VDT Movie Indepth Analysis - WingedStyle
JUST GOT BACK FROM SEEING VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER IN THEATRES AND I LOVED IT. I REALLY, REALLY LOVED IT. I mean, there were parts obviously that I did not like, but as a whole, I LOVED IT.
Warning: Spoilers abound. Read at your own risk. I'm dead serious - I cover a bunch of details of the movie from beginning to end. If you have not seen the movie, you do not want to see this.
Before I begin a rather crazy and most likely all-over-the-place analysis, here is a picture of what I looked like during the movie:
I'm not making this up. My friend told me she'd keep glancing over at me to see that I looked exactly like that. Now, just add the sound of me whispering "Yes yes yes yes yes..." at the scene at the End of the World, and you'll know exactly what it would have been like to sit beside me in the theatre.
Yeah, those are 3D glasses. Buying tickets yesterday, we sort of spontaneously decided to go with the UltraAVX theatre, which is amazing. Sure, the movie loses a bit of its colour because of the glasses. And sure, it gets a bit blurry for fast-moving shots. All the same, there were reserved seats, comfy lean-back chairs, extra leg room, a bigger screen, better sound... MY NARNIA EXPERIENCE FELT SO COMPLETE.
As for the movie itself...
VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER COMPREHENSIVE MOVIE ANALYSIS - WINGEDSTYLE
(Where do I even begin? How about... the beginning.)
I have to admit, that first shot of the tower with the tilting camera angle - I definitely thought that was in Narnia. And I was like, "Oh hey! They're starting with Caspian leaving on his quest!" And then the plane went rushing by and I was actually rather astounded, but pleasantly so. Edmund attempting to enlist I'd already seen in the trailers, but it was still pretty funny. And that line about "I'm a king!" was a lot less alarming in context - he was not being annoyed at being stuck in England so much as not being able to fight, which is perfectly acceptable.
Eustace's introduction was GENIUS. Will Poulter did an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING job. Love that he keeps his diary in his sock, and that he contemplates the legal implications of impaling his cousins, and that he ticks Edmund off and then shouts for help when Ed gets annoyed. LOVE IT. Again, had already seen most of the scene of falling into Narnia, but put together, it was so very, very brilliantly done. EXCELLENT. Although I did think that everybody popping up in the ocean, and getting pulled on board happened super quickly. I always got the impression that everyone had to tread water an awful lot longer before they could get hoisted on board. Instead it was like, "OH LOOK OCEAN. OH LOOK, CASPIAN. OH LOOK CREW. END SCENE."
The bit in Caspian's cabin was excellently done, though. I love that he has all the gifts, and that he even has Edmund's torch. EDMUND'S TORCH. EDMUND'S TORCH. I loooove that it is considered important enough by Caspian to be kept with the other gifts, and given so reverently to Edmund, who's just sort of like, "Oh, my torch. Thanks?" hahaha
Drinian doesn't take orders from Edmund? WHAT THE? SERIOUSLY? WHAT? ARE YOU HONESTLY GOING THERE? NO JUST NO PLEASE. Although I guess I could see how it might be, if Drinian was a Telmarine Lord who was at first very reluctant about the Old Narnians, and then gradually came to accept them but couldn't quite accept the stories of the Pevensies, even though Caspian had met them? Or else just fiercely loyal to his king? Or else afraid Edmund would try to take over? Hmm... I am very skeptical.
Narrowhaven was so good. I love how creepy it was when they all land and there is no one there. Eustace peering at the shuddering family and then proclaiming there was no one there, so no point in staying was brilliant. Not so brilliant was Caspian's move to give him a knife hahaha. EDMUND'S TORCH AGAIN. SO GOOD SO GOOD. AND THE SLAVERS AHH. LOVE.
The bit with the green mist taking a sacrifice was awful. Cheesily done and didn't have much of an explanation behind it. Just saying.
The battle with the slavers was excellent, though. Loved Eustace - first on the slave platform defending his smell, and then ducking and trying to get away as everyone's fighting. The others were also so great - it was very well choreographed. The end, too, where the people come out to celebrate and everyone is quite triumphant as they walk down the street.
I think if the movie makers had to have the green mist plot with the mom going missing and all that, then it was very good of them to have Rince join the crew this way. And I did like having Gael as a stowaway.
Coriakin's island was excellently done. I thought it was lame of Coriakin to have turned the Dufflepuds invisible "for their own protection" - did he ever say why? Or was it just from the green mist? - But all the same, the island looked fantastic. I loved Edmund waking up and becoming frantic as he realized that Lucy was missing. I loved the line, "Oh, they brought a pig." lolol And I loved how artfully done the turning-invisible was. DID NOT LIKE Lucy tearing a page out of the book, but the snow was beautiful, and Aslan's voice from nowhere was great, but I was also disappointed that Lucy did not eavesdrop.
Dragon/Goldwater Island would be my favorite of the islands in the whole movie. I know a lot of people were annoyed by how Edmund acts at Goldwater, but I thought it wasn't that bad. It was more abrupt than I would have liked - in the book it is a lot more subtle before Ed and Caspian nearly blow up at each other, which I prefer to Ed yelling at Caspian straight away. My friend pointed out that it was kind of dumb for Caspian to grab the sword that Edmund pulls out of the water, because wouldn't it still be wet? And wouldn't that wet turn Caspian to gold?
EUSTACE DRAGON TIME. Oh how I loved it. At first, I though the CGI was terribly unimpressive for the dragon, but it seemed to look better later on in the movie. (Maybe I just stopped noticing). But I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the way Eustace picks Ed up and tells him who he is... AH I LOVE IT. BRILLIANT.
Reep and Dragon!Eustace on the beach was adorable. I love that Reep has so many stories to tell Eustace. I love that he has met a dragon before. I love that this happens while he happens to be with some pirates. lololololol
Ramandu's Island isn't bad, although it is disappointing not to actually see Ramandu. Aslan's Table was gorgeous, though, but I was super disappointed that the Lords fell asleep because they were fighting, and not because they had touched the Stone Knife. Although I suppose they still could have touched it, and Lilliandil just didn't mention that, but all the same, I thought it was a little annoying. The sleeping lords themselves looked pretty excellent, though.
Sailing to Dark Island was not nearly as cheesy as expected. In fact, that part was very well done. The visuals were AMAZING at this point. Loved Caspian's pep talk. Loved how subtle Jadis was - not super annoying at all, like I was afraid of, but actually just like - like when you have a nightmare, and you wake up but even though you try to stop thinking about it, you can't. Just like that.
Rhoop looked and acted exactly as I'd always pictured him. PERFECT. From my mind to the big screen.
I think I actually laughed at the part, "Don't think of your worst fear!" It's just like telling someone not to think of a polka-dotted elephant - you can't help but picture it in your brain. So are you surprised that Ed immediately thought of the sea serpent? I'm not - not really. Aaaaand, sidestory time:
After the movie, I was standing in the lobby with my two friends who saw it with me, and this random guy came up right when I was laughing about the sea serpent, and he asked if we had seen the Narnia movie. Obviously, we say yes. And then - I don't even remember most of the conversation, but we talked a lot about the sea serpent part. And as he said, "Edmund must have one crazy imagination to think of THAT kind of sea serpent!" And then we joked around some more about that, and I think I fell in love cause this guy sounded like SUCH a Narnia fan, and then he left, and my friend asks, "So, which of you two knew him?" And it turned out none of us did. He was just some stranger that came up to us. Which just kinda made me love him all the more, because he loved the movie enough to squee about it with people he didn't know. :D
Aaand back to movie analysis:
So. I liked that Eustace did not defeat the sea serpent, he just tried to. Very much in the spirit of the book, although I would have liked it most if Aslan had changed him back before then, still, and he'd gone and wrecked Caspian's second best sword. I liked how Edmund totally put himself in harm's way to lure the serpent in a position to kill it. And swinging onto the rigging! And then the witch-from-his-mind was SO not as cheesy as she looked in the trailers - she was actually legitimately tempting him with being viewed as grown up again.
AND the Eustace transformation. Fairly well done - I liked that Aslan scratched at the sand and it made tears in the dragon skin, but I thought floating up in the air and glowing a bit much. Falling onto Ramandu's Island, however, was pretty great. I do love that Eustace does help save the day AFTER he is transformed, though. And him fighting against the green mist was actually pretty good. I love that he had changed enough to not just give up, but to actually fight against it.
People coming from the mist - cheeeeesy.
Eustace showing up in the water - uuuuh what? How did he even get there? Although it is super cute that Reep jumps in with him. I love that they are such best buds!
THE SEA OF LILIES WAS PERFECT. I was disappointed, though, that Edmund did not say the line about how being a prat was a lot better than being a traitor. I was so hoping for that moment. Although, of course, I immediately got inspired to write a scene in which Eustace learns of this after returning to Spare Oom.
The beach with Aslan was BEAUTIFUL. The entire time my face was like :D (or you could see above picture). I was a little miffed that Edmund was the one who said it was time to go home, but other than that, I loved. Reepicheep's goodbye was sooo sweet. I lovelovelove that Eustace was crying, and that it was so clear that Reep was the best friend he had ever made. And I lovelovelove that Lucy got her moment to hug Reep. (AND it was the perfect moment for all those Lucy/Reep shippers. Come on, I know you're out there! Don't believe it can be done? Read Declaration of Love?. I rest my case.)
I LOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVED the transition back to Spare Oom. LOVEDLOVED. And they just sit there for a moment, and Lucy's expression was just heartbreaking, and Eustace is stunned, and Alberta is yelling from downstairs about JILL POLE.
AND THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE CREDITS. I LOVED THAT THEY USED THE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE CREDITS.
So. Things I have not yet mentioned. :
There were a great many ships just waiting to be written: some great Lucian moments (she wears his shirt! He puts his arm around her waist!); for those who like it, Ed/Caspian moments were aplenty (not a fan myself, but thought I'd mention it); Lucy/Reep (Yes, had to mention that again); I liked that the RD/Caspian was subtle, rather than "OH BOY LOVE AT FIRST SITE" sort of thing, which would have been cheap after Suspian kiss of the last movie.
And there weren't actually any scenes of this, but I could totally see if someone wanted to write a Eustace/Gael fic. *cough*
Did not mention the girl that squints and has freckles at all. Of course, I can see why - Caspian would be viewed as shallow.
Music: Fantabulous. I loved it. I thought it was more detailed than the score for the previous two movies, which I had enjoyed but not particularly ever really loved.
The friendship between Reepicheep and Eustace is ADORABLE. I love that even when Eustace is being a prat, Reep sort of takes him under his wing (tail?).
I didn't even notice the change in Caspian's accent. That is, I knew it was different before hand, but I didn't even blink an eye the first time he spoke or anything.
I love that the minotaur was such a part of the crew that he became almost unremarkable on the ship.
Eustace tries to talk to a bird and they laugh at him. lololol
I found Edmund's issues to be perfectly acceptable. I thought it was dumb that he was not treated as a king for most of the movie. AND WHAT WAS WITH INTRODUCING HIM TO THE CREW AS THE HIGH KING!? (Especially since after that, no one seemed to treat him as king at ALL, except for Caspian.)
Ummm... there were so many more great moments that I can't think of right now. But I loved it. Even with the stupid, cheesy green mist, I loved it. I'm gonna see how likely it is I can go see the movie again in the next week.
