Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

See the trailer for new ’Narnia‘ film

The first trailer for the new ’Narnia‘ film has been released, and it looks...OK


Everyone loves a grandiose, effects-laden fantasy epic (preferably based on a children’s book that freethinking adults can also enjoy), and with the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy now little more than a faded memory and the ‘Harry Potter’ films set to come to an end, we must ask: who’s next in line for the fantasy franchise crown?

In 2005 we saw the first major contender, the spirited, but lacklustre ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ’. This year we’ve been offered another so-so effort in the form of Chris Weitz’s take on Phillip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ novels, entitled ‘The Golden Compass ’.

Come next May, the Narnia boys are offering up the sequel to the original C.S. Lewis adaptation: ‘The Chronicles of Narina: Prince Caspian'.

It’s a personal rule of mine to never be excited about a film whose trailer contains the line ‘This Summer’, and this is no exception. It’s your usual gubbins about moving trees, magic Underground trains and sprawling battle scenes which will really have to work hard if it wants to rise above its myriad competitors.

See for yourself here.

Author: Time Out



User comments on this story

  • Cat said...
    I always loved the books. The best hing about the first film for me is that it augments and doesn't spoil the story as I read it. It looks like the second will be the same; not particularly ground-breaking, not the biggest special effects movie out but still a good retelling of the tale. I'll watch it and I expect to enjoy it for CS Lewis's story. Posted on Dec 10 2007 15:44
    Report as inappropriate
  • David said...
    The first film was remarkable for the americanisation of dialogue and the emphasis on the violent elements of the story. Doesn't look like we won't get more ofthe same Posted on Dec 10 2007 09:19
    Report as inappropriate
  • Joseph said...
    Our last Narnia film was almost beyond the limits of dull boringness!!Nobody thought that beavers could look so much like finger puppets made out of used tooth picks in such a modern film !! Posted on Dec 09 2007 10:54
    Report as inappropriate
  • Stephen said...
    Yet again another bland looking film about Narina. Did Disney or Walden consult the BBC before making these films, cos their televised version was superior in many ways to the first film Posted on Dec 08 2007 16:51
    Report as inappropriate
4 user comments

What do you think?
Post your comment now

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Hippies who work for The Man

Hippies who work for The Man

To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies

Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov: interview

Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer

Michael Jackson's This Is It: review

Michael Jackson's This Is It: review

Kenny Ortega's posthumous concert film is a rousing eulogy for one of pop's great enigmas

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace

From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'

Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'

Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'

Danish director Lone Scherfig was an unlikely choice for a very English affair like 'An Education'. Cath Clarke meets her

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life

Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations