The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Cast: Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Will Poulter, Liam Neeson
Director: Michael Apted
Rating: 3.5/5
It has been two years since we were last transported to the C.S. Lewis’ Narnia but with a new director at the helm the third movie in the franchise has hit the big screen.
Michael Apted has replaced Andrew Adamson in the director’s chair for the latest instalment as Ben Barnes, Georgie and Skandar Keynes all return as Caspian, Lucy and Edmund while Will Poulter takes on the role of peskey cousin Eustace.
After being swallowed by a painting Edmund, Lucy and Eustace find themselves on a Narnia ship heading for the very edge of the world.
Joining forces with old friend Caspian, who is now King, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond.
Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan's Country, a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader, can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a good old fashioned adventure movie that sweeps you away to another world.
We finally see some character development in this movie as Edmund struggles being the second son and playing to Peter and now Caspian while Lucy is struggling to find her place as she lives in the shadow of Lucy.
And Caspian is battling some demons of his own as he feels unworthy of the task of King and questions his ability to lead his people.
So when there darkest fears come back to plague the trio their friendship is put to the test. But it’s Will Poulter’s Eustace that really steals the show as he continues to doubt the existence of Narnia even when he is stood in it.
Poulter brings some much needed humour to the movie as his performance as the rather irritating Eustace is pitch perfect and very funny.
Visually the film I once again superb, but 3D was really not required and did little to bring the world of Narnia to life.
One footed dwarfs, sea serpents and dragons are all wonderfully brought to life throw in series of sword fights and action scenes and you have a great family friendly movie.
Ok so it doesn’t exactly break new ground in the fantasy movie genre, and it’s not quite a bang on adaptation, but there’s plenty here to keep everyone entertained.
And this could be the last time that we will voyage to Narnia and if the curtain is to come down on the franchise then it does go out with a bang.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is out now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw