The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Movie Reviews
You’ve probably seen our story earlier today about RottenTomatoes getting their page up for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (which is up to 7 fresh ratings and 2 rottens so far). If you missed it, that can be seen here.
Here are a few additional reviews that are online and some highlights from each of them.
It’s heartening to report that Dawn Treader arrives with confidence and bravado intact – the entirely expected stew of cod-medieval adolescent derring-do, attention-grabbing special effects, and sledgehammer moral lessons with nakedly religious overtones. You can’t help but be struck once again by the common elements the Narnia books have with Lord of the Rings; produced in the same dark, drab postwar years, attempting to reinforce the moral sense that Lewis and Tolkien presumably saw had been both drained and somehow redeemed by the war and its outcome.
…
The weaknesses, unfortunately, are human; like the Potter kids, performance anxiety is getting to the Pevensies. As they get older, in the real world, their self-consciousness increases, and acting abilities decline in inverse proportion. (The only benefit of delay in filming has been to manage the substantial time jump between this and the Prince Caspian movie fairly seamlessly.)
Crosswalk.com: (Includes pictures from the event.)
I had a spectacular experience after donning my 3D spectacles and enjoying the adaptation of the next C.S. Lewis masterpiece from book to screen. I’ve now seen the film in both 2D and 3D and enjoyed it both ways. And as someone who has read the book, I can also say that the film is a good and quite thrilling and moving adaptation—given a few creative liberties here and there. I have not been disappointed and plan on seeing it again when it releases in theaters.
Although I have not read the book and so cannot comment on how faithful the adaptation was, an enjoyable story it was. Early on we are introduced to a newcomer to the Chronicles, young cousin Eustace, played by Will Poulter. Having been a fan of his performance in Son of Rambow it was great to see him competently handle a wildly different character, and my fondness for him was strengthened by his humble and enthusiastic manner in person. The other stars were just fine too. I especially enjoyed Simon Pegg’s voiceover for the character Reepicheep, replacing Eddie Izzard in this chapter, and it is always a joy to hear the silky tone of Liam Neeson as Aslan.
The film starts off with some strong effects seeing the protagonists swallowed up by a painting, the action then levels out as the story drags a little. However we are rewarded with a flourish of magical effects and excitement in the closing quarter: I loved the Ghostbuster ‘Stay Puft moment’. That combined with great camerawork and direction throughout make it quite a joy to watch. A must see family festive movie.
The Sydney Morning Herald: (Ironically this particular review has a video at the top that is probably the most negative review I’ve heard thus far.)
Lewis knew a thing or two about storytelling. And Apted knows a thing or two about directing. The British veteran of everything from the 7 Up documentaries to Gorillas in the Mist to The World Is Not Enough has a steady hand as he takes the Narnia wheel for the first time.
Crucially, he never allows plot or characters to be overshadowed by special effects. The Dawn Treader may sail on 3D seas, but the 3D effects are subtle, not over-the-top. Apted doesn’t just want audiences flinching or squirming to avoid beasties and swords; he’d prefer to involve them via his narrative.
Which is not to say the computer-generated effects aren’t well done. Tavros, Reepicheep and other digital characters blend seamlessly with the real actors.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader may not reinvent the fantasy genre, it may not transcend the medium, but it is an impressive feat of imagination.
As the Harry Potter films have become longer, slower and ever more pretentious the Narnia jaunts have merrily skipped off in the opposite direction, here delivering an effects-driven romp that is shorter, tighter and, frankly, heaps more fun than the first two.
The emphasis is on action and movement, with any engagement of matters deep & meaningful sticking to the roster of standard adventure themes about courage, inner strength, moral character and persistence, with any discussions restricted to the usual sandwich-board theme proclamations, along the lines of: “To defeat the darkness out there you must first defeat ther darkness within yourself.”
A big improvement on the first two and a potent antidote to HP7.1, Narnia III is strongly recommended, whatever your Narnian status may be.
Thanks to Louloudi the Centaur and Daniel James for sending us a couple of these links!
