Movie Info
Movie Name: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Studio: Walden Media
Genre(s): Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Family
Release Date(s): December 9, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Damn it, I thought they said this was Breaking Dawn
Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes) have been pulled back to Narnia with their know-it-all cousin Eustace (Will Poulter). As Lucy and Edmund try to keep Eustace in check, they embark on a journey with King Caspian (Ben Barnes) upon the Dawn Treader to find the lost lords of Narnia. When the group finds a darkness has fallen over the outer islands, it is up to them to stop it and free the people of Narnia…will they reach Aslan’s Country?
Directed by Michael Apted, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third book (and movie) in the Chronicles of Narnia series (before the renumbering) acting as a follow-up to The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian from 2008. Based on the 1952 novel by C.S. Lewis, the movie took longer than planned to get into production with disputes between Disney and Walden Media over the funding and ended up being distributed by 20th Century Fox. It received average reviews and despite a positive take in the box office, as of now has ended the series.
I’m back to being a jerk, mouse…now die!
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was one of the best Chronicle of Narnia books. It had adventure, fun creatures, dragons, and everything you’d want from a fantasy story for kids. Unfortunately, this movie didn’t feel it had enough (yes, the end of the story is a bit anticlimactic). That meant adding in more adventure and adding elements of the fifth book The Silver Chair into the movie. It didn’t seem to really add much to the story except an action scene on the boat and more meaning to Eustace’s redemption. What was added (in all the Chronicle of Narnia series) that added to the movie’s enjoyment was more lead up to the trip to Narnia and a nice, smart inclusion of Peter (William Mosely) and Susan (Anna Popplewell).
Aslan, I know you are teaching us a lesson…but seriously can you just show up and help a little sooner next time?
The effects in the movie are quite good, but with plot problems that does hinder them. Eustace’s dragon form is very well done and it is given a lot of dimension since it must become one of the characters. Reepicheep (voiced by Simon Pegg who took over for Eddie Izzard) does a good job breaking the hard to stomach “talking animals” aspect of the story by creating a pretty balanced character. The final scene on the voyage to Aslan’s Country also really captured the magic of the book and was one of the better scenes in all three movies. The movie was converted to 3D (which is always a mistake) and the 3D version wasn’t very popular among critics.
Dear magic book, will we every see another Narnia movie?
With the lack-lust response from the audience and positive, yet not super box office returns, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader might damn other Narnia movies. That is a shame because The Silver Chair is my favorite story of the series with Eustace and the girl mentioned at the end of this film Jill Pole. The movie being pushed as the next sequel to adapt is The Magician’s Nephew (an origin story) was also high on my list and would have featured the return of Tilda Swinton in a larger role as Jadis in her pre-White Witch days. Unfortunately the rights to the series has been lost again and a Chronicles of Narnia sequel is looking less and less likely though Tilda Swinton has continued to express interest in reprising her White Witch role.
Related Links:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
