMAlso, the following must be stated: The first two modern Narnia films were done by disney. However, after the performance of Prince Caspian, Disney dropped the franchise. Fox picked it up. Whether or not Fox will continue with the franchise unknown, but I hope they do.
I didn't know that. I hope they do as well, provided they don't butcher them.
Don't get your hopes up for that. We're talking about hollywood. They've already butchered my childhood. That Smurf's trailer STILL gives me nightmares. Why hollywood, why? Why are you doing a live action/cg smurfs movie? Do you take pleasure in killing my childhood? And please, leave Buffy the Vampire Slayer alone. Allow her to die with dignity. If you won't involve Joss Whedon, you know, only the guy who INVENTED the whole idea, then, please don't bother... I could go on for hours about how my childhood has been ruined because of hollywood, but I'll spare everyone that burden, especially considering this topic is about the chronicles of narnia, not hollywood as a whole...
I do have hope, though, as long as Douglas Gresham stays involved. He's been adamant about sticking to C. S. Lewis' themes and vision, so as long as he's there keeping an eye on things, I have hope.
Was he involved in Dawn Treader at all? What role did he play in Wardrobe and Caspian? (by role, I mean production role. By the sounds of it, he's involved with the production and development of the movie, not the acting side of it...)
He was co-producer of Wardrobe and Caspian and Executive Producer of Dawn Treader.
Ok, good to know. What's better, co-producer or executive producer? I'm not that enlightened to the process of how a movie is made...
I have no idea, to be honest. An executive producer sounds like he's higher up on the approval chain, but I don't know how the movie hierarchy really works.
OH MY GOSH! I'm so glad to see a thread about this movie! I saw it last night--it was by far better than Prince Caspian, and was so true to the book. I, too, am a "sucker for CS Lewis' work," and I was completely happy with this movie. The Chronicles of Narnia touches me on such a deep religious level, and the director of VotDT did an awesome job making this the slap-you-in-the-face Christian allegory it as intended to be. :)
I brought an entire box of tissues with me to the theatre and they were well utilized. My absolute favorite line from the whole Chronicles was included (!!!): "...in your world I go by a different name. You must learn to know me by that name. That is the very reason you were brought to Narnia; that by knowing me here for awhile, you may know me better there." GAH! :'( Such a powerful line. Such a powerful movie!
I expect that they'll make The Silver Chair into a movie, which would be okay, but I'll be curious to see if they'll do The Last Battle. It would be tough to translate that concept onto the big screen.
Quote from: kindofdoon on December 10, 2010, 10:24:20 PM
I think that the Narnia stories are much better as books (speaking from my experience of having read and watched TLt***W).
I just have to start by saying how hard I laughed on seeing that the board censored that because the acronym inadvertently spelled a naughty word in the middle of it. It's like when the board censored me for mentioning the title of a certain classic novel involving a white whale...
Anyway, I haven't seen this film yet, but I'm looking forward to it. This was always my favorite book of the series growing up. As an adult, I'm more partial to Silver Chair, which has a darker tone, and The Last Battle, which is just epic and heartbreaking (the worlds within worlds talk at the end of the book still gives me goosebumps). In particular I'm looking forward to seeing how they handle the nightmare land and the edge of the world. In this book especially there could be the temptation of the movie makers to go overboard with the dragons and the sea monster. I hope that they keep perspective and handle the deeper themes and more subtle moments of the movie and don't just settle for eye candy.
And I also hope its successful because I really want to see the rest of the movies made. Like I said, Silver Chair is just fantastic, and I'd really be interested in seeing Magician's Nephew. I think that would make a really interesting movie. And of course I would love to see The Last Battle on screen. That would be incredible. It was such a good book and a perfect end to the series.
I didn't like the Last Battle. I was so confused by the ending, but I do want to see The Silver Chair be made. I loved that one too.
When I read the series, I honestly had no idea that it even had Christian allegory, though it does explain the Last Battle. I was so confused. Still Voyage of the Dawn Treader was fun to read, and I can't wait to see the movie. I hope they do the Silver Chair and the Magician's Nephew too.
Quote from: LadyTerra on December 12, 2010, 12:29:52 AM
When I read the series, I honestly had no idea that it even had Christian allegory, though it does explain the Last Battle. I was so confused. Still Voyage of the Dawn Treader was fun to read, and I can't wait to see the movie. I hope they do the Silver Chair and the Magician's Nephew too.
As my friend and I were walking out of The Dawn Treader, she was explaining to me that the whole Chronicles of Narnia series is basically a re-telling of the bible, with the characters and settings replaced with animals and magic and such. I'll be the first to openly admit I'm not religious, and as such have not yet the bible (nor do I plan to) but the idea of a book series (a masterpiece at that) essentially boiling down to a retelling of such an influential piece of writing is certainly an intriguing concept. And I do intend to read the Chronicles of Narnia series someday, it just depends on when I can get the time and when I can obtain copies of the series. With college eating away at my life, I've got no time to do anything but homework.
I too am hoping to see the other books done as movies, though I'm not too sure about A Horse and His Boy - I don't really see that one doing as well as a movie as the other remaining three.
Agreed, Weldon. Plus, the Pevensie kids aren't in that one too much, and I could see people getting confused as to why this Shasta is important, and wondering what he has to so with the story. That's another reason why I think that The Last Battle wouldn't do too well--it mainly focuses on the animals of Narnia, and on a prince who is based waaay in the future. The Pevensies don't show up until the end.
Yeah Horse and His Boy was easily my least favorite of the books. I think that Last Battle could be incorporated more easily as the kids do show up and it's got all of them.
[spoiler]Well almost all. I don't know if the writers and producers would have the guts to actually do the movie without Susan. Personally, I found that heartbreaking in the books that she fell away from Narnia. Of course that was completely eclipsed by the emotion of what actually ended up happening, how they really got to Narnia, and how everything ended not only for the kids but also for Narnia.[/spoiler]
Anyway, I really do hope they end up doing all the books. They keep getting darker. Magician's Nephew in particular could come off as very surreal and eerie with the world between the worlds, the White Witch's dying world, and of course the creation of Narnia. I'd love to see that one. We'd just have to see Horse and his Boy first though...
Quote from: Damar on December 13, 2010, 10:02:20 PM
[spoiler]Personally, I found that heartbreaking in the books that [Susan] fell away from Narnia. Of course that was completely eclipsed by the emotion of what actually ended up happening, how they really got to Narnia, and how everything ended not only for the kids but also for Narnia.[/spoiler]
Oh my gosh, I can't talk about the ending of The Last Battle without breaking into physical, gut-wrenching sobs. Not just because, obviously, it's sad, but because it's so
good. No joke--I cried for two weeks after finishing The Chronicles. When I was trying to describe to my mom what happens to Susan, that's more or less when I lost it. But did you notice that in the VotDT movie [spoiler]the director already seemed to be phasing Susan out? In The Last Battle the Pevensies mention that she is "no longer a friend to Narnia" and go on to talk about how she only cares about "lipsticks and invitations." When Susan writes to Lucy in the VotDT movie, she only briefly mentions Narnia, but goes on and on about how she's been invited to this party and that event. I feel like they were setting the audience up for Susan's eventual departure from the stories, and trying to show everyone where her priorities were beginning to lie.[/spoiler]
I haven't seen it yet, but plan to in a day or two.
[spoiler]That definitely sounds like they're alluding to phasing Susan out, though. I have to give the writer credit for doing that. It's not something you would normally see in a movie series. A character dying or sacrificing themselves is one thing, but a character who just falls away and decides that they'd rather live a shallow, superficial life is something completely different. What happened to Susan was absolutely heartbreaking, but also fairly realistic, and yet another allegory regarding religion, though in this case instead of theology, it's the belief in religion versus surrender to the world.[/spoiler]
And yeah, the ending of the Last Battle is so good. It's not just emotional, but so well written and it has a perfect symmetry to it referring to the beginnings and endings. And just the total surrealism with the stable versus Aslan's country. The whole book is absolutely epic and easily the best of the series. I desperately want to see it as a movie. Plus, it has all the makings of a summer blockbuster. Anti-christ? Check! Demons? Check! Massive battles? Check! Apocalyptic plot? Check! Heartbreaking ending? Check! Talking donkey? Check! It has everything!
Damar, the fact that you know your Narnia makes me love you! :iluvu:
You know the series! I think I might be falling for you...;)
Quote from: Damar on December 13, 2010, 10:27:58 PM
And just the total surrealism with the stable versus Aslan's country.
You're going to make me cry again! :D The ending (beginning?) of the series is absoutely the most powerful, moving thing I have ever ecountered in a novel. The quote that Lucy makes about the stable ("Yes," said Queen Lucy. "In our world too, a Stable once held something inside it that was bigger than the whole world.") is just such a pure, innocent statement that truly magnifies the symbolism behind the stable ("The Shadowlands") versus The True Narnia.
