The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianMovie Reviews

Poster art for "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."

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Avg. Critic Score: 62 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore^® based on all critic reviews

Information for Parents:

OK for kids 10+

Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

80

The Hollywood Reporter | Michael Rechtshaffen
Several shades darker in tone than the previous edition -- which, to be fair, didn't carry the burden of expectation that a sequel must bear -- the return to Narnia still casts a transporting spell. Read full review
80

Washington Post | Ann Hornaday
As portrayed by William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley and especially Anna Popplewell as Susan, the Pevensies still make for terrific tween protagonists, and Aslan, the majestic mythical lion voiced by Liam Neeson, is still a breathtaking manifestation of the Cat Upstairs. Read full review
80

Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan
The film's pronounced split between violence and softness notwithstanding, Prince Caspian is finally a more polished effort than "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and squarely in the tradition of the kind of teenage movies the Disney organization used to make before teens discovered horror and gore. Read full review
80

Variety | Todd McCarthy
Closer to a straight-ahead medieval battle picture than the fantastical, other-worldly journey depicted in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," this new entry is a bit darker, more conventional and more crisply made than its 2005 predecessor. Read full review
75

USA Today | Claudia Puig
An exhilarating fantasy adventure marred only by its length and protracted climactic battle scenes. Read full review
70

The New York Times | A.O. Scott
Quite a bit darker than "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," both in look and in mood. It is also in some ways more satisfying. Read full review
67

Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman
In total effect, Prince Caspian feels a lot more earthbound than "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Read full review
63

Rolling Stone | Peter Travers
Junkies for dark humor should prep for going cold turkey, despite the efforts of director Andrew Adamson to spice things up with combat and a rivalry between Caspian and Peter (good on Moseley for showing some backbone) that Lewis never imagined. Read full review
50

Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern
I wish I could be more enthusiastic about Prince Caspian, an honorable and attractive adventure for children and families. But scenic beauty and spirited action can't conceal its dramatic defects. Read full review
25

San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle
Exactly one minute longer than its predecessor, but it's a dragged-out exercise, with no epic scale and no spirit worth talking about. Read full review

Metacritic link View more reviews for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian on Metacritic

Information for Parents

Common Sense Media says OK for kids 10+ Tween-friendly adaptation is darker than the first.

What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this sequel to the enormously popular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has more dark moments than the first movie. It broods on the nature of deceit, greed, and hunger for power. It also has a brutal one-on-one swordfight (some of the shield slams may leave even adults cringing) and extensive battle scenes that are portrayed as bone-crunching, metal-clanging, sword-lancing riots. All of the main characters, except Lucy, are responsible for many enemy deaths. That said, it's all relatively blood-free: Though characters are pierced by arrows and swords and fall to the ground (many are injured, and some do die), little gore is shown besides the odd cut on the lip or cheek. Younger viewers may notice and be unsettled by the menacing tone throughout most of the movie -- including a scary appearance by the White Witch -- though it's relieved fairly frequently with funny asides from the characters. While not overt, the movie includes Christian imagery and allegorical storylines, and the characters learn clear moral lessons by the end.

Families can talk about whether this film is faithful to the book -- both in spirit and in plot. What was changed? Why do you think the filmmakers strayed from the original story? Which do you like better, and why?
Why do you think Aslan is seen at first only by Lucy. Are there religious/Biblical overtones to her belief in him? What does he mean when he says "Nothing happens the same way twice"?
How do Caspian and Peter handle sharing leadership duties? Are they successful? If not, how do they resolve the issue?

The good stuff

Positive messages: The kings and queens of old, as well as Caspian, fight for what is good and true -- despite many acts of betrayal, deceit, and attempted murder. The Telmarines are determined to exterminate the Narnians, whom they regard as inferior and strange, but their point of view is presented as clearly wrong.
Positive role models: Caspian is tempted by revenge, and Peter's pride leads to disaster, but everyone sees the error of their ways in the end. For the most part, girls are portrayed as courageously as the boys -- though in one scene, a girl needs to be rescued by her prince.

What to watch for

Violence: Lots of swordfights and battles, some of which get pretty brutal. There's not much gore or blood, but there's tons of hitting, lancing, pushing, screaming, clubbing, and stabbing. Many characters are shot with arrows (not much blood shown). One particular one-on-one duel is quite intense and stretches out for some time, and many of the shots are filmed up close. Most of the main characters (including Peter, Edmund, and Susan) dispatch many of their enemies with swords, arrows, and more. There's also lots of discussion of war strategy, and the "bad" guys seem particularly vicious when talking about how to vanquish the Narnians.
Sex: Some mild flirting; a single tender kiss at the end.
Language: "Shut up" and "idiot" are used a few times.
Consumerism: Not an issue
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

Common Sense Media An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.