Dale Fincher: Prince Caspian: Why the Movie is Not Worth Seeing
Julia
· 1 year ago
My husband and I saw this movie at a critic screening and, like you, we were underwhelmed. I have not read the book, but felt that the movie was not only slow and boring, but that I had seen all of the scenes somewhere before. I don't always mind if a movie strays from its literary counterpart if it provides a great cinematic experience. Unfortunately, this movie wasn't like the book and didn't dazzle this movie goer. Check out my husbands review at www.mauitime.com if you're curious about what he thought. Thanks for the in depth analysis.
Gretchen
· 1 year ago
How can a movie ever live up to a book? The only instance that comes to mind is "Anne of Green Gables" which was so artfully and thoughtfully done it really had the same feel as the books.
My heart sank when I read your post because I have been anticipating the movie so much. I have to admit that the trailers have left me a bit cold. I recently read the book in preparation for the film and it looks like it will be a hard act to follow. There is so much back story and texture to the book and I'm sure it would be hard to capture that magic and flavor in an epic Hollywood film. I'll see it in the theater but will be aware of the subtle and not so subtle changes.
JR
· 1 year ago
Jonalyn, your just flat out wrong on this one!
I'm sorry but your commentary is maybe 5% to 10% accurate. And even then the places you get it right your perspective is so skewed you don't even allow yourself to see where the film makers did their job extraordinarily well and how true to the grand story Prince Caspian really was.
If I have time, I will write a point by point refutation of your flawed analysis, but in the meantime, everyone should go and see this film, it is fantastic! Granted it can have its cheesy moments, but it is an excellent presentation on the silver screen of Lewis' "Martian" novel in the Narnia Cronicles.
-see M.Ward's Planet Narnia for more info on the books mythological planetary themes.
Dale Fincher
· 1 year ago
Gretchen.... I know few people who expect a book to live up to the movie... I'm the same way!
Yet you'd find it quite odd if Ludlum fans discovered producers changed the hero of their books from Jason Bourne to Bourne's girlfriend. The Narnia films are something similar to that.
Jackson's Lord of the Rings made its deviations from the books, but still captured the spirit of Middle-Earth. So the big screen doesn't require such a large failure as Adamson has made, in my opinion, with the Narnia franchise (and it seems clear now that Gresham knows not how to maintain quality control).
___________
jr, I wonder if you watched the same movie. I'm a little familiar with Ward and not surprised at Medieval cosmology or anything pertaining to Lewis' expertise peeking through in Lewis' writing.
With separate graduate degrees in acting and philosophy, and having baptized my imagination in Lewis and his influences, I find myself remotely qualified to say that this movie flopped hard at delivering the meanings of Lewis' book (Aslan is no more than an impotently large creature) and the acting performances of Peter and Susan were flat, dull, and frighteningly resemble the poor-twin of the real Peter and Lucy of the books.
And a brief google search will reveal that many found critics Adamson's creativity too involved in "add fantasy formula and stir" approach, with imitation, not imagination. We all saw flashes of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Return of the Jedi and the like.
The real Narnia is a place we'd all like to be, but I'm afraid this film version, hijacked by the pirates, needs liberating. I hope one day a producer with imagination who gets Lewis (and doesn't just grasp at dollar signs) will rise up and make these movies again and make them well. As it is the puppet film versions of these Narnia stories get the meanings of Lewis even if not delivered in the technology. Adamson's creations are just the opposite (with strangely deviated plot twists to fulfill his own fantasy of making a quasi-epic film).
But our culture has a hard time with the Christian imagination, some say it doesn't exist while others are unsure of what it is. Many, including the evangelicals who throw money at films like this, often have too much in common with the dwarves of Narnia than they do with the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve.
If people do go see the movie, I'd heartily encourage a good reading of the book first to see exactly what happens with this adaptation. Most I've been talking to, haven't re-read the book since childhood and so miss the important refreshment of the spirit that these films could have but utterly miss.
JR
· 1 year ago
Dale, I haven't read your review yet, so far after reading your comments here, I doubt that I'll find much better commentary.
More and more people I have talked to, have loved the film and are recommending it to everyone they talk to. As you two should also be doing!
In response to your response, critics aren't impressive. Sure they can indicate a general view and reflect public opinion if you find enough of them who agree, but come on, what "industry critic" wouldn't give a thumbs down to an inherently Christian story. As you should know from your graduate work in philosophy you can find a sophist to stand up for any point of view. Speaking of critics rottentomatoes.com has Prince Caspian registering at 60%-80% favorable from about 150+ different critics. So don't give me "I was a theater major, I know better" lines.
