Critical response to the Chronicles of Narnia films

Critical response to the Chronicles of Narnia films
The current logo for the Chronicles of Narnia film series

The Chronicles of Narnia film series is distributed by Walt Disney Pictures (1st film) & (2nd film)/20th Century Fox (3rd film), produced by Mark Johnson and based on The Chronicles of Narnia novels by British author C.S Lewis. The franchise consists of three fantasy-adventure films and is the 19th highest-grossing film series of all time.[1]

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic Yahoo! Movies
Overall Top Critics
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 76% (206 reviews)[2] 76% (38 reviews)[3] 75/100 (39 reviews)[4] B (13 reviews)[5]
Prince Caspian 67% (179 reviews)[6] 62% (37 reviews)[7] 62/100 (34 reviews)[8] B- (14 reviews)[9]
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 50% (151 reviews)[10] 50% (26 reviews)[11] 53/100 (32 reviews)[12] C+ (10 reviews)[13]

Contents

Andrew Adamson films

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The film received positive reviews from critics, with a 76% "certified fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes and 156 of the listed 206 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10. Metacritic gives the movie a 75 out of 100, based on 39 reviews.[14] Respected critic Roger Ebert also gave the film 3 out of 4 stars. Ebert and Roeper gave the movie "Two Thumbs Up". Movie critic Leonard Maltin gave the film 3 out of four stars, calling it, "an impressive and worthwhile family film," though he also said, "it does go on a bit and the special effects are extremely variable."[15] Duane Dudak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel gave the movie 3 out of 4 stars. Stuart Klawans of The Nation said, "All ticket buyers will get their money's worth."[16] Elizabeth Weitzman of New York Daily News gave it 4 out of 4 stars and said: "A generation-spanning journey that feels both comfortingly familiar and excitingly original." Critic Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle listed it as the second best film of the year.[17] Kit Bowen (Hollywood.com) gives this film 3 out of 4 stars.[18]

However, John Anderson from Newsday, reacted negatively to the film, stating, "…there's a deliberateness, a fastidiousness and a lack of daring and vision that marks the entire operation."[19]

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The film received generally favorable reviews.[20] The review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 67% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 179 reviews.[21] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 62 out of 100, based on 34 reviews.[20] Audience members polled by CinemaScore mostly gave it an A-.[22] Film critic Leonard Maltin gave the film 3 out of 4 stars (as he did with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe), calling the performances "strong", the storytelling "solid", and the scenery "breathtaking", though he also said, "it's a dark tale, and the climactic battle scenes go on at length."[23]

Two film industry trade journals gave the film positive reviews. Todd McCarthy of Variety felt Adamson's direction had a "surer sense of cinematic values" and praised the improved special effects, the "timeless" locations and production design. On the performances, he felt "the four kids overall have more character and are therefore more interesting to watch than they were before, and Italian actor Castellitto registers strongly with evil that's implacable but not overplayed."[24] Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter noted the film was darker than its predecessor, with "the loss of innocence theme [...] significantly deepened". He highlighted Peter Dinklage's performance, which "outmaneuver[ed] the title character as Narnia's most colorful new inhabitant";.[25]

A number of critics took issue with what they interpreted as the film's underlying messages. San Francisco Chronicle critic Mick Lasalle wrote in his parental advisory that "basically, this is a movie about kids who go into another world and dimension and spend the whole time killing people."[26] MSNBC reviewer Alonso Duralde noted that "all the heroes have British accents while the Telmarines are all decidedly Mediterranean in appearance and inflection".[27] An Anglican Journal review described the movie as reasonably faithful to the adventure elements of the book, much lighter on the religious faith aspects, which they found integral to the novel, and deficient on character and emotion.[28]

The Visual Effects Society nominated it for Best Visual Effects and Best Compositing.[29] It was nominated for Best Fantasy Film, Best Costumes, Best Make-up, and Best Special Effects at the Saturn Awards.[30] Keynes and Henley received nominations at the Young Artist Awards.[31]

In 2010 Mark Johnson, a producer from all of the Narnia movies, admitted that "We made some mistakes with Prince Caspian and I don't want to make them again." He also said Caspian lacked some of the "wonder and magic of Narnia," was "a little bit too rough" for families, and too much of a "boys' action movie."[32]