Do see the movie! :) It's pretty true to the book, and Liam Neeson's voice as The Lion just gives me chills.
Regarding Susan, I think that if The Last Battle is made, they will mention what happened to her. As I said before, Douglas Gresham is heavily involved in these movies making sure that they stay true to C. S. Lewis' themes, and that's one of the more important ones, theologically speaking. I hated it also, and it still saddens me whenever I think about it, but it needs to be there, and I bet Gresham would agree.
In other news, I may be seeing Voyage tonight! :D
Quote from: Enchantermon on December 14, 2010, 09:42:36 AM
As I said before, Douglas Gresham is heavily involved in these movies making sure that they stay true to C. S. Lewis' themes
Thank Aslan for that! :)
Quote from: Enchantermon on December 14, 2010, 09:42:36 AM
In other news, I may be seeing Voyage tonight! :D
:partyhat:
Quote from: Haids1987 on December 14, 2010, 01:55:47 PMQuote from: Enchantermon on December 14, 2010, 09:42:36 AM
In other news, I may be seeing Voyage tonight! :D
:partyhat:
Sad day...the friend who invited me had to move it to Wednesday because he wanted his wife to go too, and Wednesday was the only possible day for her. Unfortunately, I have praise team practice during showtime on Wednesday, so I can't go. :(
I may go on my own at some point this week, though; I dunno.
Awww, too bad. :( The waiting will make it all the better, though!
Quote from: Haids1987 on December 13, 2010, 10:51:14 PM
Damar, the fact that you know your Narnia makes me love you! :iluvu: You know the series! I think I might be falling for you...;)
Aw, you're gonna make me blush!
Quote from: kindofdoon on December 14, 2010, 07:19:14 PM
Quote from: Enchantermon on December 14, 2010, 07:13:44 PM
praise team
What is that?
The praise team in my church. We lead the musical worship every Sunday.
Quote from: Haids1987 on December 14, 2010, 07:16:34 PM
Awww, too bad. :( The waiting will make it all the better, though!
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping. :)
I saw it today. There were times during the movie when I forgot it was a 3D movie, even with the glasses on. There wasn't anything that I recall jumping out of the screen to remind you. It just seemed 3D for 3Ds sake as if just setting a standard. In the end I wasn't completely satisfied, seemed like golden compass all over again, but the ending did leave me wanting a sequel, hopefully it will be announced soon.
Just saw the movie. It was good but I wasn't a fan of the stuff they added. Voyage the book was all about the journey, and I get that the writers of the movie want to create an antagonist, but it just didn't work for me. The whole mist thing just didn't make sense. And the swords just seemed like a convenient way of fixing everything. It all seemed tagged on. But the part that bugged me was that in trying to create an evil antagonist, the writers simply created a vague, unexplained evil. What was the mist? Why was it evil? Why did it pull a Ghostbusters moment at the end (seriously the sea serpent was the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man)? Why couldn't the movie just be about the journey?
I found it interesting that the movie shied away from Eustace's transformation back, but I guess as it was written in the book would have been too graphic for kids? Then again the BBC version had all the clawing and scraping, so I just don't know. And I don't know why they didn't have the old dragon! That was a fairly important point that the lord turned into the dragon too! The way they left it in the film was just a human wearing the bracelet. Why didn't he transform in the movie? It just seemed like an odd choice not to have that.
I also wanted more with the stars. Ah well.
All that said though, the movie was enjoyable. Eustace was really annoying, but that was the point. We got to see Reepacheep's little canoe at the end, which I loved. And I just beamed a smile when I heard Jill Pole mentioned at the end. Yeah, Eustace shouldn't know her until he goes off to school, but who cares? It's Jill freakin' Pole! Now go make Silver Chair!
So yeah, I enjoyed it, but at the same time there was stuff that I just didn't feel worked. Then again, Voyage of the Dawn Treader would be difficult to make into a movie because it's a central plot, but lots of little points of interest that makes it more like a series of vignettes. So I appreciate that they were trying to centralize the plot more. It just didn't work, unfortunately. Still, over all, enjoyable movie. Now they need to get working on Silver Chair because God knows we need to get some Puddleglum up in here!
I found an interesting review of it here, which does explain some of C. S. Lewis' story.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/2532-The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-Voyage-of-the-Dawn-Treader
Quote from: Damar on December 15, 2010, 09:30:15 PM
I found it interesting that the movie shied away from Eustace's transformation back, but I guess as it was written in the book would have been too graphic for kids?
