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Would You Believe...Maxwell Smart Has Seen THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER??
Merrick here...
In a few weeks, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER will be hitting theaters from new-to-the-franchise director (THUNDERHEART, NELL, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER).
Strangely, while we've already enjoyed a number of trailers for the film...as well as a few (deliberately?) leaked images of the Dawn Treader ship and whatnot...we've heard very little early word about how this project is shaping up.
Therefore, we thought you might appreciate this insight from Maxwell Smart, who just got a look at the picture which opens December 10.
First off, let me say I have a real love/hate relationship with this franchise. I have always been a huge fan of the books, but I recognize them for what they are: children's fantasy with some interesting spiritual and philosophical undertones. Unfortunately, the makers of the first two films thought they had another "Lord of the Rings" on their hands and treated the material with such a heavy hand that the films nearly suffocated under the weight of their epic aspirations. I enjoyed them, but left both feeling as much exhausted as anything else.
I would say "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" at least understands its limits. There is very little attempt (until the very end) to give it a LOTR-type feel, and I actually appreciated the more intimate, personal atmosphere somewhat. It was less "look at me--I'm a fantasy epic" and more "let's just tell the story." And they stayed pretty true to the book, apart from some departures I felt made sense for the most part.
Unfortunately, the "let's just tell the story" approach suffers from one major problem: the story of "Dawn Treader" is pretty episodic, lacking a strong central narrative to carry the audience along. In book form that's not a problem, but on-screen it is. The new filmmakers attempt to provide some structure by giving the characters a quest to fulfill (involving seven swords and Aslan's table), and then they adjust one part of the story so that it lasts a lot longer in the movie than it does in the book. This does provide a little glue, but it doesn't keep you from feeling that you're watching assembled parts of a story instead of a cohesive whole.
Add to that the problem that the spiritual/moral themes of "Dawn Treader" end up feeling forced and too easily resolved. Temptations to evil appear from time to time (usually in the form of a "green mist"--it's like the smoke monster, from "Lost"...but GREEN!), and the characters momentarily flirt with opportunities to take shortcuts to their desires, but those temptations are (too) easily dismissed. We never feel the urgency or the passion behind the temptation, and we never really feel the struggle to overcome it.
Still, the movie does have its charms, not the least of which is Will Poulter as Eustace. Whenever he's on screen I'm willing to forgive the film its faults. Poulter does the impossible--he overacts without looking like he's overacting, which ends up fitting the character of Eustace perfectly. He's hilarious when he's an ass, and as the film goes on his transformation is actually very believable. The other child leads are perfectly fine, and I do think Ben Barnes is a perfect Caspian.
As I sit here and reflect, perhaps part of what I'm realizing is that by jettisoning the LOTR-mentality, the filmmakers have brought Narnia back around to what it really is--a kid's story. This is probably the most kid-friendly of the films, shorter in running time, and only scary during a sea-serpent battle (although the second half of that battle is pretty freaky if you don't like snakes--let's just say it gives a new definition to the idea of "opening up" a can of whoop-ass). Kids won't worry too much about the clunky narrative, and the moral/spiritual struggles of the characters certainly won't tax them. I guess I just wish they had taxed me, even a little.
Production values are really good, given that (as I understand) the budget was reduced quite a bit when they moved from Disney to Fox. There are some really nice moments, including an interesting way to bring Peter and Susan into a story they aren't supposed to be in. And they did keep some of my absolute favorite parts from the book--the transformation of Eustace (although handled differently, but I didn't mind), Aslan's country, and the relationship between Eustace and Reepicheep. I did miss the Island Where Dreams Come True, which is one of Lewis' most interesting creations (here it's replaced by just a generally "evil place").
Overall, I'd give it a 6/10. If you're a fan of Narnia, you'll probably love it. If not, unless you have young kids you probably won't.
Thanks a ton to Max for sending this in. Really wondering how Dabvid Arnold's score is - he's bringing the music this time instead of Harry Gregson-William, who scored the previous films in the series.
--- Follow Merrick on Twitter! ---
I would say "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" at least understands its limits. There is very little attempt (until the very end) to give it a LOTR-type feel, and I actually appreciated the more intimate, personal atmosphere somewhat. It was less "look at me--I'm a fantasy epic" and more "let's just tell the story." And they stayed pretty true to the book, apart from some departures I felt made sense for the most part.
