SYNOPSIS:
Return to the magic and wonder of C. S. Lewis' epic world in this third installment of the beloved Chronicles of Narnia fantasy-adventure series. When Lucy and Edmund Pensive, along with their cousin Eustace, are swallowed into a painting and transported back to Narnia, they join King Caspian and a noble mouse named Reepicheep aboard the magnificent ship The Dawn Treader. The courageous voyagers travel to mysterious islands, confront mystical creatures, and reunite with the Great Lion Aslan and a mission that will determine the fate of Narnia itself!
MOVIE REVIEW:
The
Chronicles of Narnia was supposed to be Disney’s answer
to Warner Bros’ lucrative Harry Potter franchise but
after two instalments, Disney called it quits and co-producing
partner Walden Media went to look for a new partnership in
the form of 20th Century Fox. After years of stalled production,
budget cuts and on-location shooting being shifted to Queensland,
Australia, the third movie, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
finally set sail.
There are a couple of vast differences between Dawn Treader
and the first two Narnia adventure, this one notably is the
weak scribing. The Pevensies, Edmund (Skander Keynes) and
Lucy (Georgie Henley) are being transported to Narnia once
again, this time round with their obnoxious cousin, Eustace
(Will Poulter from Son of Rambow). Aboard the Dawn Treader
with King Caspian (Ben Barnes), they set sail in a quest to
rescue seven long-lost Lords of Narnia from an evil that resides
on a dark island.
Perhaps knowing the material is stretching and bland, director
Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough, Gorillas in the Mist)
replacing Andrew Adamson keeps the pacing frenetic in a bid
to distract you. Consider it took so much longer for the Pevensies
to reach Narnia in "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe"
and "Prince Caspian" as compared to a mere five
minutes screentime in Voyage. The narrative is filled with
much mayhem, adventure if you prefer, starting with a swash-buckling
sword-fight to encountering some strange invisible creatures
called the Dufflepuds. There’s even a dragon and serpent
attack to provide some rousing entertainment.
Unlike lush, exotic location shooting in New Zealand and Europe
with Peter Jackson’s Weta providing the effects, costume
and creature designs for the first two, the severely cut in
budget means Treader got to settle on something lesser. The
world of Narnia becomes less elegant, less magnificent and
the CG effects look a tad less convincing.
The strength of Treader however mainly lies in newcomer Will
Poulter who breathes a sign of fresh air to the lagging fantasy
franchise and the CG valor mouse warrior Reepicheep (a remarkable
achievement by Simon Pegg). Edmund and Lucy respectively played
by Keynes and Henley keeps the series nostalgic, the former
has since grown to a lanky handsome young dude and Henley
looks set to be the next Emma Watson. Barnes reprising his
role as Caspian unfortunately is let down by an undernourished
character development here.
Almost six years have passed since the first Narnia and comparing
to the Potter series, Narnia seems to be losing its touch.
The occasional Christian preaching and moral lessons in the
form of divine lion, Aslan (Liam Neeson in another one of
his many screen appearances) gives the good vs evil theme
a slight push but nothing extraordinary. While Treader is
passable as a children’s adventure fantasy flick, the
C.S. Lewis adaptations need more than divine power to stay
afloat and sail to another Narnia adventure.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
There
are four Deleted Scenes, some of them still
in work-in-progress condition. Commentary By Director
Michael Apted and Producer Mark Johnson provide lots
of insights to the production of Treader. Topics that are
discussed include casting, production blues, story, effects
and many more as the duo shared their experiences. AUDIO/VISUAL:
The
Dolby Digital 5.1 is an exceptional strong and powerful soundtrack.
Note especially the dragon and serpent battle. David Arnold’s
score comes across as impressive as well. The visual is vibrant
and bright during the daylight scenes but black levels seem
weaker for the night sequences.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
Posted
on 8 April 2011
|