Michael Apted film

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Director of the third film

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has been met with mixed reviews from critics. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 50% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on a sample of 151 reviews, with a rating average of 5.8 out of 10. Among Rotten Tomatoes' Top Critics, which consists of popular and notable critics from the top newspapers, websites, television and radio programs, the film holds an overall approval rating of 50%, based on a sample of 26 reviews.[33] The consensus was: "Its leisurely, businesslike pace won't win the franchise many new fans, but Voyage of the Dawn Treader restores some of the Narnia franchise's lost luster with strong performances and impressive special effects." On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating from film critics, the film has a rating score of 53% based on 33 reviews.[34] CinemaScore polls conducted during the opening weekend revealed the average grade cinemagoers gave the film an A- on an A+ to F scale.[35]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the film and gave it three stars out of four, saying "This is a rip-snorting adventure fantasy for families, especially the younger members who are not insistent on continuity."[36] Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel gave it a three stars out of four; he remarked it is "a worthy challenger to the far more popular Harry Potter pictures".[37] The Guardian gave the film a positive review. They stated that the film "arrives with confidence and bravado intact. ... and arguably the most Tolkien-esque of the Narnia books".[38] IGN was positive, stating "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a solid sequel that might even surpass the first entry as the best in the series for some fans. It also bodes well for the future of this once iffy franchise." [39] Several film critics have praised Apted's direction in character development and Poulter's performance as Eustace. Among them, Arizona Republic's Kerry Lengel said, "the best thing about the film is neither the top-notch CGI nor the shallow moral lessons but the performance of Georgie Henley as Lucy as well as the performance of her and Edmund's insufferable cousin Eustace Scrubb." [40] Luke Y. Thompson from E! Online praised the performances, stating "Henley and Keynes are charming as ever, and Poulter's turn as Eustace injects a welcome note of comedic cynicism into the sea of sentimentality. Simon Pegg ably succeeds Eddie Izzard as mouse warrior Reepicheep, Bille Brown's sorcerer Coriakin has a fun performance and a sequence in which Lucy inadvertently wishes her life away is brilliantly disorienting and nightmarish."[41]

Less positive reviews include Justin Chang of Variety, who said, "this f/x-heavy third adaptation of the Christian-themed fantasy series feels routine and risk-averse in every respect, as if investment anxiety had fatally hobbled its sense of wonder".[42] Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C saying that, "Lewis embedded his engrossing, popular fantasies with child-size lessons in virtue, served with an overlay of Christian allegory for those who wish to seek it. What's less expected is that the movie, directed by Michael Apted (taking over from a more sprightly, fantasy-savvy Andrew Adamson, who handled the first two, along with the first two Shreks), looks and feels so wooden, so cheesy. The action sequences are full of dutifully tricky, chessboard fighting lunges and sword swings; the talking special-effects mouse, Reepicheep (previously voiced by Eddie Izzard, now by Simon Pegg), talks a lot."[43] Amy Biancolli of the San Francisco Chronicle also gave the film an unfavorable review and called it, "the third and most uneven film adaptation in the series."[44]

Despite the movie adaptation of the book to appeal to the "everyman" and not just to Christian audiences and Lewis fans (with the introduction of the search for the seven swords side plot, the continued reoccurrence of the White Queen, and the larger role for the dragon Eustace), Christian reviewers found much to like about the movie. Key for many was the closing scene with Lucy and Aslan in which Aslan assures a sobbing Lucy "that he's very much in her world, where he has 'another name'. and that "This was the very reason why (Lucy was) brought to Narnia, that by knowing (Aslan) here for a little, (she) may know (him) better there." This was in direct contradiction to the first two Narnia movies in which Christian reviewers felt that the director failed to grasp and accurately reproduce key sections and overriding themes from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian.[45][46]