Disheartening as these reviews may be, it should be kept in mind that one person's vantage point may not be the same as everyone else. I myself have known these changes from the very beginning but will not stop me from enjoying the movie tonight.
People can be critical at times; wanting every part of the movie to be as close a hair's width to the book. If this was the case, the LOTR would be longer than its current time. Even though VODT is a book fit to be translated into a film, there is still the fact that there are some areas that needed to be edited in order to create a movie that can appeal to a mixed audience. The episodic nature of the book will be quite boring to some people who may have not read the book at all.
I cannot say much further until I watch the movie, but to those people having second minds of watching, doubt not. 'Til then, sail on Dawn Treader!
Sorry for the double post. I thought I only sent it once. >.<
Yes Mr bookwyrm, How much of the Caspian/Susan romance was well developed in PC and how much of the Caspian/RD romance could be developed sufficiently in 112 minutes of moving from place to place. For heaven sake, this movie is not made for only you, it is also made for those who haven't read the books. If you watched the movies without reading the books and you find Caspian and Susan kissing in PC and then Caspian hinting at kissing RD in VDT, tell me you wouldn't ask questions about Caspian's loyalty in relationships! It is too early for caspian to kiss another woman after susan, although his kiss with susan shouldn't have come up in prince caspian at all. Besides the romance between Caspian and RD could be told as a flash back when introducing Rilian in the silver chair.
And besides, I am not whining. You and your cohort of critics may as well not write your opinions. After all, no one asked for them.
Just saw the movie today! It was awesome. Being in the Oz can be such a blessing at times. Theme-wise, the movie kept true to the novel. Events and plot-wise, some scenes were altered: 2 events from different islands occurred in the same location, Ramandu wasn't there (although in the book, he was only a minor character anyway) and I think as most of you people may know, the addition of the green mist.
I don't know about you guys, but I thought it was okay to jumble the chronology of the islands visited. It made more sense (most probably to those who haven't read the book)to have a mission to lift up this curse of some sorts through the use of the seven swords given during the Golden Age. It drives the whole story. People say its like a series of episodes but I think, its an ingenious way of melding the series of islands into one great adventure. It may be true that a build of mystery from an island to another is one of the key features of the novel, but I will say without a doubt that whatever the reason for the change, it created a more solid flowing story.
The Pevensies have matured into wonderful young adults, their acting superb, Georgie being the best Lucy I have seen and Skandar doing an magnificent portrayal of Edmund. The magical pool scene was one of the outstanding scenes of the film. Ben and Skandar depicted their characters' weakness and giving into temptation exceptionally well.
Will Poulter does an excellent job as being the annoying Eustace Clarence Scrubb. He establishes how I imagined Eustace to be (well except I was thinking of a brunet version of Will).
For those of you who said there wasn't any romance in the scenes between Caspian and Lilliandil, there was no real kissing, but Caspian being beguiled of Lilliandil's beauty and hoping earnestly that they could meet once again was enough incentive and reason for me to believe that that was something romantic going on.
Reepicheep's voice is adorable, noble and yet looking for some action. I was convinced that the voice fitted the noble mouse from the moment I heard his voice (well Simon Pegg's in reality) and saw him on screen. The silky voice of Aslan fills the senses with nostalgia and the Christian Allegorical overtones of the movie.
People complain of the deviations from the story but if my memory serves correct, there are a dozen "flaws" in the LWW comparable to VODT. Need I remind you of Mr Fox or how the White Witch actually died. Needless to say, people can be critical to the point where they dissect every individual line of the characters and examine whether their dialogue was realistic or not.
Going in a tangent, the introduction of the green mist might be creeping up to the introduction of Lady of the Green Kirtle. She has been building an army for a long time, and the (probable) use of the green mist to create an army of people sacrificed to appease this wretched curse may be a plausible event that the director included.
It would be nice of people can be less critical at times and just watch the movie as if its the first time you've even heard of the movie. The people in the theatre I've gone to, underwent a joyride of emotions: laughing, crying, pity for Eustace and joy of his redemption. Everyone fell into tears the moment Lucy bids her farewell to the world she has developed so much.
