Big Screen Peter: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

 

Editor’s note: Peter Lewis has agreed to use whatever it is you call his writing style to provide some measure of analysis to those folks who still go to a theater to see a movie.

review by Peter Lewis

For better or worse, it’s virtually impossible to visit a film series like The Chronicles of Narnia without religion worming its way into the discussion. In many respects, the work of C.S. Lewis has largely devolved into a proxy war-zone, with everyone from evangelicals to atheists and plenty of folks in between arguing over the meaning, value and intent of the series. This interest has spiked in the past few years with the release of the first installation by Disney and has continued through the third and most recent, “The Dawn Treader.”

This latest film reunites viewers with Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes), the younger pair of the four Pevensie children. As the war continues, Lucy and Edmund are stuck in Cambridge at the home of their aunt and uncle. Uncomfortable and annoyed with their situation, the pair are obviously jealous that their sister Susan and brother Peter are both spared their singular fate. Making life particularly bothersome is their cousin, Eustace, a spoiled and hyper-intelligent, yet blissfully unaware child. In short, Eustace (Will Poulter) exemplifies the grating edge of a stereotypical pompous Brit, still deluded about personal and national worth to a point of extreme fault.

With the help of a seascape painting, the derisive Eustace is cast out into a Narnian sea with Edmund and Lucy. It is there that the trio are picked up by King Caspian and the crew of the Dawn Treader to find the seven lost Lords of Narnia.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader marks a significant split in the Narnia series. While there were certainly dark elements within the previous two films, the films dealt with such diametric through a straight forward battle sequence. Here, the tone is much more ominous as evil seems to lurk around the corner from even the lighter moments. And this feeling is given full course throughout the film, not only in the fantastic sequences with evil beasts, but as Lucy and Edmund both struggle to come to terms with inner demons.

In most respects, the pair of siblings would be considered the “stars” of the story (and if not them, perhaps the dashing and handsome King Caspian played by Ben Barnes). It is, however, that sniveling and obnoxious Eustace that shines brightest throughout the film, granting not only comedy, but a redemptive warmth to the narrative. It is rather rare that such a well-rounded character portrayal can be achieved. And, if it weren’t for Poulter’s wonderful turn in Son of Rambow (hands down one of the best movies to be released in 2008), the seeming ease with which it is accomplished would be much more astonishing.

While Poulter’s performance is certainly laudable, the structure of the character itself is particularly noteworthy. Eustace is, for lack of a better phrase, an empty belittler. The early portions of the film are filled with him directing scorn and derision on all of those around him, the believers as it were. Even as the crew of the Treader continues onward in their quest and the obviousness of the situation is made self-evident, Eustace remains obstinate in his ridicule and adamant about his desire to find a British consul to lodge a formal complaint.

Even as disbelief stands in his way, Eustace begins his slow path towards Pauline conversion with the help of a small, but dashing mouse by the name of Reepicheep (voiced by Simon Pegg). As the mysterious darkness instills bowed and craven behavior in the other main protagonists, it is small Reepicheep that remains strong of heart throughout the film. And while many are content to watch Eustace flounder in his own negativity and ineptitude, it is Reepicheep that sees not what he is, but what he can become. With Reepicheep in his ear prodding him along, Eustace learns what it means to believe — not in creatures or parallels worlds, but to care about something larger than oneself.

So while the growth of Eustace may have the most significance as the series moves forward into its next chapters, the true heart of the film lies with the little mouse. His courage and humble self-effacement mark him as a worthy Narnian, but it is his determination in guiding Eustace that ultimately marks him as Lewis’ paragon of a well-lived life.

From a critical standpoint, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is an average to slightly above average film. It won’t be winning any major awards, but it doesn’t really set out to. The film is aimed mostly at children, but comes packed with hopes of large dollar signs through serious crossover appeal. It just doesn’t quite get there. So, if you’re over say 16, you probably won’t be that impressed with Disney’s creation. Unless of course you’re like me and have a weird fascination with examining underlying meanings behind children’s fantasy stories.

• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is playing at the Carmike 14 and the Malco Cinema 12 in Fort Smith, and the Malco Van Buren Cinema. Link here for time and ticket info.

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