OH I TOTALLY FORGOT TO MENTION LUCY"S DREAM. I LOVED THAT PART!
You know that friend I keep mentioning? You can find her on dA here.
Warning: Spoilers abound. Read at your own risk. I'm dead serious - I cover a bunch of details of the movie from beginning to end. If you have not seen the movie, you do not want to see this.
Before I begin a rather crazy and most likely all-over-the-place analysis, here is a picture of what I looked like during the movie:
I'm not making this up. My friend told me she'd keep glancing over at me to see that I looked exactly like that. Now, just add the sound of me whispering "Yes yes yes yes yes..." at the scene at the End of the World, and you'll know exactly what it would have been like to sit beside me in the theatre.
Yeah, those are 3D glasses. Buying tickets yesterday, we sort of spontaneously decided to go with the UltraAVX theatre, which is amazing. Sure, the movie loses a bit of its colour because of the glasses. And sure, it gets a bit blurry for fast-moving shots. All the same, there were reserved seats, comfy lean-back chairs, extra leg room, a bigger screen, better sound... MY NARNIA EXPERIENCE FELT SO COMPLETE.
As for the movie itself...
VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER COMPREHENSIVE MOVIE ANALYSIS - WINGEDSTYLE
(Where do I even begin? How about... the beginning.)
I have to admit, that first shot of the tower with the tilting camera angle - I definitely thought that was in Narnia. And I was like, "Oh hey! They're starting with Caspian leaving on his quest!" And then the plane went rushing by and I was actually rather astounded, but pleasantly so. Edmund attempting to enlist I'd already seen in the trailers, but it was still pretty funny. And that line about "I'm a king!" was a lot less alarming in context - he was not being annoyed at being stuck in England so much as not being able to fight, which is perfectly acceptable.
Eustace's introduction was GENIUS. Will Poulter did an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING job. Love that he keeps his diary in his sock, and that he contemplates the legal implications of impaling his cousins, and that he ticks Edmund off and then shouts for help when Ed gets annoyed. LOVE IT. Again, had already seen most of the scene of falling into Narnia, but put together, it was so very, very brilliantly done. EXCELLENT. Although I did think that everybody popping up in the ocean, and getting pulled on board happened super quickly. I always got the impression that everyone had to tread water an awful lot longer before they could get hoisted on board. Instead it was like, "OH LOOK OCEAN. OH LOOK, CASPIAN. OH LOOK CREW. END SCENE."
The bit in Caspian's cabin was excellently done, though. I love that he has all the gifts, and that he even has Edmund's torch. EDMUND'S TORCH. EDMUND'S TORCH. I loooove that it is considered important enough by Caspian to be kept with the other gifts, and given so reverently to Edmund, who's just sort of like, "Oh, my torch. Thanks?" hahaha
Drinian doesn't take orders from Edmund? WHAT THE? SERIOUSLY? WHAT? ARE YOU HONESTLY GOING THERE? NO JUST NO PLEASE. Although I guess I could see how it might be, if Drinian was a Telmarine Lord who was at first very reluctant about the Old Narnians, and then gradually came to accept them but couldn't quite accept the stories of the Pevensies, even though Caspian had met them? Or else just fiercely loyal to his king? Or else afraid Edmund would try to take over? Hmm... I am very skeptical.
Narrowhaven was so good. I love how creepy it was when they all land and there is no one there. Eustace peering at the shuddering family and then proclaiming there was no one there, so no point in staying was brilliant. Not so brilliant was Caspian's move to give him a knife hahaha. EDMUND'S TORCH AGAIN. SO GOOD SO GOOD. AND THE SLAVERS AHH. LOVE.
The bit with the green mist taking a sacrifice was awful. Cheesily done and didn't have much of an explanation behind it. Just saying.
The battle with the slavers was excellent, though. Loved Eustace - first on the slave platform defending his smell, and then ducking and trying to get away as everyone's fighting. The others were also so great - it was very well choreographed. The end, too, where the people come out to celebrate and everyone is quite triumphant as they walk down the street.
