As a Narnia lover, seated in the dim theaters, cozy with a bucket of popcorn on my lap and the movie unfolding, I felt ... at home.
You must understand I have a close relationship with Narnia: I have known it all my life. I grew up reading the books and watching the BBC movies. If there were ever a sick day and I stayed home from school (which wasn't often), the movies I would watch were Narnia.
Being the Narnia lover that I am, I have continually tracked its progression as the new movies unfurled and I am happy to say they succeed. Not only do these movies succeed, they spectacularly outdo their prequel, as "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" does.
In the latest installment of the "Chronicles of Narnia," the younger of the Pevensie children, Edmund and Lucy (played by Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) are staying with their horrid relatives -- particularly the brattiest cousin one could ever imagine: Eustace (Will Poulter) -- during World-War-II London, England. Your heart just breaks for them as they are subjected to the immature ways of life compared to their glorious days as King and Queen in Narnia.
Then, just when you think you can't bear it anymore, Lucy, Edmund and their obnoxious cousin Eustace are whisked away back to Narnia -- their true home which seems to be in the form of a lifelike painting no less. Once there, they embark on a mission with King (no longer Prince) Caspian (played by the superb Ben Barnes) to find the lost seven lords of Narnia and rid the land of an evil green mist that snatches people away by the boatloads.
Once again, Henley, as Lucy, charms as an innocent girl, determined to do the right thing, and Keynes keeps in the spirit of the helpful and ever constant Edmund. To add to the family ties, a new family member is introduced: Cousin Eustace. Watching the film, you are left in disbelief thinking how someone could be so obnoxious, but then if you really think he is that horrible, Poulter must be doing a good job. And that he was; there were a few cases when I wanted to reach into that screen and slap the little whiner myself.
Now yes, I will admit the movie is a bit choppy, often playing in almost a chapteristic way. However, the whole story line is there and does not leave one confused. The other sad and disappointing aspect of the movie is the absence of Susan and Peter (Anna Popplewell and William Moseley). The two older Pevensie children no longer travel to Narnia as they were deemed "grown up" by the majestic Aslan.
Despite the minor setbacks, Narnia still pulls through. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" captures that pure essence of disappearing into a beautiful and mystic land where you get to literally live in a fairy tale, something, I know we all, no matter how much you deny, desperately want. Complete with golden treasure, a kind dragon, talking animals and, of course, a happy ending, Narnia has it all.
It is also no secret that C.S. Lewis's novels are heavily influenced with religious Christian background, and "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is not an exception. The movie is bursting with devout analogies, but then again, what else is new?
Overall, Narnia will leave you satisfied and definitely craving more of its innocent messages and exotic scenery. I don't know about you, but Narnia sure sounds like a good place to me.
Lynette Randall is a junior at Clearfield High School who loves river rafting, rock climbing, wave running and reading. E-mail her at climber174@yahoo.com.
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