References

  1. ^ "All Time Worldwide Box Office Grosses". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/. Retrieved 14 September 2009. 
  2. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_lion_witch_wardrobe/. Retrieved ?. 
  3. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Top Critics)". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_lion_witch_wardrobe/?critic=creamcrop. Retrieved ?. 
  4. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/lionthewitchandthewardrobe. Retrieved ?. 
  5. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Critics Reviews". Yahoo! Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808475642/critic. Retrieved ?. 
  6. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_prince_caspian/. Retrieved ?. 
  7. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Top Critics)". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_prince_caspian/?critic=creamcrop. Retrieved ?. 
  8. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/princecaspian. Retrieved ?. 
  9. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - Critics Reviews". Yahoo! Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809244324/critic. Retrieved ?. 
  10. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_the_voyage_of_the_dawn_treader/. Retrieved ?. 
  11. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Top Critics)". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_the_voyage_of_the_dawn_treader/?critic=creamcrop. Retrieved ?. 
  12. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader. Retrieved ?. 
  13. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Critics Reviews". Yahoo! Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809874898/critic. Retrieved ?. 
  14. ^ Metacritic reviews
  15. ^ Leonard Maltin's 2009 movie and video guide page 245
  16. ^ Stuart Klawans. Imitation of Art.
  17. ^ Metacritic: 2005 Film Critic Top Ten Lists
  18. ^ Hollywood.com review
  19. ^ Newsday Review
  20. ^ a b "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/princecaspian. Retrieved 2008-05-16. 
  21. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_prince_caspian/. Retrieved 2010-09-12. 
  22. ^ Scott Bowles (2008-05-18). "'Prince Caspian' rules, but 'Iron Man' stays strong at box office". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-05-18-boxoffice_N.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-18. 
  23. ^ [Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide page 245]
  24. ^ Todd McCarthy (2008-05-09). "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937080.html?categoryid=31&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-05-10. 
  25. ^ Michael Rechtshaffen (2008-05-09). "A bit of the magic is gone, but the enchantment lives on". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20080511112019/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=11075. Retrieved 2008-05-10. 
  26. ^ Mick Lasalle (2008-05-15). "'Narnia' sequel lacks magic". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/15/DDIS10M921.DTL. Retrieved 2008-05-16. 
  27. ^ Alonso Duralde (2008-05-13). "Return to ‘Narnia’ a trip worth taking". MSNBC.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24600327/. Retrieved 2008-05-16. 
  28. ^ John Arkelian (2008-05-20). "Narnia film long on action, short on faith". Anglican Journal. http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/narnia-film-long-on-action-short-on-faith/. Retrieved 2008-05-25. [dead link]
  29. ^ "Visual Effects Society". IESB.net. 2009-01-19. http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6128&Itemid=99. Retrieved 2009-01-19. 
  30. ^ "Nominations for the 35th Annual Saturn Awards". Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. http://www.saturnawards.org/nominations.html. Retrieved 2009-03-17. 
  31. ^ "30th Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. http://youngartistawards.org/noms30.html. Retrieved 2009-03-16. 
  32. ^ "Will 'The Dawn Treader' Float?". Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/news/2010/willdawntreaderfloat.html. Retrieved 2010-03-09. 
  33. ^ "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_the_voyage_of_the_dawn_treader/. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  34. ^ Metacritic (2010-12-09). [>http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) – Metacritic review"]. CBS Interactive. >http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 
  35. ^ "Company Town". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/12/box-office-weak-starts-for-new-narnia-film-depp-and-jolies-tourist-turn-attention-overseas.html. 
  36. ^ Roger Ebert (2010-12-09). "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) – RogerEbert.com :: review". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101208/REVIEWS/101209969. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 
  37. ^ Roger Moore (2010-12-09). "Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2010/12/movie-review-the-chronicles-of-narnia-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader.html. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 
  38. ^ Andrew Pulver (2010-12-01). "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader — review". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/dec/01/chronicles-of-narnia-review. Retrieved 2010-12-02. 
  39. ^ Jim Vejvoda (2010-12-09). "The Chronicles of Narnia-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader review". IGN. http://movies.ign.com/articles/113/1138130p1.html. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 
  40. ^ Kerry Lengel (2010-12-09). "The Chronicles of Narnia-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader review". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117944164. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 
  41. ^ Narnia's The Dawn Treader a Fun Family Adventure on the High Seas
  42. ^ Justin Change (2010-12-09). "Review: The Chronicles of Narnia-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117944164. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 
  43. ^ Reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum. "Movie Review The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)". Ew.com. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20447941,00.html. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  44. ^ Amy Biancolli, Hearst Movie Writer (2010-12-10). "'Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader' review". Sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/10/MV5T1GN4I0.DTL. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  45. ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/news/2010/willdawntreaderfloat.html
  46. ^ http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/screen/voyage-of-dawn-treader-movie-review-goodwyn.aspx

External links

v · d · eThe Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
Characters
and creatures
Aravis • Aslan • Mr. and Mrs. Beaver • Bree • Caspian • Centaurs • Coriakin • Digory • Drinian • Edmund • Emeth • Eustace • Frank and Helen • Hwin • Jill • Lady of the Green Kirtle • Lucy • Maugrim • Miraz • Peter • Polly • Prunaprismia • Puddleglum • Rabadash • Ramandu • Ramandu's Daughter • Reepicheep • Rilian • Seven Great Lords of Narnia • Shasta • Shift • Susan • Tash • Tirian • Trumpkin • Mr. Tumnus • White Witch
Universe
Narnia (world) • Anvard • Archenland • Aslan's Country • Aslan's How • Cair Paravel • Calormen • Charn • Lantern Waste • Miraz's Castle • Narnia (country) • Telmar • Underland • Wood between the Worlds
Adaptations
ITV TV serial • Animated TV film • BBC TV serial (Season 1 • 2 • 3)
Film series
Cast list • Critical response • Music • Character Portrayals • Accolades
Category Category • Portal Portal

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