The new 'Narnia' is bigger, better

Murray Close, Associated Press

In this image released by Disney,actors, from left, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Ben Barnes, Anna Popplewell and Skandar Keynes are shown in a scene from the film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."

"Prince Caspian" tops its predecessor in every way.

By COLIN COVERT, Star Tribune

Last update: May 15, 2008 - 6:04 PM

The repeated catchphrase in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" is rumbled by the majestic lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson). "Things never happen the same way twice," he proclaims, and true enough, the ambitious sequel to 2005's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is bigger, brasher, more magical and funnier than the first.

This film does a graceful job of straddling the gap between C.S. Lewis' Christian-tinged fantasy and Peter Jackson's armor-rattling "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

There's a touch of "Harry Potter" in the mix too: The Pevensie children -- Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) -- take a magical tube ride from WWII-era London to the enchanted land where they lived as kings and queens.

One earthly year has passed since they returned home from Narnia, but 1,300 have elapsed in the strange world that they re-enter. Their former castle lies in ruins. There is little magic in the kingdom, save a few centaurs and talking animals. Aslan has not been seen for generations. The Narnians have been routed by the human Telmarines, ruled by ruthless Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), who has usurped the throne of Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes).

Director Andrew Adamson ("Shrek" and the first "Narnia") must have been shouting "More! Faster! Bigger!" through his bullhorn. The action scarcely flags as chases on horseback and broadsword duels pile upon catapult barrages and clashing armies. Hot-tempered Peter bristles at Caspian's chastely romantic attentions to Susan, who offers the classic brush-off, "It would never work. After all, I am 1,300 years older than you."

The supporting cast is deep with talent, notably Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin, a testy dwarf; a chivalrous, sword-fighting mouse amusingly voiced by Eddie Izzard, and a cavalry of noble centaurs.

Tilda Swinton's ice queen virtually steals the show in a brief, chilling cameo. Oh, those subzero eyes!

The sequel's tone is darker than the first. "You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember," warns Trumpkin. The tyrannical Miraz exudes real menace, and the battlefield action, while antiseptically bloodless, has a huge body count. The battles fought here aren't the clear-cut good vs. evil of Aslan and the White Witch, but a power struggle between human rivals.

The Pevensie siblings are older, wiser and a bit sadder than before, though their reserves of English pluck are undiminished. Like the "Potter" and "Rings" stories, this series appears to be growing more somber. With five "Narnia" books left to complete the set, it should be an interesting journey to follow.

Colin Covert • 612-673-7186