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Film Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

 Best for ages: 7 & Up

Movie Website:  Click Here

Year Released: 2010

Rated: PG (US)

The Review

The Chronicles of Narnia movie right were first picked up by Disney.  Disney produced the first two films in the series. However, even though the worldwide performance at the box office was good Disney eventually gave up its producing rights and pulled the plug on Voyage of the Dawn Treader. With the film already in production, Fox picked it up and along with Walden Media they finished the film and breathed new life into the franchise.  The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third film in the series and is based on the third book in the C.S. Lewis Narnia series and personally I think it’s the best one yet. Now, I never read the books and there is a bit of a thing going on with die hard Narnia fans who think that the films should be done in Chronological order (the same with the way they think the books should be read) instead of their publication order. However, having never read the books, I think the films mesh well from one to another.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader finds Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their annoying cousin, Eustace Scrubb, return to Narnia. Once there, they join Caspian's voyage on the ship Dawn Treader to find the seven lords who were banished when Miraz took over the throne. They end up following a blue star towards a the place where the lords gathered, but beyond that island is an island of evil which everyone aboard the Dawn Treader must face in order to collect the seven swords of the lords and return them to Aslan's table. Once all seven swords are together on the table only then can the evil curse plaguing the lands be lifted.

   I have seen all three of the films and without a doubt this is the best film in the series. What The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has over the other two films is that this particular story is a straight forward adventure, there is not telling of back story and over the top character development and particulars on wars of the past and religious philosophy. It’s a right to the point adventure story, where our characters start out on the Dawn Treader and travel from land to land each island having it’s own unique landscape and characters that give the adventure more depth. The story easily develops right in front of your eyes and instead of having to think to deep into the plot like you did with the first two films, in this one; you’re along for the ride. You are solving the mystery right along with the characters. The adventure is a fun and dangerous one filled with all of the things from your dreams and your nightmares. It is an overall fun story that is direct to the point once all is said and done.

   The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack has some special features which include “The Untold Adventures of The Dawn Treader” Animated Short, King Caspian’s Guide to the Dawn Treader: Legends and Lore of the Great Ship, 4 Deleted Scenes, 5 Islands Explorations, Narnian Discoveries: Friends and Foes of Narnia (7 featurettes), 3 Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes including Battle on the Sea Sword Game, 4 Fox Movie Channel Presents Behind The Scenes Featurettes and Audio Commentary by Director Michael Apted and Producer Mark Johnson. The DVD special features include Deleted Scene and Audio Commentary by Director Michael Apted and Producer Mark Johnson. The Combo pack also comes with a digital copy of the film also.

   Overall, with all it’s action, sword wielding violence, and not to mention all the evil lurking around in the waters; I would say this film is best suitable for kids over the age of seven. There is a lot going on in the films story that would spark questions from younger children. There is a scene where the kids are kidnapped and are being sold into slavery, some hard paranormal elements where people disappear from their families, greed plays a large factor and all of the monsters in the film make it one that might not be suitable for younger viewers. I personally think it’s the best film by far in the series .It is a lot of fun, action packed and has a great easy to follow fantasy story. If you are a fan of the books or of the first two films this is a must have film to add to you collection.

BUY THIS MOVIE.