With much enthusiasm, I declare: For NARNIA!! Set sail Dawn Treader.
It's interesting what you said about the Lady of the Green Kirtle being foreshadowed by the mist. I had a feeling about that being the case as well, I'm glad I wasn't alone.
I still would have liked a few more character developments and a little more of the feeling of the source material.
(The addition of the slaves being fed to the mist and the "stowaway" addition wasn't the smartest move I felt. I get that it was done for the younger kids benefit, but I still didn't like it.)
I hope these filmmakers come to realize that C.S Lewis wrote these books to be felt and imagined, if you're going to do it visually, do it how you what to see it.
20th Century Fox once wanted a man to have his aliens speak in English, citing that children couldn't read the subtitles. The director mildly informed them that they would go with their parents, whom could read for them and it would bring them closer together and enjoy the movie together. That man was George Lucas and his movie? Star Wars.
Family entertainment is just that, for all ages.
The makers of VODT could have been much more serious and stick to the story just little better; but they aimed this one a little to squarely at kids sadly.
Just saw the movie today and I thought it was wonderful!
I have read the books and Voyage of the Dawn Treader was my favorite out of all the Narnia books.
The movie did not exactly follow the book but in my opinion it did not loose the message, the magic and the essence of C.S Lewis' TVD.
Yes, the islands were not in order and yes,Prince Caspian's love story did not really fully develop in the movie but it was visually wonderful and the storyline was fitting for the movie adaptation.
Will Poulter, who played Eustace, definitely shined throughout this movie. His acting was spot-on and despite having urges to feel incredibly annoyed by him, you just can't help but love the guy.
I feel disappointed that not a lot of people like it as much as I did, but I think it was mostly the fans who wanted to see the words in the book come to life.
One should not come in the theater to expect a word for word adaptation because that is not going to happen, as with all book to film movies.
I was just incredibly proud to see the essence, virtues and spirit of Narnia coming to life on screen and I hope that you all will too. 🙂
Just saw the movie today and I thought it was wonderful!
I have read the books and Voyage of the Dawn Treader was my favorite out of all the Narnia books.
The movie did not exactly follow the book but in my opinion it did not loose the message, the magic and the essence of C.S Lewis’ TVD.
Yes, the islands were not in order and yes,Prince Caspian’s love story did not really fully develop in the movie but it was visually wonderful and the storyline was fitting for the movie adaptation.
Will Poulter, who played Eustace, definitely shined throughout this movie. His acting was spot-on and despite having urges to feel incredibly annoyed by him, you just can’t help but love the guy.
I feel disappointed that not a lot of people like it as much as I did, but I think it was mostly the fans who wanted to see the words in the book come to life.
One should not come in the theater to expect a word for word adaptation because that is not going to happen, as with all book to film movies.
I was just incredibly proud to see the essence, virtues and spirit of Narnia coming to life on screen and I hope that you all will too. 🙂
A thought about the little girl as a stowaway. I wondered if part of the reason for her being there was:- one- to let Edmund and Lucy know how much they miss their mother (family)when they see how happy the little girl and father are to get their mother/wife back. Second:- so that when Lucy learns that she needs to love herself (don't we all) and the little girl says 'I want to grow up just like you' that gives Lusy the chance of saying 'She needs to grow up just like herself nobody else.' To me the little girl was a vehicle to be used to get an important message across.
It doesn't matter what others think, what matters is YOUR OPINION of the film, I have looked at these reviews and I seen out of about twenty, only five were bad, the numbers speak for themselves. Besides, people have to stop judging films based on the views of others, I will end up loving the film, like I did the last two
I am ever so slightly disappointed with the acting based on the clips we've seen so far but I'm going to try my best to make my own judgments after seeing the movie on the 10th….still can't wait 🙂
So can you point me to the person who asked for your opinion?
@ Bookwyrm, No one asked for mine, I was only pointing out that if you felt we optimists should skip reading your critical comments then you may as well decline from putting them up. To be honest, u really need to ZIP IT!!! If you don't like the movie, you don't have to ruin it for others. How am I sure u've watched it? PLEASE, appreciate the effort that has been put into making this movie. If you can't, at least don't discourage others.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
I just saw the film in Costa Rica!