That was disappointing to me too. It is such an important scene in the book, and so symbolic. They totally left that scene lacking, with only a brief mention of it hurting. Too bad. And speaking of disappointing, they totally just skimmed through the Dufflepud island. That was my favorite island in the book, and it was barely shown! :(
Quote from: Damar on December 15, 2010, 09:30:15 PM
And I just beamed a smile when I heard Jill Pole mentioned at the end. Yeah, Eustace shouldn't know her until he goes off to school, but who cares? It's Jill freakin' Pole! Now go make Silver Chair!!
I was totally thrilled too! :D I love that they mentioned her because now it's almost certain that they'll make The Silver Chair. Harfang, here we come!
Quote from: Damar on December 15, 2010, 09:30:15 PM
Now they need to get working on Silver Chair because God Aslan knows we need to get some Puddleglum up in here!
;)
I just got back from seeing it and I have to say it is very different. I enjoyed it but it isn't one of my favorites, something lacked. Ben Barnes was great as usual <3, kinda missed his Spanish accent. I cried my eyes out at the end of the film, a chapter in a way has closed but another one is opening.
You could definitely tell that it was made by a different company and sometimes I found the visual effect overpowering, the dragon didn't bother me at all. The map in the hidden mansion and other little things seemed to overpower the film. My favorites will always be the first two, where the whole family is complete. I'll still buy it when it comes to DVD, just to say that I have it. :P
Yeah I have seen the film and enjoyed it and agree with what others have said. The mist thing didn't go anywhere and will poulter made a brillant eustace. I am a big fan of the series and know all the books and hope the rest are made. I would love to see the Magicans Nephew and the horse and his boy made into movies.
Quote from: waltzdancing on December 21, 2010, 12:58:04 AM
Ben Barnes was great as usual <3, kinda missed his Spanish accent.
Oh my gosh, me too! It was
so sexy in Prince Caspian! He said that he modeled the accent after Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride. :sweetheart:
Quote from: waltzdancing on December 21, 2010, 12:58:04 AM
sometimes I found the visual effect overpowering, the dragon didn't bother me at all. The map in the hidden mansion and other little things seemed to overpower the film.
See, I didn't see it in 3D, so I can only imagine how trippy and headache-inducing it must have been! :stars:
I didn't see it in 3D either. It wasn't really a headache thing, the effect in some parts were too over the top for me.
So over the Christmas vacation I took from work, I read Voyage of the Dawn Treader, as well as Silver Chair and Last Battle. As I was reading I started to think about the things in the movie that bugged me, particularly the mist. And then it occurred to me that the writers could probably salvage the storyline about the mist. The issue with the mist is that it doesn't fit in, there's no actual motivation behind it, and it just vanishes. But then I started to look at what the attributes of the mist were. Warning: you're about to take a trip inside my head, and that usually involves creating odd theories using obscure plot points.
Attributes of the mist:
It would appear to be evil.
It tempts people (mainly Lucy) based on selfish and physical desires.
It psychologically attacks its victims and makes them question what they know and believe.
It doesn't seem to belong in our world.
It's bubbling up to the surface from a dark place.
In the end, it takes the form of a serpent.
It steals people away to a dark place. In fact, one could say that many have been taken by the mist, and few return to the sunlit lands.
IT'S FREAKING GREEN!
Sound like anyone you know? Maybe from the Silver Chair? Just a little? This all could be a coincidence, and it probably is. The mist most likely is just faulty writing. But if the writers wanted to be clever, they could reference it in Silver Chair as the first attempt by the Queen of the Underland to take over the sunlit lands. And since the star's daughter told Caspian and friends how to destroy the dark island, it explains why the Queen would have targeted Rillian and his mom in particular. Suddenly the events that set off Silver Chair seem a lot more like a personal vendetta.
Like I said, though, I think it probably is a coincidence. But the writers could make it work. The mist was still incredibly weak, plot wise, in the movie, but if they reference it in Silver Chair in that way, they could retroactively make it a bit more meaningful.
Quote from: Damar on January 02, 2011, 08:22:14 PM
Sound like anyone you know? Maybe from the Silver Chair? Just a little? This all could be a coincidence, and it probably is. The mist most likely is just faulty writing. But if the writers wanted to be clever, they could reference it in Silver Chair as the first attempt by the Queen of the Underland to take over the sunlit lands.
