The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is an enjoyable, often swashbuckling movie. It’s not exactly an exceptional film — I doubt that it’ll ever be considered a cinematic “classic” — but for what it’s worth, this is one adventure that effectively captures the youthful wonderment of journeying to a world of pure fantasy … and danger. Obvious religious undertones aside, what is most effective about the film is its unabashed approach to fantasy: it doesn’t need to anchor the world of Narnia in the realism that so often creeps into modern cinema. The result is a film that is almost sincere to the point of naiveté — which is both a strength and detriment to the final product.

Once again, the story revolves around the Pevensie children. But this time the only siblings to return to Narnia are Edmund and Lucy. Both the characters and actors have matured. And both have their flaws, too. This helps lend a bit of complexity to the film, but the limited acting range of the performers does tend to be problematic from time to time. Still, both Edmund and Lucy are much better here than in the previous Narnia films. But they aren’t alone in their trip to Narnia.

Along for the ride this time is their cousin, Eustace, who takes on the role vacated by Edmund — that of the bungling, oftentimes annoying youth who must learn trust in not only the wonder of Narnia, but also in himself. But even his performance manages to be less grating than Edmund’s in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Returning Narnian characters include Prince Caspian — now King of Narnia — and Reepicheep, the swashbuckling mouse whose honor and courage far exceeds his tiny frame. Both returns are enjoyable and effective, and together with the Pevensie children, help create a welcome sense of continuity to the Narnia story.

The story itself is not unlike previous films. Its main themes include, yet again, that of temptation and faith in a higher power. In this case, the world of Narnia is threatened by an evil, represented by a sinister Green Mist, which forces characters to face their darkest, innermost desires. For example, Lucy wishes she were older and beautiful like her sister, Susan. So she is tempted with achieving such beauty through a spell that, as a consequence, would undo much of what has transpired in her life. It’s an interesting choice to make the main villain of a film something as abstract as “an evil green mist,” but by having the real villains be the secret temptations of the characters works, and provides an effective foundation for the film.  This also allows for some genuine character development, which is always welcome.

Of course, sailing across uncharted seas in a dragon-shaped sailing vessel called the Dawn Treader is also an effective foundation for a story.

What doesn’t work, though, is the film’s need to resort to “characters acting stupidly” to advance its plot. One example occurs shortly after the crew of the Dawn Treader find an uncharted, unknown island. Instead of spending the evening safe on their vessel, they decide to spend the night on shore. Not only that, but none of them bother to set up a watch — guards to keep an eye out for danger while everyone else sleeps. And, sure enough, Lucy is kidnapped and forward the plot moves. It’s unfortunate that the story doesn’t pay enough attention to this kind of detail. The result is a film that is awkward and, oftentimes, unevenly paced — simply because the voyage itself oftentimes struggles to make sense.

Story aside, the film manages an effective, if somewhat unremarkable, production values. The visual effects may not be on the leading edge of innovation, but they work quite well within the context of the film (Reepicheep and the dragon, for example, are particularly noteworthy). The film score, by David Arnold, may not be one the great fantasy soundtracks in cinema history, but it certainly is composed in the spirit of its predecessors. And while it lacks the truly epic feel of Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings or Jerry Goldmith’s Legend, it nonetheless accompanies the film with appropriate measures of action, emotion and wonderment.

Overall Grade: B-

Ultimately, though, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a quest story and as it unfolds, viewers (along with the characters) encounter all manner of strange creatures, incredible magic and uncharted islands. Whether its finding the fabulous Swords of Aslan, fending off a surprisingly menacing and imposing sea dragon, or confronting a dragon in their midst, the crew of the Dawn Treader all face their fears and temptations and, with Aslan’s help of course, triumph over evil yet again. Story and acting missteps aside, it’s a fun ride, one that allows the audience to become a bit like the Pevensie children — to dwell, for a time, in the world of Narnia, only to return once the quest is over.

Topics: Fantasy, Film Review
Filed under: Narnia

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