If you really want to make an argument from how the masses accept the film, box office tallies would be a better indicator so only time will tell on that one. So far 55M on opening weekend ain't bad, it's no box office record but don't count your chickens till they hatch.
Here is a great commentary from a well respected Christian professor at some fundamental bible school in the LA area, Oh yeah, didn't you all go there? and get your fancy degrees from that school?
p.s. It's funny that the "impotently large figure" as you say, is clearly the Hero of the film who turns the tide. If that's what you call impotence, than get me some of that! The three princes/kings are protagonists, yes, brave, sure, but hero's, no. And if you don't think that Aslan is clearly the savior/hero of the film than the next best you could argue is Lucy, and she is only trusting in Aslan. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that's called begging the question. Oops did I just beat up a straw-man, I'm gonna have to stop doing that.
Jonalyn Grace Fincher
· 1 year ago
JR I wanted to briefly write and ask you to watch the tone in which you criticize.
The way we speak truth into other's lives is just as important as the truth we share. Please do not insult, mock or belittle others who do not share your point of view. Suffice it to say we disagree on the merits of the Narnia movie.
I welcome your critique, but not your dismissive attitude, your use of logical fallacies to "beat up" on others around you. If you do not take the time to read other's commentary (as in Dale's review of Prince Caspian) please do not criticize further. We are all wayfarers on the road together and it is unflattering to you to belittle other's degrees, training, and perspective. If you continue your tone, I will have no choice but to delete your comments.
We all want to seek truth, goodness and beauty together.
Tasha
· 1 year ago
I have to agree completely with your and Dale's review of Prince Caspian. In short, the movie was painful. It was like watching one of those cheesy teen parody films (the lowest form of film making ever) that makes you want those two hours of your life back. Removed from the fact that Prince Caspian was ever a book, the movie is barely passable, just barely. JR, please refrain from the type of immature rabble that has driven adults to distrust us teens (As a teen myself, I am assuming you are one by your language). If you are an adult, then I truly take pity on you and hope you grow up soon.
Jonalyn Grace Fincher
· 1 year ago
For another enjoyable, valuable review of Prince Caspian see "Jeffrey Overstreet's blog" You'll find a hopefulness in how Jeffrey gets what has happened to Narnia
Will De Hart
· 1 year ago
Jonalyn,
I liked Prince Caspian a lot. True, I had a reaction like yours with Lord of the Rings. That is one of my favorites and everywhere the movie left the book, I was sad.
Prince Caspian--I had no idea the movie was coming. I just looked up, saw it, took the family, and had a great time. I liked it much more than the first one, and I think it has a lot to do with Lucy.
Anonymous
· 1 year ago
If you want a faithful rendition of the world of Narnia the BBC put out series of videos years ago. The special effects are not all that flash but it represents the Narnia I love very faithfully. Most of the dialogue in the series comes straight from the books. Of the series of videos Prince Caspain is the least well done. If the producers had the talent of CS Lewis to create a magical world then perhaps playing games with the plot could be accepted. But they don't and the Narnia of my drens and imagination will always be better than a Hollywood creation.
bjork hater
· 1 year ago
I am one of the biggest Narnia fans ever - and of course, I refer to the books. I've read the entire series nearly a dozen times.
I agree 100% with your review. I found Prince Caspian to be a gigantic letdown. If I had an issue with the "ice river" scene in LTWTW, that was NOTHING compared to this film.
It seemed like it was completely inspired by LOTR. I even joked that Weta was just trying to recycle some of their graphics. (Helm's Deep, anyone?) I had a HUGE problem with how they portrayed Peter in this film (which was an extension of his pride and snobbery in the first one, which I also disliked.)
Peter would NEVER decide to "storm the castle" because he was too proud to admit that maybe it wasn't the best idea.
I don't mind if producers decide to add/subtract things, but they have to be true to the original story and characters, and this film most definitely was not.
I went to school for film and film editing. Since I was a child it was my dream to put the Chronicles onto the big screen. Obviously that has happened without me, but let me say that if I ever had the chance, I would be as true to the story as possible.
If LTWTW was 90% true to the book, Prince Caspian is %40 true. How disappointing.
