Aslan Returns, Part VII: Castle Raid

The Castle Raid is not where the script deviates the most from the book, and if it is, it's the least offensive. However, it opens a whole new area up to our investigation, as well as interpretation.

The castle raid seriously develops both Peter and Caspian, while proving the Susan is remaining static. Edmund is only slightly involved, more for a light-hearted side of the raid than action. He still plays a key part though, and his "electric torch" (i.e., flashlight) aids greatly in the humor.

It is here, in the castle raid, that the conflict between Peter and Caspian reaches its climax. Caspian is against the raid, while Peter wishes to be the first to attack. Caspian does not stick to the plan, while Peter refuses to allow for changes. Caspian is looking for old friends and truth; Peter, for glory. The colliding goals absolutely spoil the raid. Because Caspian's heart is not in the raid, he is able to easily adjust his goals as he moves along. Unfortunately, Caspian and Peter do not have any way to communicate changes as the raid progresses, thus causing its demise.

Neither will take responsibility for the mishaps that result from the lack of communication, and so Caspian storms off into the How--where Nikabrik is waiting. Even with his wish that he had not called the ancient Kings and Queens fresh on his memory, Caspian is wary of the White Witch, as he should be. The noise attracts Peter, Edmund and Lucy. Why Susan is not here is a mystery, but fits with how she has been throughout the rest of the film. Nikabrik nearly kills Lucy, but, instead of Nikabrik's killer being an unknown, Trumpkin kills him to save Lucy, a turning point in Trumpkin's character.

Meanwhile, Peter pushes Caspian out of the sphere of the Witch's influence, only to fall into the same trap. If it was not for Edmund, the White Witch would have someone in her control, but Edmund breaks the ice with his sword, breaking the spell. When the ice falls, he is standing before a bas relief of Aslan. Coincidence?

Peter and Caspian look at Edmund, then look over at each other, suddenly realizing that they are both fragile humans, and neither of them has the strength to do this alone. Their reconciliation shows throughout the rest of the film, and when Peter leaves...well, perhaps my good friend Elisa explained it best when she said,

The first time I saw the movie, I left happy and satisfied, and the second time I saw it, I left with a smile on my face, humming the words to "The Call", that beautiful song that plays at the end of the movie. If anything, that song reminded me of why I love Narnia so much. It's not because of the action or the battles or even necessarily the people, but the fact that Narnia is my "special" place, the place I can go and be in a different world and see so many different people and places, all while seeing the truth in life mirrored there. The fact that I can go back there anytime I want, whether it be through the books, or the movies, or even just in my own imagination, is special, and these films that they make just intensify that feeling. And the best part is, there's still more coming...we get to go back in two years! And how fantastic is that?

Very.

Now we're back to the beginning,
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet.
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean you have to forget.

You'll come back when they call you,
No need to say goodbye.
You'll come back when they call you,
No need to say goodbye.



P.S. I think this may fall alongside Yoda's Theme from Star Wars as one of my personal themes.

Aslan Returns, Part VI: CG Characters

For any of my following statements to make good and perfect sense, we must delve into one of my favorite areas of film making: computer generated animation, otherwise known as CG fill-in-the-blank.

As could be expected, the CG characters were wonderful, and were carried out perfectly. The movie, as was previously mentioned, begins in Narnia, and it isn't long before we see a computer animated figure in Trufflehunter, the badger that lives with Nikabrik and Trumpkin. Keeping--and even surpassing--the high standard that has been set for computer generated characters, Prince Caspian hits every note that was laid out in the book. the characters move flawlessly around, the stilted movement of early animation from the BBC version completely lost. The mice are mice, not puppets. And Aslan is larger than ever, just as Lewis had noted.

And boy, does it ever enhance the film. Trufflehunter is vaguely reminiscent of the Beavers, being of the same approximate shape and height, and the centaurs are--well, some of them are just darlin'. There are some smaller centaurs, including a child centaur, which I later found out was one of Tilda Swinton's children. More about that when we hit "Rumours."

