We watched Prince Caspian over the Memorial weekend and LOVED the movie. It held the children’s interest for all two hours and seventeen minutes. One positive about this movie compared to the last was less glorification of the evil side. The evil in this movie is either insidiously present in the minds of those around the characters or very, very creepy. When we watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I remember looking over at Joshua during the sacrifice scene only to find that he was beating out the drumbeat of the White Witch’s minions by pounding his little fists on the arms of the chair. Not a good sign!
In my opinion, a greater awe surrounded Aslan in this movie. I’m a fan of Liam Neeson, but found his voice to be too one-dimensional for the last one. Yes, I know James Earl Jones can’t play every deep-voiced character, and yes, Darth Vader might not make a good Aslan, but that’s how I “heard” the voice. Seems Aslan talked less, but said just as much, in Caspian.
Here we come to my only beef with the movie. It didn’t bother me that the movie strayed from the book. Screenwriting’s a tough job and I wouldn’t even try to capture the spirit of a book in a few hours of film. But I have issues with Lucy in a particular scene. About halfway through the movie, she is shown sitting on the Stone Table. Not even just “sitting.” It’s a definite lounge. Relaxed. Kicked back. She, in some ways more than all the children, loves Aslan. I understand that she is not scared of the Stone Table. After all, she was present when it was conquered. But she would be in awe of it.
In a subsequent scene, she is again sitting on the table. However, this time a sadness pervades the scene and she is leaning into the split table as if for support.
To me, it’s the difference between climbing the cross like it’s a tree, or clinging to it as a sign of our Savior.
Anyone else notice this?
Yes. I didn’t like her lounging on the stone either. Yes, it was just a stone, but Aslan himself broke it and saved her brother’s life. I would have preferred for Lucy to lounge next to the stone and perhaps subconsciously pet it as she thought about other matters. It would shown affection instead of disrespect, which didn’t match her character’s love of Aslan.
Good critique.
i didn’t notice this too much… funny, i actually hate the idea of wearing a cross as jewelery or putting it on a wall… i understand that Jesus redeemed the cross, but i think our year of distance from it causes us to take for granted the fact that it was an instrument of torture and death
I hadn’t noticed that at all about her lounging on the stone table. What an interesting observation. I think you’re right that she would revere it too much to treat it so casually.
And, hey… Screenwriting IS hard, isn’t it?
Unca D