Jonalyn Grace Fincher
· 1 year ago
Will- yes Lucy is such a beautiful heroine in this movie and book, though I wish they had done a better job showing how Aslan empowers her
Anonymous- YES, I recall those old BBC versions. I'm glad you reminded me. I want to check them out again to restore my imagination... even with such a low budget they were so much more faithful to the feeling, spirit, power of Narnia (bjork hater- have you seen them?)
nancy martin
· 1 year ago
Ever since Dale's review of the first movie, I've wished he could be an advisor or in some way contribute to the creation of these films.
Hmmmm ... how about you two partnering with some filmmakers and doing it right????
That would be well worth seeing!!!
asharpfamily
· 1 year ago
Nice job on your review. I too wass disturbed by the White Witch re-appearance...........is evil conquered forever or not? Also, Aslan seemed to be minimized factor to the overall message. I agree with your theological lens!
Jonalyn Grace Fincher
· 1 year ago
Nancy,
You do us great honor, I wish we could advise a future movie, but how to make such a contact???
In light of yours and "asharpfamily"'s comments I wanted to ask if you've read the well-written review by Jeffrey Overstreet (above) He gives a fun explanation that takes my (and Dale's critic) a step further up and further in.
Asharpfamily- you're right, from the movie you'd think evil has the same power of resurrection as Aslan without having to offer a sacrificial death.
Thank you for the kind words.
asharpfamily
· 1 year ago
Jonalyn,
Exactly! Kinda defeats I John 4:4
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
Mary Jo and I enjoy your's and Dale's work. Thanks for your ministry.
All Comments
My heart sank when I read your post because I have been anticipating the movie so much. I have to admit that the trailers have left me a bit cold. I recently read the book in preparation for the film and it looks like it will be a hard act to follow.
There is so much back story and texture to the book and I'm sure it would be hard to capture that magic and flavor in an epic Hollywood film.
I'll see it in the theater but will be aware of the subtle and not so subtle changes.
I'm sorry but your commentary is maybe 5% to 10% accurate. And even then the places you get it right your perspective is so skewed you don't even allow yourself to see where the film makers did their job extraordinarily well and how true to the grand story Prince Caspian really was.
If I have time, I will write a point by point refutation of your flawed analysis, but in the meantime, everyone should go and see this film, it is fantastic! Granted it can have its cheesy moments, but it is an excellent presentation on the silver screen of Lewis' "Martian" novel in the Narnia Cronicles.
-see M.Ward's Planet Narnia for more info on the books mythological planetary themes.
Yet you'd find it quite odd if Ludlum fans discovered producers changed the hero of their books from Jason Bourne to Bourne's girlfriend. The Narnia films are something similar to that.
Jackson's Lord of the Rings made its deviations from the books, but still captured the spirit of Middle-Earth. So the big screen doesn't require such a large failure as Adamson has made, in my opinion, with the Narnia franchise (and it seems clear now that Gresham knows not how to maintain quality control).
___________
jr, I wonder if you watched the same movie. I'm a little familiar with Ward and not surprised at Medieval cosmology or anything pertaining to Lewis' expertise peeking through in Lewis' writing.
With separate graduate degrees in acting and philosophy, and having baptized my imagination in Lewis and his influences, I find myself remotely qualified to say that this movie flopped hard at delivering the meanings of Lewis' book (Aslan is no more than an impotently large creature) and the acting performances of Peter and Susan were flat, dull, and frighteningly resemble the poor-twin of the real Peter and Lucy of the books.
And a brief google search will reveal that many found critics Adamson's creativity too involved in "add fantasy formula and stir" approach, with imitation, not imagination. We all saw flashes of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Return of the Jedi and the like.
The real Narnia is a place we'd all like to be, but I'm afraid this film version, hijacked by the pirates, needs liberating. I hope one day a producer with imagination who gets Lewis (and doesn't just grasp at dollar signs) will rise up and make these movies again and make them well. As it is the puppet film versions of these Narnia stories get the meanings of Lewis even if not delivered in the technology. Adamson's creations are just the opposite (with strangely deviated plot twists to fulfill his own fantasy of making a quasi-epic film).
But our culture has a hard time with the Christian imagination, some say it doesn't exist while others are unsure of what it is. Many, including the evangelicals who throw money at films like this, often have too much in common with the dwarves of Narnia than they do with the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve.
If people do go see the movie, I'd heartily encourage a good reading of the book first to see exactly what happens with this adaptation. Most I've been talking to, haven't re-read the book since childhood and so miss the important refreshment of the spirit that these films could have but utterly miss.
I haven't read your review yet, so far after reading your comments here, I doubt that I'll find much better commentary.
More and more people I have talked to, have loved the film and are recommending it to everyone they talk to. As you two should also be doing!
