I’ve just watched the latest in the Chronicles of Narnia series of films,
'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ (in 3D) and I have to say it lived up to my hopes and expectations.
After the less than positive reaction from critics to the last Narnia film, ‘Prince Caspian’, there was some doubt that Walden Media would even make this film. But then Fox got behind the project and most viewers will be glad they did.
Most of what I remember from C S Lewis’ book is to be found in the film and the way Michael Apted has brought the story to life on the screen is truly amazing. In this film the CGI is much better, more believable, than in earlier films and the interaction between the human actors and the computer-generated animals is well executed. This is most evident in the final scenes when Lucy says goodbye firstly to Reepicheep and then also to Aslan.
The sea battle towards the end of the film is gripping and the 3D draws you into the action throughout – without engulfing the viewer. But it’s the individual struggles the main characters face throughout which impacted this viewer.
The film itself is a story of transformation. We see Lucy transformed from the little girl who met Mr Tumnus (and Aslan) in the first Narnia film into a young woman, no longer left behind when the battles rage but right at the forefront. Edmund is transformed from a boy struggling with being in the shadow of his brother, Peter, to a young man more certain of who he is.
The biggest transformation however is that which Eustace undergoes. From a selfish, rude and spiteful brat, whose desire is to be rich, he turns into someone who is prepared to put his life on the line for others – thanks to being turned into a dragon and encountering Aslan. We will of course see Eustace again in later Narnia films -if they appear.
No doubt there will be negative reviews, some with regard to the Christian allegory underpinning the film. But even ignoring that, should you need to, there’s a ‘feel good’ factor to the film only the hardest of hearts would fail to be impacted by. There are some strong messages throughout but the one I will take away is where Lucy, longing to be beautiful like her sister Susan, is reminded by Aslan of her value a person in her own right. “Remember Lucy”, he says, “Without you the others would never have found Narnia.”
So get along to your local cinema (from 9th December) and join the voyage of discovery and transition to ‘the end of the world and Aslan’s country’.
Clem Jackson
