CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER
3D (REVIEW)
Rated PG - 115 mins
Georgie Henley,
Liam Neeson, Ben Barnes, Gary Sweet, Simon Pegg, Bruce Spence
The
third in the popular Narnia series from author C.S. Lewis hits the big screen
in glorious cinemascope thanks to some Queensland locations where most of this
was filmed.
The Dawn Treader is the first ship the fantasy
land has seen in centuries. At the helm is the former Prince, now King Caspian
who has built it for his voyage to find the seven lords. These were all good honest
men who his evil uncle had previously banished. Meanwhile, without their older
brother and sister in tow, Lucy and Edmund return with their troublesome cousin
Eustace from 1940's England, through that magical wardrobe door into the fantastical
world. Teaming up the assortment of talking animals, plants (yes plants) and crazy
dandifying dwarfs, the children join in on the journey to find the Lords.
Directed
by Michael Apted (Gorillas in the Mist), the highly regarded Englishman improves
on the last instalment with great measure. He keeps things swift and family friendly.
There is plenty of action and less religious tones. Ben Barnes is back as Caspian,
older and more mature which suits the role for this one. There is an array of
Australian actors who pop in and out of roles which is good to see. Gary Sweet
in particular and Bruce Spence (Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome) use all their wiley
traits to make interesting characters.
The ocean voyage is
an adventure the young British children will never forget. Full of excitement
and near misses of disaster, adrenaline takes over. 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader'
is a much more emotional story than the first two films, almost epic in its grandeur;
the 3D probably didn't need to be included to enhance the cinematography. However,
there are moments where the 3D is certainly effective, especially when the mighty
Lion (perfectly voiced by the great Liam Neeson) roars in magnificent detail.
Surprisingly,
I was enchanted by Narnia this time around after being less than impressed and
even bored, watching the first two adaptations. Comedy is the key and this is
a fantasy full of light hearted humour and one liners, usually delivered from
a strange looking creature. Families will enjoy this as a group outing rather
than the extremely dark 'Harry Potter'.
Shane A. Bassett
