The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review

2/5

With a new director for the third installment of Lewis’ Chronicles, Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough, Gorillas in the Mist) continues the saga which sees Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) return to the world of Narnia with their supercilious cousin Eustace (Will Poulter) to help King Caspian (Ben Barnes) destroy a corrupting evil which is oppressing the people of Narnia.

Whilst the film contains some mildly impressive special effects, its plot trundles on never offering any real sense of danger.

The protagonists continuously manage to evade any serious harm and appear to be somewhat of a nuisance to the Narnians who find themselves ever risking their lives to save them. The acting is relatively dry, exemplified by the fact that the children are incredibly irritating.

The film is perhaps saved by highly entertaining performances from Simon Pegg of the rapier bearing mouse Reepicheep and despite his odious nature, Will Poulter (Son of Rambow, School of Comedy) pulls off an impressive Eustace.

As a Christmas time family film it provides adequate entertainment for children who would be too young to notice its allusions to Christianity instead enjoying its melee of fantastical creatures and characters.

However, for an older audience, its lack of suspense and generally mediocre acting will leave many somewhat unsatisfied.

Taken from The Student, published Tue Jan 11th 2011.