50% disappointing! Too many changes from the original story. 🙁
I just saw the Voyage of the Dawn Treader in Costa Rica!
50% disappointing! Too many changes from the original story. 🙁
I have just seen the movie for the 3rd time. This time in 3D. I am not a fan of 3D. Things move around too fast and I get sea sick but I am VERY pleased with the soft touch that I experienced. The moive also had sourround sound which was interesting because the other two times I have seen it (at a smaller theatre) didn't have that.
I went to a much larger theatre at 10.30am Saturday to see if the numbers would be different. 25 the first viewing, 40 the second and EIGHT!!!!! this time.
Come on Austrlia what are you all playing at. I think the movie is great. Yes I know it is not the same as the book but they never are.
The people who created this movie are trying to please BILLIONS of people.It will NEVER HAPPEN!!! I think they have done a great job.
Also, as a foot note, take your tissues, it gets to my heart everytime.
Apologies Meygan, I didn't intend my comment to look like it was aimed at yours.
Yes, I said that because I'm sick of someone posting about something they're unhappy with in this film and all the movie fanboys rushing in posting complaints in illiterate chatspeak and/or all-caps. And no, I will not be "zipping it". My opinion is just as valid as yours and, again, if you don't like it, don't read it.
Wow, no surround sound? The excellent sound is half the reason to go see a movie in theaters.
Honestly, expecting the performance of a fully trained and experienced adult actor from a child is absurd. Not sure why these critics keep expecting it. Sure, there's a few kids who are brilliant actors practically from birth, but they're the exception, not the rule. Skandar and Georgie certainly aren't the best child actors out there, but they're a lot better than some adult actors I could name.
I am sorry to hear this from you but this could be said for the two previous films. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe strayed away as far as Prince Caspian and Dawn Treader from their respective novels. This however did not change the fact that the movies were in every sense magnificent.
If the books were followed, we'd have a series of movies all based on the same book much like the BBC versions. Some of you guys might have heard the movie, Legends of the Guardians. The movie literally condensed the first 3 and 1/2 books into a movie. Many things were taken out and added in.
That is the problem about turning novels into movies, people will often become disappointed because it did not meet their own expectations. The directors are trying to make a movie that has general appeal and can be understood by most people. Since watching it yesterday, I have gone and revisited the previous movies with the respective books at hand.
Beginning with LWW, one of the first things that was changed was how the Pevensies enter Narnia as a whole. In the book, they run away from Mrs McReady because she has brought "her gang with her". This is in contrast to the more action filled way of trying to run away from her "wrath" due to breaking a window and toppling down an suit of armour. The addition of Mr Fox is another deviation from the book. Another example is the extent of the Jadis' wand's power. In the book, all she needed was to direct her wand towards the unlucky victim in order to turn them into stone. In the movie, there needed to be direct contact with the victim in order to petrify them. These are only some of the major deviations of the first movie adaptation. Even though this was the case, so many people have declared that the movie was an astounding adaptation of one of the most well renowned novels of all time.
As Narnia fans have expressed, Prince Caspian was supposedly a flop. It wasn't. The story deviated as well but did not stop it from depicting the Narnian spirit. This story involved politics which some people might have boring or not in accordance with the first book's sense of adventure and awe. It was rather unfortunate that the movie didn't live up to some people's expectations but all in all it wasn't a disaster at all. It was a learning curve.
I might be reinstating myself but Dawn Treader is a work of art, however how many people may be critiquing the acting. From the very start, some people have already trying to undermine and insult the children's acting. Truth be told, everything is subjective.
I have read a review asking why on Earth was Lucy trying to act grown up, being like her sister. Clearly the person had no idea that this was part of the book in the first place. The addition of Gael as a way of getting Lucy to acknowledge the fact that it is better to be herself than someone she wasn't and will not be.
Rhince's background was a clean slate from the book. It didn't hurt to introduce a story line about his family in order to appeal to Edmund and Lucy's own longing to join their family.
