Calm Down: Postcards from Narnia’s ‘Dawn Treader’

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 29, 2009

DawnTreader

After two films, I have just about no energy or excitement for this franchise because of how forced everything felt. In the first movie when they charged and yelled that they were doing it for Aslan, I yawned and waited for the credits. The second was a bit better, and since the third is set on a boat, I have to assume that the inclusion of nautical themed knit afghans.

It’s a recession. You think we can afford pashmina?

Well we can’t. But we can afford to check out these pictures from the set of The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

You can click on those for a slightly bigger version, or head over to Coming Soon for the giant versions.

I have to admit that the production design looks beautiful. I haven’t read the books so I have no reference point, but it seems as though the story gets going when two of the young children and their cousin get sucked into a painting of a ship, so it’s back to Narnia for them once again. Which is frustrating, because they keep going back, and great because Britain is really dull and rainy.

I’m also not sure that the novel includes the older siblings in any real way, but someone can correct me there if I’m wrong. If I’m not, it looks like the franchise will be including them anyway because, hey, why not?

On a personal note, I have a helm just like that here at Reject HQ. I’m convinced that it helps me write, but Neil claims that zero words come out of the computer when I’m spinning it around.

He is obviously wrong. Because I wrote this entire post with it and completely avoided smashing our office into a nearby iceberg.

What do you think?

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ladyofthelake

I havn't read these books in ages, and still havn't seen movie 2, but the older two siblings aren't supposed to be in this. They are just to old to go back to Narnia. I think after this book, only the cousin goes back to Narnia a few more times. Narnia is a bitch, putting age restrictions on people.

lucascott

the second movie addresses the issue of Peter and Lucy by saying, as the book does, that their time in Narnia is done. and it's not 'a bitch', this is a kind of coming of age story. and once they are 'of age' (as they were at the end of PC) there's nothing left to tell. thus they are no longer included in favor of the two remaining children who get their chance to shine and mature. and when they have 'grown up' the cousin is the remaining child and thus the only one to return again.

perhaps folks should read the books and read up on the analysis and symbolism in them before just griping. they are actually very well done and deep texts. much better balanced than the Golden Compass trilogy.

ladyofthelake

You need to relax. I know what the Narnia books are about, as I said I read them a few years ago, just havn't seen the second movie. I was being silly by writing that it was a bitch that the kids grew up and couldn't go back. In fact I do state that the cousin continues to Narnia in the future books, along with a female friend. Don't take everything you read seriously, things might be written with tounge in cheek.

Cole_Abaius

Or BY a tongue in cheek. That's right. A living tongue with the ability to write snarky comments. Put it in hobo clothes, call Rob Zombie, and we've got next August's horror release.

ladyofthelake

Depends who does the voice of the tongue.

kheas

Nice helm! Nudge Nudge, wink wink...

Matt

First movie = magical no matter what any ignorant movie blogger says. Second movie = okayish. Third movie = totally different studio and franchise, so to compare them is like saying, "I have no clue about the film industry or what is going on, yet I still write about film."

Cole_Abaius

An interesting claim. I enjoyed some of the early-on stuff in the first with Mr. Tumnus and the Witch, but the rest of the movie fell really flat for me. Part of it was acting, and the other part was that it didn't do much real work to get to a huge battle scene at the end. It felt like it just plodded toward it inevitably. Then again, I haven't seen it in a while. Maybe it's time for a second chance.

Oddly enough, I actually liked the second better because it felt like a tighter story, although there were definitely some problems (again in the second act).

I don't think it's unfair to compare them despite the change in studio simply because Fox is saddled with a lot of the elements from the first 2 films - namely the look of the world and the actors.

Besides, I'm not making any bold predictions. I'm just saying the first two didn't do it for me. I'm curious to know what made the first one so magical for you.

Reebee7

I was impartial to the first. I wasn't crazy about it. But I was really surprised by the second, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the books, but the alterations fit the movie well.

I think this third could be a really beautiful film. I'm sure they'll up the action, but by and large the book is about sailing from world to world, each different and unique, to the ends of the ocean. The possibility of stunning visuals is so high, they could do some really beautiful and artistic things with this one (if I remember right, there's a part where the water is very shallow and clear blue and there are flower petals floating all around the ship. Images like this could be expanded on to create something truly striking). Each island has something different to work around.

I hope it does well, it would be nice to get all seven made, like The Horse and his Boy and the Magician's Nephew.

Amber

I'm just going to speak quickly as someone who 1. reread ALL of the books in the series (relatively) recently 2. Loved both the 2005 The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and the 2008 Prince Caspian 3. Loved the 1980's BBC LW&W, PC, and VotDT.
To start, the book does not include Peter and Susan except in passing reference, BUT there is room there for a scene or two with the older Pevensies included. It would actually work better to show Peter going off to study for his A levels and Susan going to America with the Pevensie parents then try to just tell the audience they way the book does.
Also, the ability to return to Narnia isn't really about age, it is about belief, faith and individual growth. While Susan never returns to Narnia after Prince Caspian; the other three Pevensie children, Eustace Scrubb, and Jill Pole all return to Narnia in The Last Battle (despite the fact that they are all young adults by this time, ranging in age from 16 [Jill and Eustace] to 22 [Peter])
These movies are a rare, tough breed. Unlike most movies they are made infinitely better by a deep and abiding love for the books. They do a beautiful job of rendering the books into reality.

Oh and Voyage of the Dawn Treader should be AWESOME. You really get to see more of Narnia in that one.

Calm Down: Postcards from Narnia’s ‘Dawn Treader’

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