The river god is amazing. I think the only thing that could have improved that segment was to actually mist the audience with water when the river god charges. The river god is not, as I had orginally thought, a nyad (the water version of dryads) sort of creature, but is actually a mass of water in and of himself, and quite reminiscent of the water horses in Lord of the Rings. The water is not static, but moves within the form. Unfortunately, he does not speak to Aslan as in the book, but that is definitely not the animator's fault.

And yes, Reepicheep is as cute as all get out.

Aslan Returns, Part V: Susan

Lucy believes. Peter fights. Edmund grows. Caspian learns.

Susan doubts.

I never quite understood why Susan does not come back to Narnia with the rest of the Pevensies. I once read a very cynical explanation that C.S. Lewis thought that seven kings and queens of Narnia sounded better then eight kings and queens of Narnia.

That wasn't a very satisfactory answer.

I have heard others say that this was a refutation of the once-saved-always-saved belief. So why couldn't Lewis have picked someone like Eustace? He's not really a favorite of the series.

But, I have finally come to understand. In Prince Caspian, a small scene was inserted when we should hear Trumpkin snoring (he didn't, if you were wondering). Here, Susan tells Lucy that she was just getting used to being in England again, and now everything has been turned topsy-turvy. She acts as if she is moving in a dream and wonders, however slightly, if Aslan even exists anymore. I think, in the depth of Susan's mind, she is "grown-up" enough to be able to live in one place at one time and do so without assistance. Yet, while Peter goes through the same thought process, he realizes as he tries to lead the Narnians, that he can't. Susan does not. She seems to move through the movie as if the only thing to do was to get everyone where they needed to be and get home. While the others learned a lesson during their first visit to Narnia, Susan did not. She is facing the exact same lesson again--letting go of full control of all events.

And she receives another failing grade.

To look on the other side of Susan, or rather, to look at Anna Popplewell, is another story. Anna says that she will miss filming, and plans to visit ("but now I have to fight my way through security...." sounds like trying to fly somewhere!), but feels confident that she is ready to move on to other things.

She is beginning to care only about lipstick and nylons.

I have found some interesting progressions in photos of Anna. At one point, Anna, who is undeniably very pretty, no matter how you cut the cake, seemed to shine, no matter where she was or what she was doing. I remember looking at one picture where she was windblown, a bit dirty, and probably sweaty, and thinking something along the lines of "wow, I wish I could look that way in those conditions!" But Anna does.

Then she discovered the lipstick and etc. Since the release of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Anna's lips have been slowly but steadily getting redder. Her neckline has been slowly and steadily getting lower (I hope it stops pretty soon.), and, while she will miss working with everyone on set, she says she is ready to move on to new things.

Just like...Susan.

Aslan Returns, Part IV: Caspian

The first question that will appear in many minds is "why on earth is she looking at Caspian before finishing the Pevensies?!?!?!?"

I have a reason, and, hopefully, after reading this, you will understand why.

Andrew Adamson's Caspian, and Ben Barnes, have had an uphill battle with me. When I first heard who, well, after I first saw a picture of who, would be playing Caspian, I had a very cynical outlook on the entire film, which was, in part, justified. Being a die-hard C.S. Lewis fan, and having been very happy with the first movie's adherence to the books, I was unhappy with the difference in the age of Caspian in the book and Ben Barnes, and I was also unhappy with how different he looked from Peter. C.S. Lewis had specifically noted that Caspian was a boy like Peter. In fact, I even quipped to one of my buddies that it wouldn't have been bad at all if Ben Barnes and Orlando Bloom were cast as Caspian and Peter, which shows my utter dislike of the differences. While I did not expect Disney to come up with a carbon copy of William Moseley for Caspian, I still wanted something a bit closer.

But then I sat down in the theater.

Ben Barnes' performance blew me away.

Everything I had ever expected in Caspian was there on the screen before me. He was a young boy, but he was also a man. He was fighting for a throne, yet he knew how inadequate he was to hold it. I was so stunned that someone had to point out to me how his accent came and went before I realized it.