I think if the movie makers had to have the green mist plot with the mom going missing and all that, then it was very good of them to have Rince join the crew this way. And I did like having Gael as a stowaway.
Coriakin's island was excellently done. I thought it was lame of Coriakin to have turned the Dufflepuds invisible "for their own protection" - did he ever say why? Or was it just from the green mist? - But all the same, the island looked fantastic. I loved Edmund waking up and becoming frantic as he realized that Lucy was missing. I loved the line, "Oh, they brought a pig." lolol And I loved how artfully done the turning-invisible was. DID NOT LIKE Lucy tearing a page out of the book, but the snow was beautiful, and Aslan's voice from nowhere was great, but I was also disappointed that Lucy did not eavesdrop.
Dragon/Goldwater Island would be my favorite of the islands in the whole movie. I know a lot of people were annoyed by how Edmund acts at Goldwater, but I thought it wasn't that bad. It was more abrupt than I would have liked - in the book it is a lot more subtle before Ed and Caspian nearly blow up at each other, which I prefer to Ed yelling at Caspian straight away. My friend pointed out that it was kind of dumb for Caspian to grab the sword that Edmund pulls out of the water, because wouldn't it still be wet? And wouldn't that wet turn Caspian to gold?
EUSTACE DRAGON TIME. Oh how I loved it. At first, I though the CGI was terribly unimpressive for the dragon, but it seemed to look better later on in the movie. (Maybe I just stopped noticing). But I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the way Eustace picks Ed up and tells him who he is... AH I LOVE IT. BRILLIANT.
Reep and Dragon!Eustace on the beach was adorable. I love that Reep has so many stories to tell Eustace. I love that he has met a dragon before. I love that this happens while he happens to be with some pirates. lololololol
Ramandu's Island isn't bad, although it is disappointing not to actually see Ramandu. Aslan's Table was gorgeous, though, but I was super disappointed that the Lords fell asleep because they were fighting, and not because they had touched the Stone Knife. Although I suppose they still could have touched it, and Lilliandil just didn't mention that, but all the same, I thought it was a little annoying. The sleeping lords themselves looked pretty excellent, though.
Sailing to Dark Island was not nearly as cheesy as expected. In fact, that part was very well done. The visuals were AMAZING at this point. Loved Caspian's pep talk. Loved how subtle Jadis was - not super annoying at all, like I was afraid of, but actually just like - like when you have a nightmare, and you wake up but even though you try to stop thinking about it, you can't. Just like that.
Rhoop looked and acted exactly as I'd always pictured him. PERFECT. From my mind to the big screen.
I think I actually laughed at the part, "Don't think of your worst fear!" It's just like telling someone not to think of a polka-dotted elephant - you can't help but picture it in your brain. So are you surprised that Ed immediately thought of the sea serpent? I'm not - not really. Aaaaand, sidestory time:
After the movie, I was standing in the lobby with my two friends who saw it with me, and this random guy came up right when I was laughing about the sea serpent, and he asked if we had seen the Narnia movie. Obviously, we say yes. And then - I don't even remember most of the conversation, but we talked a lot about the sea serpent part. And as he said, "Edmund must have one crazy imagination to think of THAT kind of sea serpent!" And then we joked around some more about that, and I think I fell in love cause this guy sounded like SUCH a Narnia fan, and then he left, and my friend asks, "So, which of you two knew him?" And it turned out none of us did. He was just some stranger that came up to us. Which just kinda made me love him all the more, because he loved the movie enough to squee about it with people he didn't know. :D
Aaand back to movie analysis:
So. I liked that Eustace did not defeat the sea serpent, he just tried to. Very much in the spirit of the book, although I would have liked it most if Aslan had changed him back before then, still, and he'd gone and wrecked Caspian's second best sword. I liked how Edmund totally put himself in harm's way to lure the serpent in a position to kill it. And swinging onto the rigging! And then the witch-from-his-mind was SO not as cheesy as she looked in the trailers - she was actually legitimately tempting him with being viewed as grown up again.
