Big Screen Blurb: Chronicles of Narnia--The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I've been to Narnia three times now. Well, I've vicariously been there through the Pevinsie kids. The first time (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) was okay, but Susan's constant nagging and over-anaylytical annoyances kinda ruined that trip for me. That's the last time I go into a wardrobe without an extra pair of socks or a muzzle. The second time (Prince Caspian) was a fun ride with new characters, plenty of action and sub-plots. The third time (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) is just as fun...a good story with plenty of action and decent acting make for a great journey.

Edmond (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) are back in our world. Just as reluctant about that fact is the notion that they are staying with their aunt and uncle as war continues to rage.  The relatives are oblivious to their presence, except for cousin Eustace (Will Poulter). He's just plain annoyed. Eustace is the intellectual type, who is far more impressed with his allegedly superior intellect than perhaps he should be--not to mention his coveted hygiene awards. Suddenly, and in typical magical fashion, the Pevinsie kids are swashbuckled back in Narnia with cousin in tow.

This time it's not Narnia that needs saving. Rather, the whole world is in need of a little balance. Ed, Lucy and a diffident Eustace have come to help King Caspian (Ben Barnes) fulfill a promise to Aslan to find the Lords of Talmar. Once the threesome are plopped onto the Dawn Treader, they begin the search for the seven missing Lords. The quest soon takes them to an island, where they uncover a slave trading operation and worse: the pure evil of the Green Mist. Many Narnians have been sacrificed to this transparent enemy and, well, let the adventure begin. The group sets off to find the seven swords of the Lords to present to Aslan's table which will swing balance back toward the good guys. Yadayadayada island hopping adventures, rough seas and life lessons abound and are delivered in a fun, exciting and insightful 112 minutes.

Yes, there is plenty of the standard religious symbolism and symmetry that was present in the initial two offerings. If that's not your schtick, but you like a great story--there's still plenty here for you. Ultimately, it's about overcoming your worst enemy: You. It's about self-acceptance and coming to grips with your own reality in trying to carve out a better path ahead. A good lesson, huh? Take Edmund, for example. He's been my favorite character throughout the trilogy. He screwed up big time in round one. Learned his lesson. Accepted his role and has gone on to great things since, but he's haunted. He is still haunted by the mistakes of his past with the White Witch. The same is true for us. Regardless of what we accomplish in life, we often let the lingering mists of those mistakes and regrets cloud us today. It's a great and valuable lesson that encourages us to move beyond the past with a focus on the moment and the 'morrow...with acceptance and peace. And yeah, there's got to be something to the symbolism used by C. S. Lewis because, even as a recovering former fundmentalist (stress on the 'former'), I still get a wave of warm goosebumps when Aslan appears. Good stuff.

All in all, it's good for 4.5 Stars in my book. I've seen it twice and will buy the Blu-Ray. This is one to see and see BIG!

That's it for me in 2010. Thanks for reading. I love the e-mails. I love the feedback. Continue to ask me anything and yes, I love the movie requests. I PROMISE to see Black Swan soon. That is a guarantee! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

True...OUT!