Anyway, SO was more excited this show than I was. I had read the Narnia series books about 5 times and while I really enjoyed the books, I was afraid the movies cannot do justice to the books.
The first Narnia movie, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" followed the book quite closely and it was real cool to have something you read come alive in the form of a movie.
Well, the Narnia books cannot be compared to the "Lord of the Rings" book series. I have tried reading the Ring books and I gave up after the very first chapter. It was reading for very mature adults and the material was rather dry.
The Narnia series on the other hand was written more for children. It's language and writing style is so simple, that it is almost laughable by today's standards. One thing I dun like about the Narnia series is that there is a very strong underlying element of religion within the context. In certain parts, the books sounded almost too preachy. Frankly, I find that in certain portions of the stories, excessive Christian theological concepts are incorporated that it almost become a Christian fairy tale. But I did enjoyed the stories enough to read it more than 5 times and at least 2 of the times, when I was no longer a child but an adult.
"Prince Caspian" the movie was not quite what I had expected. Basically, I can still remembered the story. Prince lead rebellion, blow the horn to summon the 4 children, 4 children arrived, gathered Narnia troops, fight big battle. Of course, some where in between Aslan appeared.
So i was a bit shocked when some extra scenes appeared in the movie. I dun remember reading about the raid at the castle. I dun quite remember the duel between Peter and the other King.
And Prince Caspian sounded foreign, with a thick European accent, like Antonio Bandaras leaning to speak English.
Overall, I find the movie okay but a bit slow though. The movie was not a direct theatrical adaptation of the book. After the Hollywood treatment, the movie is now "based" on the book, meaning that Hollywood has added modern elements as to what they think will make the story better and appeal to contemporary audience. Even SO was saying that this movie as compared to the prior one is less preachy and "religious".
The most popular character of the entire movie was not Prince Caspian, nor any of the 4 children, but Reepicheep, the mouse. Every time, he appeared, audience in my cinema cheered or laughed. And yes, he would be back in the next Narnia movie. (I read the book, remember)
Frankly, I have dug out my Narnia series and started reading "Prince Caspian" again. The language is even simpler than I expected, that it's almost like I am reading Enid Blyton, another favorite childhood author of mine.
I offered to let SO read the Narnia series but he said no thanks, he's not interested, he's just interested in watching the movie, not reading the book.
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There is an interesting theme song towards the end of the movie that's rather touching.
The Call by Regina Spektor
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye
Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye..
Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye.
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