Brave return to ‘Narnia’

Fans have waited 2½ years for the return of the Pevensie siblings, the young heroes of director Andrew Adamson’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Maybe this felt like a prolonged period of time, but trust us: It’s nothing.

As we learn in the film’s much anticipated sequel, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” based on the second in C.S. Lewis’ seven-book series, the Narnians have been awaiting the Pevensies’ reappearance for about 1,300 years, and, not surprisingly, things are much changed in their once-peaceful world.

While the four plucky youngsters have been living out normal, if rather dull, lives in World War II-era England after stumbling back through the magical wardrobe, Narnia has slipped into the hands of the evil Telmarine empire, led by King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto).

The few Narnian creatures that have survived live hidden in the woods, where they themselves have become crueler and more primitive, and the mightiest Narnian of all, the lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson) has been missing for 1,000 years.

Narnia is a much darker place (both physically and thematically) than when we last saw it — but there is, of course, a light.

Prince Caspian (British stage actor Ben Barnes) is next in line for the Telmarine throne, although he doesn’t exactly fit the bloodthirsty mold of his uncle, the king. When Miraz’s wife gives birth to a son, who will keep the power all in the malevolent family, Caspian finds himself running for his life.

In the midst of the chase, the prince blows a horn he has been given, which, unbeknownst to him, summons Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley) back to Narnia. Thus begins Caspian’s partnership with the creatures and former rulers of Narnia and a quest to restore the land to its rightful owners.

“Prince Caspian” packs in the suspense and improves upon the sometimes-flubbed special effects of its predecessor, although this bigger, badder Narnia installment isn’t always better.

Its proliferation of characters is sometimes distracting, and none is quite as deliciously riveting as Tilda Swinton’s oh-so-wicked White Witch from the first film. (She makes a brief cameo here).

Also frustrating is the profusion of rather cheesy one-liners. They’re much more noticeable here than in the earlier film — perhaps a conscious effort on the part of the filmmakers to lighten this edition’s much more sinister tone. What might have worked in the “Shrek” series, in which Mr. Adamson has been highly involved, only cheapens this work, making it feel cobbled together rather than seamless.

Despite a few weaknesses, though, “Caspian” is going to be a box-office slayer, just like Mr. Adamson’s previous foray into the world of Narnia, which made $745 million worldwide. This film has hot male heroes and brave role-model-in-the-making heroines; strong performances all around; “natural” beauty coupled with epic action and stunning fight scenes; and positive messages about trust, togetherness and belief. (Yes, C.S. Lewis’ heavy Christian themes are all here, thinly veiled, if you choose to look for them.) It’s a successful return to Narnia, indeed.

***

TITLE: “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”

RATING: PG (for epic battle action and violence)

CREDITS: Directed by Andrew Adamson. Written by Mr. Adamson, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Based on the novel by C.S. Lewis.

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