Narnia

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

I just totally have a thing for these kind of movies. I love the idea of mystical worlds, and ancient civilizations, and whatnot. The kind of stuff fantasies are made of. Having said that, how does the second Narnia live up to is expectation, and does it outdo the first?

Well, frankly, I can't remember the first well enough to make a side by side comparison. I do remember enjoying it quite a lot though. Same goes the second time. While I'd say it is probably a step down this time in terms of acting (The acting feels almost as forced as it did in "Star Wars Revenge of the Sith") the action was as good as ever, and it sure is nice not to have to wait through an introduction of characters like I had to the first time.

Part of what makes sequels often better in a trilogy or beyond is that you no longer have to get to know everyone and their mother. Getting to know everyone can sometimes consume most of the first movie, as seen with Iron Man (although I thought Iron Man was great it still works as a great example) or the first Star Wars (another great one, but does it compare to Empire Strikes Back? I think not.) Therefore, it was nice to cut to the chase and almost immediately get thrown into the action with the newest Narnia. The combat scenes were, as anyone would expect, spectacular. And no doubt the writing for the dialogue is good, too. Too bad about the directing and acting though. The down to earth details of the characters takes a backseat to all the bells and whistles.

One other thing: I feel like I can predict the third one and how it will end up based on the first two. Let me just say that these characters seem to fall into the same basic predicament each time: Get into a battle you cannot win, start to lose, and at the last minute, THANK GOD, THE LION comes to save the day. Sort of makes almost all of the long drawn out and epic fighting scenes seem pointless in the end. An entertaining movie nonetheless.

2.5/4 **

tristanrobin · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 142 Location: New Haven, CT USA

Thanks for the rec ... I wasn't sure about this one. Except for Tilda Swinton and some of the special effects, the first one left me pretty cold - absolutely not emotional involvement in it at all. But, I'll give this one a chance.

And I agree - all the character introductions are a bore LOL.

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124