The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Movie review

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
U; FANTASY
Dir: Michael Apted
Cast: Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Will Poulter, Liam Neeson
Rating: '''

What's it about: Harry Potter fans might look down upon The Chronicles Of Narnia as an enterprise trying to duplicate their success. Despite similarities between the two works (wizardry, magic, heroic children), Narnia has created a niche of its own. After a brilliant start and a weak middle, the third in seriesu00a0-- Voyage of the Dawn Treaderu00a0-- brings back the much deserved glory to the franchise. This time, Edmund (Keynes) and Lucyu00a0 (Henley) are joined by their quirky cousin Eustace (Poulter) as they get sucked into a painting only to find themselves back in their parallel world Narnia where they are royalty. The Dawn Treader is a ship led by King Caspian (Barnes) as it sets sail to find seven magical swords and free an island held captive under an evil spell. The majestic Aslan (Neeson) returns and so does the valiant mouse Reepicheep (Simon Pegg). Together they travel the distance, face adversaries, and eventually battle their innermost fears.

What's hot: Shot on the scenic shores of New Zealand, the film is a piece of beauty. Every single frame is filled with vibrant colours and textures. Despite the use of CGI and technical wizardry, it is the the lush landscapes and aerial shots of the cliffs and coast lines that stand out. Unlike the first two parts, the third has a slow start but once the tempo sets in, the journey gets really interesting. Will Poulter is brilliant as Eustace. He has the right blend of arrogance and innocence to make the newest addition to the cast the brightest idea from the casting director. Most of the laughs and light moments come from Poulter who undergoes the most unimaginable transformation in the second half. With Peter and Susan missing in action, it's up to Edmund and Lucy to take charge. Even though their feeble shoulders shudder under the weight of their responsibilities, both the actors do a great job playing their parts. Be it the tongue-in- cheek camaraderie or action sequences, Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes stand up to the challenge. Those wanting to gorge on magical tales and mythical characters won't be disappointed. There are ample subplots where the use of 3D brings out the best in the script. If you strip the story of its SFX and fantasy world, there are subtle messages of courage, hope and bravery that will touch your heart. Aslan's farewell to the Pevensie children as they return to their home in London is spectacular not just for its visuals, but also in the way it's played out.

What's not: Dialogues are bland and heavy. 'Belief is all we have' or 'Defeat the dark within' are extremely clich ufffdd and age old given the premise. Since most of the film is set on a boat, the pace lags till they drop anchor on the first island and the action starts rolling. Until then, there are mock fights and filler conversations to lead up to the grand climax which is somehow worth the wait. Ben Barnes is dull and boring as Prince Caspian. He might have the looks but lacks the conviction required to play the part. 3D only works in limited scenes; otherwise the use of the technology seems like one big gimmick employed simply to follow what everyone else is doing.

What to do: For its visual appeal and enchanting story, this voyage is definitely worth taking.u00a0