Whatever the reasons, I hope you change your mind. I for one am hoping for the Silver Chair to be produced for each us our enjoyments. ^^,
Long time since I've been around Narniaweb (waves to fellow moderators!) I saw the movie yesterday in 3D and was a bit ho-hum afterwards. The effects are good, the art direction is perfect, the acting is decent (Ben Barnes is much better than in PC without the accent, and Will Poulter is great – unfortunately highlighting the fact that the Pevensies aren't quite up to his acting standard, earnest as they are).
I thought the alterations to the story (and there were many – this film is LOOSELY based on the book, moreso than the first two in essentials of plot) cheapened the adaptation and made it feel rather "generic kiddy adventure sword-and-sorcery" in places. However, many plot elements (funnily enough, those that were closest to the book) were excellent. I have no idea why they decided to shove an extra little girl in the story but she was pointless to the extreme. The blue star and the seven swords and the "mist" seemed silly and unnecessary. Dufflepud episode was brilliantly done, and the Lone Islands was really creepy and evocative. Dark Island scenario sadly was a mess. Eustace really drives the story and you go from hating him to cheering for him.
It was an enjoyable romp and certainly had a more Narnian tone than the first two, but I don't think I'll see it again at the cinema. Might buy the DVD…
Oh, and I ADORED the closing credits!!!!!!!!!! Just…..perfect and such an outstanding tribute to Pauline Baynes. Best closing credits I've ever seen.
Also, I live in Sydney (Australia) and every single bus stop the length of the main strip in the city is plastered with giant VODT posters, also down by the Opera House. A LOT of posters for a VERY long way. Very smart advertising. Basically if you're anywhere in the city, you'll be aware the movie is out. They're eye-catching and while on the bus I saw a lot of people staring out the windows at them as we passed.
Be that as it may, there weren't many people in my screening, however the movie was only released on Thursday. I think viewing numbers are going to build hugely as kids start their December summer holidays soon.
Don't worry about it, I think we're having some sort of glitch since several people have ended up with double-posts.
Actually, the book never shows Lucy trying to be like Susan. Go back and reread the Magician's Book scene. It clearly describes Lucy as being so beautiful that Susan is plain in comparison and jealous over it. Lucy doesn't want to be Susan, she wants to be better than Susan so Susan can be the overlooked, unappreciated sister for a change. Beauty just happens to be the thing people gush over. If Susan had been known as rather intelligent, it probably would have been an intelligent beyond the lot of mortals spell Lucy would have been tempted to use. It's a shame this rather more complex story subplot has been replaced with "I'm jealous of Susan and want to be just like her to the point that I no longer exist."
Thank you for pointing that out. In any case, there was jealousy of Susan being the centre of attention because of her beauty. They may have altered it a bit but the jealousy still exist. You could say that Lucy wanted to be herself but 100x better due jealousy of Susan getting attention as well of her looks.
Oh, now u r bringing in the issue of literacy, so childish. GROW UP.
I never set out to write in chat-style but I am so glad I did cos some ppl r not just worth d effort.
Right from the start, I wasn't replying your comment. But you in all your 'Glorious' immaturity thought you had the right to tell me to stop whining while you had the right to post your critical statements.
THE MOVIE IS MADE FOR BOTH READERS OF THE BOOKS AND NON READERS. THE MOVIE HAS THE THEMES OF THE BOOK, EVEN THE RELIGIOUS ASPECTS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.
What exactly do you want, to find the exact same words of the book in the movie so you can repeat them as they are being said?
Appreciate the fact that years of hard work has been put into making this movie. LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE OF IT AND STOP ACTING LIKE YOU'VE HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH A DEMENTOR!!!
You are correct in every sense, books and films are different mediums, while you can write hundreds and hundreds of pages for a book, you have running time and bugdet constrictions, therefore changes have to be made. Lion witch and the wardrobe had many changes, so did prince caspian, and so will the other four films next.