Unfortunately, the "let's just tell the story" approach suffers from one major problem: the story of "Dawn Treader" is pretty episodic, lacking a strong central narrative to carry the audience along. In book form that's not a problem, but on-screen it is. The new filmmakers attempt to provide some structure by giving the characters a quest to fulfill (involving seven swords and Aslan's table), and then they adjust one part of the story so that it lasts a lot longer in the movie than it does in the book. This does provide a little glue, but it doesn't keep you from feeling that you're watching assembled parts of a story instead of a cohesive whole.
Add to that the problem that the spiritual/moral themes of "Dawn Treader" end up feeling forced and too easily resolved. Temptations to evil appear from time to time (usually in the form of a "green mist"--it's like the smoke monster, from "Lost"...but GREEN!), and the characters momentarily flirt with opportunities to take shortcuts to their desires, but those temptations are (too) easily dismissed. We never feel the urgency or the passion behind the temptation, and we never really feel the struggle to overcome it.
Still, the movie does have its charms, not the least of which is Will Poulter as Eustace. Whenever he's on screen I'm willing to forgive the film its faults. Poulter does the impossible--he overacts without looking like he's overacting, which ends up fitting the character of Eustace perfectly. He's hilarious when he's an ass, and as the film goes on his transformation is actually very believable. The other child leads are perfectly fine, and I do think Ben Barnes is a perfect Caspian.
As I sit here and reflect, perhaps part of what I'm realizing is that by jettisoning the LOTR-mentality, the filmmakers have brought Narnia back around to what it really is--a kid's story. This is probably the most kid-friendly of the films, shorter in running time, and only scary during a sea-serpent battle (although the second half of that battle is pretty freaky if you don't like snakes--let's just say it gives a new definition to the idea of "opening up" a can of whoop-ass). Kids won't worry too much about the clunky narrative, and the moral/spiritual struggles of the characters certainly won't tax them. I guess I just wish they had taxed me, even a little.
Production values are really good, given that (as I understand) the budget was reduced quite a bit when they moved from Disney to Fox. There are some really nice moments, including an interesting way to bring Peter and Susan into a story they aren't supposed to be in. And they did keep some of my absolute favorite parts from the book--the transformation of Eustace (although handled differently, but I didn't mind), Aslan's country, and the relationship between Eustace and Reepicheep. I did miss the Island Where Dreams Come True, which is one of Lewis' most interesting creations (here it's replaced by just a generally "evil place").
Overall, I'd give it a 6/10. If you're a fan of Narnia, you'll probably love it. If not, unless you have young kids you probably won't.
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There, I said it. Oh yeah.... plant.
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Plants don't give movies 6 out of 10.
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The Narina series is pure SHIT!
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I wouldn't say they were "shitty," just less than they could have been. "Dawn Treader" is a very thin book, story-wise, and I'm surprised they tried to adapt it into a film. It would've made a good TV movie, but a feature is stretching it.
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the first two were superb entertainment in their own right - different experiences from the books & BBC adaptations, but highly enjoyable nonetheless.
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the NARNIA studio would pick the big POTTER weekend to remind us that they still exist, and pander to that same crowd.
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The reviewer meant "dreary, unsubtle proselytizing."
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This is a strange attempt to piggy-back on the Potter buzz.
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The first two films were not very good, so I don't care to see this one. LION WITCH WARDROBE was epic fail in parts, unforgivably having the ability to even capture the magic of certain sequences that worked wonderfully in the British TV cartoon version. How pathetic is that? Why even the music in the TV cartoon is more wondrous and magical.
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If you think the Narnia films are proselytizing, I dread to think what you'll be like if you're actually proselytized. As I recall, nobody in the Narnia books or films is asked to make Aslan their personal lord and savior, and nobody is told they're going to hell if they don't. In fact, in "The Last Battle," Lewis presents a possibility that really pisses off hyper-conservative Christians: the thought that someone who didn't follow Aslan making it into Aslan's country. Do you equate that with fundy Christianity? Because if you do I'd like to know what Christians you know who preach that there might be some Muslims in heaven. Lewis builds on themes he considers common to many religions: the idea of the dying/rising God (not exclusive to Christianity), the promise of a better world to come, the idea of personal responsibility in this life, etc. If you consider that proselytizing, I would say you maybe have some issues to deal with.
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I thought they gave up on the whole series.
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ALL the Narnia films suck, looks like this won't change that mold!!!
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the argument could be made that Susan, by rejecting the idea of Narnia, and becoming interested in boys and cloths (worldly things), was Lewis' way of saying if you don't "accept" Aslan as god, then they are going to hell (though there is presented the "out" if you will, that Susan will find her own way in her own time).But you're right the idea of a Calomoran getting into Aslan's country even though he didn't follow Aslan is still a controversial idea.
