I Watch Movies Sometimes
Short review: Watch Iron Man instead.
Long Review: I remember thinking about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, "This wasn't the best movie ever, but it's probably the best adaptation of the book they could have made." Prince Caspian is not like that. Prince Caspian is neither the best movie ever (by a long shot) nor is it a very good adaptation of the book. I kinda wish someone had given them permission to make a shorter movie, because then they wouldn't have felt like they had to add so much junk to round it out.
Mostly I didn't have a problem with the general plot/pacing, since it's taken from my favorite book in the Narnia series. Some of it was even changed for the better -- I liked the scene with the White Witch, instead of just the brief mention that was in the book. It was the script that was killing me. I know I'm having a problem with a movie when none of the jokes are funny, but I keep getting the urge to laugh during serious parts. (My name is Prince Caspian... You killed my father.... prepare to die!) They added a lot of dialogue to make Miraz look more evil, and to make Peter and Caspian look like jerks, and to make all the characters look like they could have good banter. It was strange to watch.
I liked Reepicheep, and I'm glad they didn't ruin him by making him silly or cutesy. He had a little of the bad dialogue and running jokiness, but he was still fun to watch. The river god was cool too. But where were all the other mythological creatures in the final battle? I was hoping there would be a ton.
Oh yeah, and how about that Caspian/Susan? I know, I should have seen it coming with the casting of a hot young actor and all. Their scenes still made me facepalm. And I am a person who watches romantic movies with a wholehearted suspension of disbelief. Maybe I'm just upset that it's such a departure from the book, since I always kinda respected the fact that the Pevensies were never given random Narnian love interests. But no, I think if they'd done it in a more understated way, it might have been cute.
I guess Narnia fans will see it despite what I have to say. But still... Iron Man is better and more fun. I feel like I'm losing my childlike sense of wonder if I pick a snarky alcoholic with blasty armor over a bunch of kids and talking animals trying to save the day, but this time that's just how it is. I don't care so much about Voyage of the Dawn Treader, but I hope they go on to make A Horse and His Boy. That's a great book.
"But I read the book!" you say. There's still stuff to spoil.