Films and books both give enjoyment, but on different levels. If people moan about the differences, then it will affect the peoples opinions on if they want to watch the film or not, therefore the film could fail in the box office. I do not care for the negativity, there will be some, but I want this film to do well because I want to see all seven books protrayed for the first time. because strangely the bbc stopped at silver chair.
Enjoy the film or hate it, but I for one want it to succeed.
well said! I think this film will do well due to its aim towards the younger auidence (though it isnt gonna stop an 18 year old man like me)
plus it is revered as the favourite narnia book (though in my opinion, silver chair comes very close)
Agreed the movie is very different from the book. If you can set that aside for a momment though, ask yourself, was this a great film full of beauty, adventure, and a yearning for goodness? The answer is "yes" and I for one am glad this movie has been made!
I am SOOO GLAD to here what you have to say. Here on the Gold Coast there is very little.Hungry Jacks are doing little figurines and that is being advertised on the TV. I haven't been to other movies to see if it is being advertised before the other movie. Hope so. I will tell the few people I know. I LOVED the movie and hope that they make ALL of them. For my part The Horse and His Boy is my favourite story.
I agree that Eustace was good. He had to be because if they do make The Silver Chair, he and whoever they choose for Jill Pole will have to carry the whole movie and the whole franchise will depend on how people take to them. It is most important that they get Puddleglum right.
There is also the fact that people compare the present installment with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. People always expect everything to live up to the the very first book or movie of a series. They see the the LWW as a way of critiquing every other part of the chronicles. They expect it to be the guideline and standard by which other movies are made. However, each individual movie is that, individual. As intended by Lewis, each book is its self contained story, loosely interconnected but acting as a whole story at the same time.
Just wondering if anyone else noted (which I shall not go into too much detail because others haven't seen the movie yet) that there are four things wrong. You now, things like a character had something on one side of their body and now it is on the other, things like that.
I thought they paid people to check up on all this sort of stuff.
In a way I'm kinda scared for SC. VDT is being heavily marketed as returning to the magic of the first film. I haven't read the books for a while but if I remember right SC doesn't have the same magic does it? Hopefully people wont mind the rollar coaster ride
here's another review
http://www.joriben.com/2010/12/end-of-era-and-blazing-beginning-narnia.html
I just saw the VDT with my mother and we both hated this movie.I have grown up watching original BBC movies and fell in love with them and read the books tons of times. I was so excited to hear that they were remaking the movies, and they have been nothing but a disappointment. The effects were cool, and we wasted the money to see it in real 3D, we could have saved the money and saw it in normal 2D, dont plan on seeing it again, and I hope that if they make The SC it is much better.
Just saw the latest Narnia movie, the voyage of the Dawn Treader. It is the best one yet. Hope you go see it. 12/13/10
i watched it last saturday and im going to see it again with my mate because its that good in 3d can,t wait keep the narnia films coming out
I agree with you, Blue Skies. It is important to be a purest in most things, all things that have value anyway. To sacrifice moral thought for action and big-ticket draws is very sad.
What was up with:…
*The lost concept of Eustace's "undragoning"?
*The meaning of the binding bracelet?
*The conditions of the braking of the curse of the three sleeping lords, where Reep had to sail alone to the Eastern shore?
*No lamb image concept at the end?
*The pevensies and Caspian on the eastern shore at the end?
I could go on but I'm sure it is of no concern to the lot of the public. But WE should be concerned. I was taught that you either stand for something or fall for everything. You either show the whole truth or not at all. The fact that truth is so watered down with have truths or no truths at all is a testament to why no one has a clue as to what to believe in anymore. Why make the movie except to make money? Can anyone tell me why an agnostic director even cares about a christian-based book series? Such a distortion. And so very, very sad.
I am saddened that the writers did not take advantage of the excellent opportunities C.S. Lewis gave them to make an awesome movie. They added things that were not in the book, and frankly, did not make the story line any better or viewer friendly. The movie was rushed, disoriented and incredibly dissapointing. I'm not sure I'll even bother wasting time or money on The Silver Chair, if they make a movie for that one. C.S. Lewis would be so sad over this, I imagine. He wrote a really amazing story and Hollywood is ruining it.