In response to your response, critics aren't impressive. Sure they can indicate a general view and reflect public opinion if you find enough of them who agree, but come on, what "industry critic" wouldn't give a thumbs down to an inherently Christian story. As you should know from your graduate work in philosophy you can find a sophist to stand up for any point of view. Speaking of critics rottentomatoes.com has Prince Caspian registering at 60%-80% favorable from about 150+ different critics. So don't give me "I was a theater major, I know better" lines.
If you really want to make an argument from how the masses accept the film, box office tallies would be a better indicator so only time will tell on that one. So far 55M on opening weekend ain't bad, it's no box office record but don't count your chickens till they hatch.
Here is a great commentary from a well respected Christian professor at some fundamental bible school in the LA area, Oh yeah, didn't you all go there? and get your fancy degrees from that school?
Read here Wonderful Film, Better Than the Book to see what other thoughtful Christian folks are saying about the film.
p.s. It's funny that the "impotently large figure" as you say, is clearly the Hero of the film who turns the tide. If that's what you call impotence, than get me some of that! The three princes/kings are protagonists, yes, brave, sure, but hero's, no. And if you don't think that Aslan is clearly the savior/hero of the film than the next best you could argue is Lucy, and she is only trusting in Aslan. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that's called begging the question. Oops did I just beat up a straw-man, I'm gonna have to stop doing that.
I wanted to briefly write and ask you to watch the tone in which you criticize.
The way we speak truth into other's lives is just as important as the truth we share. Please do not insult, mock or belittle others who do not share your point of view. Suffice it to say we disagree on the merits of the Narnia movie.
I welcome your critique, but not your dismissive attitude, your use of logical fallacies to "beat up" on others around you. If you do not take the time to read other's commentary (as in Dale's review of Prince Caspian) please do not criticize further. We are all wayfarers on the road together and it is unflattering to you to belittle other's degrees, training, and perspective. If you continue your tone, I will have no choice but to delete your comments.
We all want to seek truth, goodness and beauty together.
JR, please refrain from the type of immature rabble that has driven adults to distrust us teens (As a teen myself, I am assuming you are one by your language). If you are an adult, then I truly take pity on you and hope you grow up soon.
You'll find a hopefulness in how Jeffrey gets what has happened to Narnia
I liked Prince Caspian a lot. True, I had a reaction like yours with Lord of the Rings. That is one of my favorites and everywhere the movie left the book, I was sad.
Prince Caspian--I had no idea the movie was coming. I just looked up, saw it, took the family, and had a great time. I liked it much more than the first one, and I think it has a lot to do with Lucy.
I agree 100% with your review. I found Prince Caspian to be a gigantic letdown. If I had an issue with the "ice river" scene in LTWTW, that was NOTHING compared to this film.
It seemed like it was completely inspired by LOTR. I even joked that Weta was just trying to recycle some of their graphics. (Helm's Deep, anyone?) I had a HUGE problem with how they portrayed Peter in this film (which was an extension of his pride and snobbery in the first one, which I also disliked.)
Peter would NEVER decide to "storm the castle" because he was too proud to admit that maybe it wasn't the best idea.
I don't mind if producers decide to add/subtract things, but they have to be true to the original story and characters, and this film most definitely was not.
I went to school for film and film editing. Since I was a child it was my dream to put the Chronicles onto the big screen. Obviously that has happened without me, but let me say that if I ever had the chance, I would be as true to the story as possible.
If LTWTW was 90% true to the book, Prince Caspian is %40 true. How disappointing.
Anonymous- YES, I recall those old BBC versions. I'm glad you reminded me. I want to check them out again to restore my imagination... even with such a low budget they were so much more faithful to the feeling, spirit, power of Narnia (bjork hater- have you seen them?)
Hmmmm ... how about you two partnering with some filmmakers and doing it right????
That would be well worth seeing!!!
You do us great honor, I wish we could advise a future movie, but how to make such a contact???
In light of yours and "asharpfamily"'s comments I wanted to ask if you've read the well-written review by Jeffrey Overstreet (above) He gives a fun explanation that takes my (and Dale's critic) a step further up and further in.
Asharpfamily- you're right, from the movie you'd think evil has the same power of resurrection as Aslan without having to offer a sacrificial death.
Thank you for the kind words.
Exactly! Kinda defeats I John 4:4
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
Mary Jo and I enjoy your's and Dale's work. Thanks for your ministry.
Roger Sharp
Friendswood, TX
asharpfamily