Hmm, interesting theory. The green mist bothered me a lot, too, and with the points you've made here, you're very correct, they could save that part of the storyline.
One of the things that made CS Lewis'
Voyage of the Dawn Treader so interesting was that it
didn't have an enemy. It wasn't really one of those "good vs. evil" stories like his past works, it was more of a "being comfortable with yourself and God" story. It was a bit sad to see that there was an actual bad guy created specifically for this movie, since it kind of took away from the symbolism. Your theory would actually allow me to forgive this error, since it would all eventually tie in with the books. :)
I agree. Voyage is all about the journey. Both the literal one, as well as growing as a person, like Eustace did. Likewise after the journey Lucy and Edmund are told they've grown too old to return to Narnia. They need to move on to, and discover, higher things in their own world. Likewise Caspian grows as a king and finds himself a wife. And ultimately they discover the end result of life, which is Aslan's country. It's all about growth and change. The story doesn't need a villain and I feel like the movie didn't give the audience enough credit to realize that and instead took the easy way out and tried to create an antagonist. I can understand why they would do that, and feel it's more marketable and that the audience just isn't clever enough. But really, are they simplifying things because the audience isn't clever, or does simplifying things make for a less clever audience by lowering expectations of what a more complex story is?
Quote from: Damar on January 02, 2011, 08:45:33 PM
The story doesn't need a villain and I feel like the movie didn't give the audience enough credit to realize that and instead took the easy way out and tried to create an antagonist.
Yes, totally! I know that there are quite a lot of people who have read the books and seen the movies and never realized the religious symbolism, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a
religious thing. Like you said, Caspian grows as a king and finds his wife--his is more of a personal journey than a spiritual one. Most people who don't care about the parallels/don't know about them could accept that, I believe. :yes:
I watched part of this while I was waiting for Tron. I was actually liking it! (I didn't really like the first 2)
Did you sneak into the theatre? :o
shhhhh :P
I liked the movie. I've liked the previous two as well. But I don't think they touched on Caspian's journey at all. He simply says at the end, I haven't been as good of a king as I need to be. It seemed random to me. Edmund's was a little better developed but not much. Is all their journeys expanded upon in the book? I would like to read the books now since I enjoy the movies so much. I definitely saw some religious parallels but there's probably more I didn't.
I saw it 3D and thought it looked pretty cool. Especially all the ocean and water effects. But it's a racket how much I paid for two tickets for one movie! (Yeah, it was night price with 3D added on, but still.)
Quote from: writerlove on January 09, 2011, 08:12:27 AM
I liked the movie. I've liked the previous two as well. But I don't think they touched on Caspian's journey at all. He simply says at the end, I haven't been as good of a king as I need to be. It seemed random to me. Edmund's was a little better developed but not much. Is all their journeys expanded upon in the book?
Hmmm. Good question. It's been a year or two since I last read the books, but off the top of my head, I can't remember many specifics of Caspian not being "as good of a king as he needs to be."
The only thing I can think of is how, in the book, Caspian declares that he should be the one to go to Aslan's country and explore the great unknown. Everyone tries to talk him out of it, but he's insistent and stubborn about it. When he goes into his room, Aslan appears to him and tells him he can't go, and I think tells him that he's not thinking of his people (by leaving his own country and never coming back) and only thinking of himself. Maybe that's what they meant by that line, but you're right, it is pretty random.
(Posted on: January 09, 2011, 01:34:47 PM)
Gah! After a youtube search on VotDT, I found the clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaeku0mY1_s) I referenced earlier...the one Aslan says to Lucy and Edmund about going by another name in our world. :'( :)
It might be a spoiler if you haven't read the books/seen the movie, so be forewarned. :)
By thy Global Mod Powers, Rise, thread, RISE!
I have discovered an article (http://movies.ign.com/articles/115/1157247p1.html) that many may find interesting. I'm intrigued. I hope it works out.
Really that's the most sensible route to take - out of the remaining books I think Magician's Nephew is the one that really ought to be made into a movie next.
Quote from: wilco64256 on March 25, 2011, 11:51:34 AM
Really that's the most sensible route to take - out of the remaining books I think Magician's Nephew is the one that really ought to be made into a movie next.
Indeed. I admit I haven't read any of the books, but considering that, from what I hear at least, The Magician's Nephew happens chronilogically first, it's almost equivilant to a "reboot", except the difference here is that they already have some fantastic source material to work from. I'm tempted to call it a pseudo reboot.