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...I can say that I've been enjoying the films thus far. My only exposure to the stories was a play version of LWW in the 4th grade. I kind of dig the fact that they're not trying to turn the books into a huge mega epic franchise, but are quite content with satisfying, steady-handed, under-the-radar films.
Enjoyed the first two, will certainly see this one, and hope (because I like rooting for the unassuming underdog) that they are able to finish the series. -
It's a lion, it's... oh, you've heard it.
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http://www.omelete.com.br/images/galerias/judgedredd/Primeira-foto.jpg
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http://www.omelete.com.br/imag es/galerias/judgedredd/Primeira-foto.jpg
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I doubt the Dawn Treader movie will beat it, though the fact that this was one of my favourite books as a kid (along with The Silver Chair, the next in the series) means I cannot wait to check it out. I'm glad they've got a good actor playing Eustace because he pretty much becomes the lead in Silver Chair (along with Jill Pole). Silver Chair has the potential to be amazing too.
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I wonder how long they will keep making these. It seems like they just gave up on the "His Dark Materials" series, which is kind of sad. Even though I didn't much like the one movie. Or the book, for that matter.
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...is a good example of why I like the Narnia films. "His Dark Materials" was crammed down everybodies throats as THE NEXT BIG EVENT THING!!!, then didn't really deliver.
The Narnia films are put together and marketed as if the filmmakers were saying, "Here's this thing we made that we're all passionate about. We hope you like it."
That's so refreshing, and the films have thus far been satisfying when they don't have any kind of big Blockbuster Film Extravaganza expectations to live up to. -
...that the timing of the screening I went to was meant to create buzz while "Potter" is in the public eye. The theater was packed with people standing in line hours ahead of time for the midnight showings of "Deathly Hallows." Oh, and as far as the music goes, it was good. A lot of usage of the earlier themes from the first two movies. Nothing really stood out for me except for the end of the film when they are on the border of Aslan's country--some nice orchestrations there.
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Yeah, cause it's a story about people traveling on a boat which means it must be exactly like POTC. Fucking moron.
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I'm curious if it's worth seeing in the extra dimension.
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...that I never thought of any POTC movie while watching "Dawn Treader."
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Satan Hates Narnia so its know wonder this site bashes the movie. O well I am sure all you think Harry Potter and Death homos is the Second Comming. By the way Plugged in Magazine from Focus on the Family love the movie.
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Thought he'd be perfect for Eustace when I saw it and there was no Dawn Treader movie at that time. I'm curious to see this if only to watch Poulter's performance.
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Not sure what to make of the review. "If you're a fan of Narnia, you'll probably love it". Not sure. This is my favorite of all the Narnia books and I hope it's handled very much like Lewis did. Reviewer's comment that Eustice's transformation is in but handled diffferently...THIS is the whole linchpin of the entire book. If it is indeed "handled differently" then the whole thing is shot.
The transformation was Eustice being unable to "cleanse" himself and requiring Aslan to do it. If that's not in, the rest of the film falls apart.
And...Susan and Peter in? I HATE this idea. The whole point was that they were too old and putting them in is a second strike. Ugh. I really want this film to work (Caspian did NOT at all and the 1st was ok at best), but this may not bode for good news on the film (the review). -
This is nothing, NOTHING like POTC. Besides, this was written like fifty years before POTC anyway. It's one of the great classics of fantasy literature, you know. Ignorant twat.
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Or it might not be. I dunno. I'm just sayin, it's not a POTC rip-off. Seriously. Saying that is just plain retarded.
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One of the problems with these films is that the world does not look lived in. The fantasy world looks pristine and untouched, as if no one had lived there before the children arrived.
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was in casting for Aslan. I like Liam Neeson, but that role had Gilbert Gottfried written all over it.
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...Maxwell Smart is the first, last, and only person who will see it?
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Sorry, I was trying to be as spoiler-free as possible. Rest assured that it is Aslan who frees Eustace from his "predicament." It's done with different timing than the book, though. Events are re-ordered somewhat, but the essence is the same. And the Peter/Susan scene is not in Narnia, but in the real world. In fact, the scene that uses them is one of the few times that I felt the underlying message of the film really worked.And to the talkbacker who said that this site trashes Narnia as per the will of Satan, please remember that I do not represent AICN in any way. I'm just a fan of the site, like everyone else. And if you didn't catch in my review, I have great affection for Narnia, and it has profoundly impacted my spiritual life through the years. I'm just disappointed that better films weren't made from the books.