AND the Eustace transformation. Fairly well done - I liked that Aslan scratched at the sand and it made tears in the dragon skin, but I thought floating up in the air and glowing a bit much. Falling onto Ramandu's Island, however, was pretty great. I do love that Eustace does help save the day AFTER he is transformed, though. And him fighting against the green mist was actually pretty good. I love that he had changed enough to not just give up, but to actually fight against it.
People coming from the mist - cheeeeesy.
Eustace showing up in the water - uuuuh what? How did he even get there? Although it is super cute that Reep jumps in with him. I love that they are such best buds!
THE SEA OF LILIES WAS PERFECT. I was disappointed, though, that Edmund did not say the line about how being a prat was a lot better than being a traitor. I was so hoping for that moment. Although, of course, I immediately got inspired to write a scene in which Eustace learns of this after returning to Spare Oom.
The beach with Aslan was BEAUTIFUL. The entire time my face was like :D (or you could see above picture). I was a little miffed that Edmund was the one who said it was time to go home, but other than that, I loved. Reepicheep's goodbye was sooo sweet. I lovelovelove that Eustace was crying, and that it was so clear that Reep was the best friend he had ever made. And I lovelovelove that Lucy got her moment to hug Reep. (AND it was the perfect moment for all those Lucy/Reep shippers. Come on, I know you're out there! Don't believe it can be done? Read Declaration of Love?. I rest my case.)
I LOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVEDLOVED the transition back to Spare Oom. LOVEDLOVED. And they just sit there for a moment, and Lucy's expression was just heartbreaking, and Eustace is stunned, and Alberta is yelling from downstairs about JILL POLE.
AND THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE CREDITS. I LOVED THAT THEY USED THE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE CREDITS.
So. Things I have not yet mentioned. :
There were a great many ships just waiting to be written: some great Lucian moments (she wears his shirt! He puts his arm around her waist!); for those who like it, Ed/Caspian moments were aplenty (not a fan myself, but thought I'd mention it); Lucy/Reep (Yes, had to mention that again); I liked that the RD/Caspian was subtle, rather than "OH BOY LOVE AT FIRST SITE" sort of thing, which would have been cheap after Suspian kiss of the last movie.
And there weren't actually any scenes of this, but I could totally see if someone wanted to write a Eustace/Gael fic. *cough*
Did not mention the girl that squints and has freckles at all. Of course, I can see why - Caspian would be viewed as shallow.
Music: Fantabulous. I loved it. I thought it was more detailed than the score for the previous two movies, which I had enjoyed but not particularly ever really loved.
The friendship between Reepicheep and Eustace is ADORABLE. I love that even when Eustace is being a prat, Reep sort of takes him under his wing (tail?).
I didn't even notice the change in Caspian's accent. That is, I knew it was different before hand, but I didn't even blink an eye the first time he spoke or anything.
I love that the minotaur was such a part of the crew that he became almost unremarkable on the ship.
Eustace tries to talk to a bird and they laugh at him. lololol
I found Edmund's issues to be perfectly acceptable. I thought it was dumb that he was not treated as a king for most of the movie. AND WHAT WAS WITH INTRODUCING HIM TO THE CREW AS THE HIGH KING!? (Especially since after that, no one seemed to treat him as king at ALL, except for Caspian.)
Ummm... there were so many more great moments that I can't think of right now. But I loved it. Even with the stupid, cheesy green mist, I loved it. I'm gonna see how likely it is I can go see the movie again in the next week.
OH I TOTALLY FORGOT TO MENTION LUCY"S DREAM. I LOVED THAT PART!
You know that friend I keep mentioning? You can find her on dA here.