I haven't read the book, or seen the latest Narnia movie yet, but it strikes me that calling it a reboot is a big misnomer from what I can gather. I mean, CS Lewis wrote it himself...it doesn't sound like he used it to rewrite existing books (even if they did come later)...and aren't few if any of the same characters even in the Magician's Nephew story?
"Reboot" is definitely not the right word for it. It's a prequel, and yes, he did write it after he wrote The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, but it's not something that he took and revamped. It explains the origins of Narnia, and tells about Professor Kirke's childhood...plus it tells where a lot of the most important icons and ideas came from. (i.e: Why do only some of the animals talk, why does the witch think she has free reign over the land, and why the heck is there a lamp post in the middle of the woods? ;)) In a sense, it would be like how the first three Star Wars movies were made after the last three.
It would be a cool idea for a movie, especially since, as we've discussed, it gets darker and more serious from the rest of the series on out--and people who don't realize/don't care that it's a Christian parallel would be weirded out or bored numb.
I think the way that "reboot" works here is just that they have an opportunity to re-generate interest in the movies as this is a very strong story that could be done extremely well - more so I think than A Horse and His Boy or The Silver Chair. If done properly it could easily be the best movie out of all of them.
Quote from: wilco64256 on March 25, 2011, 03:11:42 PM
I think the way that "reboot" works here is just that they have an opportunity to re-generate interest in the movies as this is a very strong story that could be done extremely well - more so I think than A Horse and His Boy or The Silver Chair. If done properly it could easily be the best movie out of all of them.
Thank you, weldon. This is what I was trying to get across.
Got it. :yes: You guys are right, a different take on the Narnia series could be very good--people might be getting bored with the Pevensies, and seeing Narnia's roots would be interesting for those who don't know the story already.
Actually I think it might actually show the opposite. The producers may be worried that with the Pevensies completely out of the picture people will stop following. If they did the Silver Chair, they'd have an entirely new character in Jill Pole and the only tie to the past would be Eustace who spent much of Voyage acting like a shrill, obnoxious tool (well, and Caspian too, technically, who spends all of five seconds in the book before sailing off to die). Heck, Silver Chair barely even takes place in Narnia! They go there briefly, but then it's off to the wilds of the north and then underground. I think the producers could be trying to play it save by skipping to Magician's Nephew.
Magician's Nephew may also have new characters, but it has an old villain, the same villain they keep shoehorning into the movies (seriously, having her show up in Voyage was just reaching and too much of an attention demanding cameo. Same with Caspian, though that at least had a setup and was true to the book.) And the main character has a direct tie to the Pevensies and allows for a cameo of all of them and the old professor. It would be very difficult to have any ties to the past if they moved on to Silver Chair.
In the end, I'd be really psyched to see either Magician's Nephew or Silver Chair. Magician's Nephew is fascinating with the world between the worlds and the dying world the White Witch comes from. On the other hand, Silver Chair's got Puddleglum. Oh, and other cool stuff too like giants and stuff. But mainly Puddleglum!
I was waiting for you to find your way back here, Damar. ;)
Quote from: Damar on March 26, 2011, 03:21:28 PM
Magician's Nephew may also have new characters, but it has an old villain, the same villain they keep shoehorning into the movies (seriously, having her show up in Voyage was just reaching and too much of an attention demanding cameo. Same with Caspian, though that at least had a setup and was true to the book.)
This is a very, very good point. I am a huge Narnia freak, but I'm getting quite tired of seeing Tilda Swinton in every Narnia movie that has ever been filmed. She had her badass moment in TLt WatW, her appropriate and expected cameo in Prince Caspian, but there was no point to her appearance in VotDT. None. I think you said earlier that the director seemed to think that there needed to be a specific antagonist for the sake of the audience, and having her show up in the movie only underscores that point. If I, a diehard Narnia freak, am feeling this way, I can only imagine what the casual moviegoer is feeling.
HOWEVER...finding out where she comes from is pretty amazing. The world of Charn would be amazing to see onscreen. It would definitely be a shock to audiences to discover her story! (Assuming the director stays true to the book. :-\)
Like I said, I think it would be too obscure a concept to translate The Silver Chair and beyond into a movie, but that's just my humble opinion. I'd be okay with The Magician's Nephew being made into a movie.
I kinda wish they had started with The Magician's Nephew, honestly, and just gone through the series in chronological order. There would have been more connections between the movies that way.