With the advent (word for the week, obviously) of the new Narnia movie, I finished rereading Prince Caspian last week. I thoroughly enjoy the whole series (with the exception of The Silver Chair) each time I read it and this time was no different. James and I were considering seeing the movie on Friday when it opened but I was not feeling so hot so we stayed home and had milkshakes instead (hey, it works for me!) Reports on the movie are starting to trickle in, slowly but surely.
From what I have heard about the movie, several key elements were changed. I have not seen the movie, so I cannot speak with authority on these changes. As a theatre major, I can understand license being taken with the story to make it more dramatically enticing. However, with stories that three generations have grown up loving, perhaps a closer adherence to the story line would be a wiser choice.
I believe C.S. Lewis was making definitive character statements with the actions of his characters so to contemporize the actions or muddle them too much really takes away from the overall point of the movie. Of course, these are all just the feelings of a Lewis afficiando, so take them for what they’re worth.
How about you? Did you see the new movie yet? Are you a reader of the stories? How do you feel the changes add or detract from the author’s original intent? I would love to hear your thoughts on these questions. Drop me a comment and I’ll be sure to respond back in the comment section.
Happy Sunday!