My skepticism about the differences between the book and the script was pretty much completely healed with Caspian. The writers had reached into the book and pulled out the heart of what C.S. Lewis had written about in Prince Caspian, and they built a story around it. This covered a multitude of sins, including the romance angle between Caspian and Susan. But even with the heart of the book in their hands, the movie would have been terrible--except there were some actors who understood the spirit of the story.

The Caspian that Andrew Adamson built had the spirit of the books, even though it lacked the exact details that were given by Lewis. Caspian is at the same brink in life as Peter is: he is no longer a boy, but he is not quite a man. Yet, he reacts in a much different way than Peter. Instead of looking inward and trying to use his own strength to conquer, he looks out, first to the Narnians, then to the ancient kings and queens, and then finally to Aslan himself. When he does try to work in his own strength, during the night raid, the raid is botched, but he seems to slowly begin to understand that it was, partially, his fault, and that he can't control everything by himself and still make out alright. In fact, he even trusts Peter and Edmund so much with the outcome of the duel that he is gone for a large portion.

Caspian's growth and change mirrors that of Peter's. The power play is truly a power play. Caspian knows that the kingship is his by right, and the concept of having a high king over all kings is foreign to the Telmarine mind, however different Caspian's personal views may be. While Peter is fighting the fact that he will not be returning to Narnia, Caspian is fighting for his rights. As Peter begins accepting the fact, Caspian begins to realize that a kingdom is not a right, even for a prince. It is something to be earned, and even then, the kingdom is not his--he is only the steward.

A steward is much different then a king. A king rules supreme. A steward is entrusted with duties, but is accountable to the king. Caspian first understands being a King of Narnia as something where he is the only ruler--a Telmarine mindset. As he watches the Narnians and the ancient kings and kings, he begins to understand that the Pevensies were untrusted with their rule by Aslan, and just as Aslan called them into Narnia, he called them out. And he begins to wonder if he has that sort of strength, to be Aslan's steward for so many people. But he begins to understand. A mark of his understanding, as well as his respect for High King Peter, comes just before the Pevensies leave.

Peter gives Caspian his sword. But Caspian does not take it as a gift. He simply says "I will keep it for you." He claims it not as a king, but as a steward.

It is then that he becomes the true King of Narnia.

Aslan Returns, Part III: Ed

Edmund has clearly learned his lesson from the first story, and is not about to make the same mistake twice. When the others don't believe that Lucy saw Aslan, Edmund does. Edmund's faith is as sure as Lucy's is, but Edmund is growing during this adventure in Narnia. There are two instances that show Ed as a changing man.

The first involves the White Witch. Now, it is interesting to note that Tilda Swinton did no actual filming for this segment of the film. But that is beside the point. While both Caspian and Peter seem to fall under her spell, Edmund doesn't. He makes sure to stay out of her range of influence, and, like he once shattered her wand, shatters the ice of the spell. He knows the strength of the spell, but instead of backing up and leaving, he stays to deliver those who are afflicted. It is interesting to note that, when he breaks the spell, he is standing right in front of a carving of Aslan. Perhaps a flashback of Aslan's deliverance of him? Who knows.

While Peter is taking the "King" thing too far, Ed is learning to know the exact bounds of his authority. When he is sent with the challenge for the duel, Miraz addresses him as "Prince Edmund." Ed looks up at him, then says quietly, "Actually, it's King." Miraz is shocked, so Ed repeats himself, then explains that Peter is the High King, but he is a King, and he expects Miraz to deal with him as he would another King. He is not arrogant, nor prideful, but he is confident.

This confidence, combined with his faith, shows a new dimension of his character. While Peter feels he must take all responsibility on himself and be victorious without Aslan, and Lucy only looks for Aslan's arrival, Ed combines the two. He has faith in Aslan's arrival, but he also has confidence that he is doing as Aslan wants him to. He is ready and willing.

Shouldn't we all be?

Aslan Returns, Part II: Lucy

For all the threats, fears and doubts that harass Susan and Peter, Edmund and Lucy have few. For all the responsibility Edmund picks up, Lucy carries little. But it is not because she is the youngest. I think her siblings learned that lesson last time. Instead, it is because of her faith.

