Voyage of the Dawn Treader-
Dec. 10th, 2010 10:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mary_j_59Well, my sister and I and a friend are just back from Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and here is my report. Warning - some spoilers ahead:
Is it as good as the book? Overall, not quite. Movies seldom are. But this was as good as the book in a couple of key respects, and not so good in a couple of others. They dumbed the story down a little, as my sister said, and the film was also rushed in a couple of places. I would have liked to have seen more of the magician's island and a bit less of the very hideous sea serpent, for example! And I would have liked it if they'd done Ramandu's Island correctly. What there was, was good, but there wasn't quite enough. On the other hand-
They did a very, very nice job with the characters. All the cast acquitted themselves well, but I was especially impressed - and pleased - with Reepicheep and Eustace. Their friendship was touching and Will Poulter was excellent as Eustace. I noticed that Reepicheep was also very much an adult to the child Eustace; he doesn't just give him a drubbing, for example, as he does in the book. Instead, he takes pains to teach him - swordsmanship, courage, courtesy. It was subtly done, but really rather lovely. Reepicheep's longing for Aslan's country also came through beautifully.
And, speaking of beauty, the scenery was splendid and the music well used and unobtrusive. I found it a likeable and honorable adaptation. Not the best movie of the year, perhaps, but thoroughly enjoyable if you love the book and are willing to give the filmmakers a bit of a break for changing things. The themes of temptation, repentance and transformation came through very well.
More later. Deirdre and I were looking for Sydpad's name in the credits, but didn't spot her this time.
Is it as good as the book? Overall, not quite. Movies seldom are. But this was as good as the book in a couple of key respects, and not so good in a couple of others. They dumbed the story down a little, as my sister said, and the film was also rushed in a couple of places. I would have liked to have seen more of the magician's island and a bit less of the very hideous sea serpent, for example! And I would have liked it if they'd done Ramandu's Island correctly. What there was, was good, but there wasn't quite enough. On the other hand-
They did a very, very nice job with the characters. All the cast acquitted themselves well, but I was especially impressed - and pleased - with Reepicheep and Eustace. Their friendship was touching and Will Poulter was excellent as Eustace. I noticed that Reepicheep was also very much an adult to the child Eustace; he doesn't just give him a drubbing, for example, as he does in the book. Instead, he takes pains to teach him - swordsmanship, courage, courtesy. It was subtly done, but really rather lovely. Reepicheep's longing for Aslan's country also came through beautifully.
And, speaking of beauty, the scenery was splendid and the music well used and unobtrusive. I found it a likeable and honorable adaptation. Not the best movie of the year, perhaps, but thoroughly enjoyable if you love the book and are willing to give the filmmakers a bit of a break for changing things. The themes of temptation, repentance and transformation came through very well.
More later. Deirdre and I were looking for Sydpad's name in the credits, but didn't spot her this time.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-12-21 02:47 pm (UTC)I did mean to take your book up to Edinburgh and read through it over Christmas, but as the trains are likely to be very crowded I'm trying to take as little as possible. In the new year I am moving flats and moving offices, but I will try to be a bit more organised! Anyway, I hope that you and your family have a very happy Christmas!
no subject
Date: 2010-12-22 03:11 am (UTC)I'll always be glad to hear your thoughts on the book as a whole whenever you get around to it. Hadn't forgotten that you have to move - which I always find a stressful process!
But, as to the movie, we've seen it twice now, and I just found that, despite its imperfections, it resonated with me emotionally in a way the other two did not. And that was due to Eustace and Reepicheep. There were some false notes elsewhere, and some actual silliness, but those two were perfect. Won't say more so as not to spoil you.
BTW, I do think I owe you another comment on your story-in-progress, and I'm afraid I won't get to that till after Christmas. But I will get to it! Hope you will travel safely and that all your moves go well in the New Year.