The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Time is relative, and none are so aware of this fact than the dimension-traveling Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie as they return to the Kingdom of Narnia after one year’s absence. In Narnian time, this translates into 1,300 years, and all has changed in the foreign land of their previous adventure (“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”). The Golden Age is history and Narnia has fallen to the evil conquers, the Telmarines led by King Miraz. The king has but one desire, to place his new-born son on the throne of Narnia. But, one small detail has to be taken care of first, Prince Caspian, the rightful heir.

Driven from his life of luxury at the castle, Caspian must learn the ways of the forest if he is to survive. Fortunately the young “kings and Queens of Narnia” have returned to help him escape the evil Miraz and, with the help of Aslan, restore him to the throne. Along the way Reepicheep, a very helpful and entertaining mouse, Trufflehunter, a friendly badger, a few willing dwarfs and all of the assorted Narnian beings lend their talents to save the day, and Narnia from certain doom.

The battles are fierce, but surprisingly, not at all bloody, therefore the mild MPAA rating is safe for this adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ children’s book. But, there is no doubt that a violent war is raging throughout most of the film. Battle scenes are a bit long, grueling and scary for the younger viewers.

Mary K. Morgan is a member of the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association.