Lucy, in a way, is the most static character in the series. While she does have the child-like faith that Aslan knows exactly what he's doing and will, in his own way, fix everything, she rarely feels challenged in her faith.

As the younger of the two Pevensie girls, Lucy serves as an open ear to Susan's doubts and fears. When Susan wonders why Aslan is not appearing, or if he even exists anymore, Lucy is quite confident that Aslan will appear, and will set everything right. When Susan continues to question, Lucy points out that "maybe he wants us to prove ourselves to him, first." This seems to be an encouragement to Susan, who promptly rolls over and goes to sleep. Lucy, on the other hand, has her first encounter with Aslan, which has a very dreamlike quality to it. While it seems real, when Aslan she and Aslan begin to speak, she suddenly wakes up, once again. It is upon her going to investigate, and Peter following her, that they discover the Narnians. But if her dream was a dream or not is for us to decide, as she and Aslan have a nearly identical conversation in a nearly identical setting later on.

Other than that, Lucy plays a very minor roll among the Pevensies, until the duel, in which, to note, Peter's shoulder is dislocated, whereas in the book he sprains his wrist. But Lucy is not there. She has gone into the woods. The original intent of Lucy's departure is undefined, but it seems she is going to get help. Whether she is looking for Aslan or not is unclear, but, she finds him, after an extended chase in the woods, that includes the famous picture of Susan and Caspian on a horse together.

Then the Lion roars, the trees awake, and Lucy sets to work beside Aslan. Her faith never falters, she never stops and looks back. She only asks Aslan for more courage.

And she is a lioness.

Update

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Aslan Returns, Part I: High King Peter (the Magnficent)

In light of the recent release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, I have been hurled back into the world of blogging. My notes on my initial viewing of Prince Caspian will be cataloged in the series "Aslan Returns." All posts will have some spoiler content in them.

The movie begins in Narnia, and then transfers over to England, where the four Pevensies are getting ready to go to school. Lucy runs up to Susan and demands that she comes with her, then leads her older sister through a throng of school children, finally coming to the middle, where Peter is in a fight.

Thus we see the High King for the first time.

Peter's character progression is very pointed and complex. He is still turning from a boy to a man, even though William Moseley is 21. But I desist.

There is, as was surmised by certain smart people who enjoy spoilers, conflict between Peter and Caspian. The very first time they meet, Peter and Caspian fight, and are only stopped from killing each other by Lucy. Once the Narnians begin forming battle plans, Peter and Caspian clash again, often looking to throw the guilt of all mishaps on each other. After the night raid, Lucy, who did not accompany the others, asks, "What happened?" to which Peter only says, "Ask him," jerking his head in Caspian's direction.

While it is true that Caspian is at fault for the mishap, Peter has his own guilt in the matter. But most of the conflict comes from a sort of power play between the two. Peter is still playing the part of High King Peter The Magnificent (which is what he introduces himself as to Trumpkin). Throughout the entire film Peter is fighting, and then slowly accepting, that he is not coming back. William Moseley noted in an interview that he went through the same process, first resisting, then regretting, and finally accepting that he would never play the part of Peter again. A mark of Peter's knowledge, acceptance, and the passing on of leadership, as well as his respect for Caspian, comes just before the Pevensies leave.

Peter gives Caspian his sword.

Three Days

In three days...what will happen in three days?

In three days, it will be Friday.

In three days, the work and school weeks will be over.

In three days, Oklahoma will open.

Our Lord rose on the third day.

What makes the third day so special? Well, first of all, and probably the most obvious, is that Friday to Sunday is three days, so in American culture, we value those days as our days of freedom--not having to work for anyone else, not having to get up at any set time, not having to do anything on anyones schedule but our own.

To Christians, the third day is special because it was over three days that Christ was crucified and rose again. It is significant to note that our redemption does not come just by Christ's death, but by his resurrection. He could not have conquered hell and grave unless he rose from the dead, becoming our salvation not only by taking on our sins, but conquering the eternal consequences.

To debaters, the third day is very important. Why? Because that's the day we get to find out who goes to nationals. ;)

But this week, the third day is also special. Prince Caspian comes out on the third day.

Be watching for spoilers here.