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You are an excellent writer, Max. AICN should hire you.
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I have a feeling things are taking a turn for the worse.
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Nov 19, 2010 6:25:41 PM CST
daniel day lewis will be LINCOLN in spielberg film!!
by legendaryspartanblood
best choice ever!!
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As per Spielberg: "Daniel Day-Lewis would have always been counted as one of the greatest of actors, were he from the silent era, the golden age of film or even some time in cinema's distant future. I am grateful and inspired that our paths will finally cross with Lincoln,” Spielberg said in a statement.
Hyperbole? Maybe. To be fair, this has been one of the Beard's pet projects for a couple of decades. I just finished reading "The Men Who Would Be King" about DreamWorks story, and it's clear this was a passion project for him. Still think his first choice, Liam Neeson, would have been the the best though. Every time I think of Lincoln though, the first thing that springs to mind is Tyler Durden's comment about his being a potentially good fighter _ tall man, long arm... -
Big guy, big reach.
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A pathetic, flaming liberal making a movie about the founder of the Republican party? An Obama-lover making a movie about a man who would have hated Obama? This is going to be a disaster.
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... I mean that Lincoln wanted to unify the republic whereas Mr. Arizona-Can-Screw-Itself, let-the-poor-live-entirely-off-the-middle-class Obama wants to divide us.
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Sarah Palin doesn't bitch about America, per se, just the people running it. DDL as Lincoln? Will he be wearing Frankenstein shoes? Is he 6'4"?
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Then ill go to see this lotr ripoff!
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Nov 19, 2010 7:54:23 PM CST
So Locke is clearly insane and disconnected, anyone else?
by industrykiller!
No? Ok then the sane being excited about a SPielberg directed Lincoln is pretty much unanimous.
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In a few weeks, THE CHRONICLES OF "NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER will be hitting theaters from new-to-the-franchise director (THUNDERHEART, NELL, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER)."
Did I miss something? Who's the director? Should his name have been put between director and the movie titles you mention? WTF is with this site? -
...seriously, perfect.
Well done. -
Having 3 stellar big budget adaptions of Narnia stories achieved thus far is very good. Will make the franchise, being able to watch 3 films of the Narnia series on dvd enables a more obvious difference of appreciation to each film than just having 2.
Prince Caspian's rich qualities & repeated viewing potential as a great fantasy film will be alot more appreciated & accessible when it is viewed as part of a wider tapestry, rather as being a stand alone joy ride sequel(where deviations & intricacies can be a barrier in the initial experience of a big film audience for different reasons in this case).
Yay for Narnia passion making it happen - what fun! Looking forward to great times with 'Voyage...' in 3d over years end/start. -
If by "no one" you mean YOU, then you are absolutely correct.
Although I think to be grammatically and semantically correct, you should probably refer to yourself as a "Nobody", or more descriptively, a "Nobody who's opinion counts for jack shit and should probably stuff it right up his voluminous gaping ass". -
Is the same as today's.
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The original story had a suffecient quest. Caspian set out to find the missing seven lords. Why does everything have to be epic ? I feel the same way about Batman films. There's always such high stakes, I wish we could have Batman working one small case, like a kidnapping.
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Why isn't this a headline? That is GREAT news...
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But I sense I'm in the minority on that.
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That's right, I'm bad-ass, I don't care if Potter's more popular right now, and that the other two Narnia films were underwhelming. The trailers for Dawn Treader have me hooked. There's a real sense of magic in them that isn't in any of the Potter trailers (which were full of darkness and angst and Radcliffe looking like he's trying to pass a Lincoln Log, but hardly enchanting) but then that's fitting, given that there's far more magic - in every sense of the word - in the Narnia books than ever were in the Potter books. I read books not just to find out what happens to a given set of characters, but for the heft and music of their prose, and Rowling, in that regard, is light-weight and tone-deaf. The Narnia books truly enchant you and make you believe Narnia is a real place, whereas the Potter books require some work - at least for me - to believe in stuff like skrewts and Floo Powder and unicorns that are born silver and turn gold when they grow up (talk about tacky gift-shop kitsch, feh!) So anyway I'm seeing this movie, which surprises me, since I'd given up on the franchise after Disney dumped it. So if this movie is more magical, straightforward and less dark then I'm all for it. I've said all along that Walden kept treating Narnia like LOTR-lite; I'm glad that 20th Century Fox has chosen a different approach.
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Saw the movie Thursday evening. I liked it better than the reviewer. The music is good. Visually it is beautiful. It's almost as good as LWW and better than PC.
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