While The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe excused some of its corniness with cute kid actors, its anticipated sequel, Prince Caspian, comes nowhere close. Two years has dissolved that adorable innocence that made the first movie semi-cherishable. But the cheese-factor has been substantially raised. There is very little development of the characters. Peter is reduced to an arrogant, conceited kid, spoiled by his title "Peter the Magnificent." He even introduces himself as that! Susan looks continuously grave, a result of too much eyeliner in a land where cosmetics don't exist. As for the romance between Susan and Prince Caspian, it's illogical and poorly developed. It consists solely of exchanges of long glances and a kiss at the very end when they know they won't see each other ever again. Why do classics like The Chronicles of Narnia and Tuck Everlasting have to be spoiled by creating romance that didn't exist in the books because the characters were 12? As for the battle scenes, they are far too long and far too reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. The only redeeming qualities are the sword-brandishing mouse Reepicheep, the fact that Edmund had a flashlight in Narnia, and the situations and dialogue that are so corny they're humorous. As an epic it fails. As a entertaining children's movie, I must concede that it succeeds. 2 out of 5 stars.
