I just rewatched VDT for the first time since I saw it in theatres. And even though I haven't posted on NarniaWeb in literally years, I needed to talk to
someone about it. And here you all are still, true Narnian fans.
I still think it's a poor movie and a terrible adaptation.
But, there were definitely some things I appreciated about it.
Eustace: I think he can be a little over the top sometimes, but Will managed a rather convincing over the top. He's just so earnest in his performance. Eustace turns out being a sympathetic and likeable character for the most part.
Eustace and Reepicheep's Friendship: I think they captured the dynamics of their friendship in the movie, and it's incredibly sweet. The moment when Eustace the dragon is crying (looking a lot like Pauline Bayne's illustration) and Reepicheep comes over to comfort him just felt like the book to me.
Costumes: I really like them, especially Lucy's. They look so comfortable. My sister keeps trying to get me to commit to dressing up when we finally go to Comic-Con, but I couldn't think of any character I loved enough to dress up as who doesn't wear a dress (I'm sort of prejudiced against them
). I might just go as Lucy from VDT.
Edmund's Torch: I think it was a really cute idea for Caspian to save it and store it with the royal treasures, as if he thought it was Edmund's gift from Father Christmas.
The Dufflepuds: The character designs were passable, but not realistic-looking enough for me. BUT, their personalities were pretty much spot-on. I loved most of their dialogue. Like when Lucy asks why the Dufflepuds didn't just go read the Magician's Book themselves, and they say, "We can't read." "Or write." *longer gap of time* "Or add."
The Snow: I liked it, okay? It was pretty and made me think of Lucy and her first time in Narnia. It was a nostalgic moment for Lucy and me.
Also, the CG was really good for the transformation from Lucy to Susan, but I'm not so sure I like that change.
The Silver Sea: So, the scene's not long at all, but it sure is pretty and fairly accurate. I wish the lilies looked more alive, but they're gorgeous anyway.
The Journey's End and Lucy's Bedroom: This whole section is without a doubt the best part of the movie. I'm not keen on Caspian's inclusion, but ignoring that, I absolutely love it. Reepicheep's departure is unexpectedly touching (I've never been a fan of Reepicheep. Sorry). The dialogue is actually decent-ish for most of it and actually attempts to stay true to the book for some reason. It's Georgie's finest acting moment in the movie. For me, it was the first time she actually seemed natural, the way she does in LWW. After Edmund gives Aslan a formal bow, the way Lucy just marches up to Aslan and hugs him. Just, ugh!
I cry.
And then there's my favorite scene of all. After the transition to the bedroom, I love how you actually get a moment to soak it all in with the characters. You watch the water recede all the way into the painting. You know what the characters are feeling, even though they're not saying anything. Arnold's bittersweet music in this scene is the best he wrote for the movie. Eustace's narration is lovely. Eustace gets up and reverently hangs the painting back on the wall. And then they all get up and leave the room, looking wistfullly at the painting. Lucy last of all. And she closes the door on that section of their lives.
I think that scene really provides closure for Lucy and Edmund.
I know after writing ALL of that, it might seem like I actually
like the movie. I assure you, I do not. However, I do like the very very end.
