Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader DVD

STUDIO: Fox | DIRECTOR: Michael Apted | CAST: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes
RELEASE DATE: 4/8/2011 | PRICE: Single DVD $29.98, Two-DVD $34.98, Blu-ray/DVD $39.99
BONUSES: commentary, deleted scenes on single DVD, two-DVD and Blu-ray/DVD adds featurettes, more
SPECS: PG | 113 min. | Fantasy | 2.35:1 aspect ratio | 5.1 Dolby Digital audio | English, Spanish, French subtitles

RATINGS (out of 5 dishes): Movie | Audio | Video | Overall

The third movie adaptation of C.S. Lewis‘ beloved series of Narnia books, doesn’t have the majesty of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe or the action the second, Prince Caspian, but The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is still a fine fantasy film.

This time, the moral, if you will, is about humility and the downside to being a stuck-up kid, which we learn through new character Eustace (Will Poulter, Son of Rambow). Eustace is the Pevensie children’s cousin, who gets pulled into Narnia along with regulars Lucy and Edmund (Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes returning from the past two films). The three children go on an adventure on the seas in the ship the Dawn Treader, trying to restore peace to Narnia, and along the way, each learns a lesson about who they are.

The performances, and it’s nice to see some repeats from the other movies in the franchise, including Tilda Swinton (Orlando) as the White Witch and Liam Neeson (The A-Team) lending his smooth voice to Aslan. Too bad Eddie Izzard (Every Day) didn’t return as the voice of the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep, but Simon Pegg (Paul) fills in nicely.

The adventure movie was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Apted (the 28 Up series and Bond film The World Is Not Enough), who’s quick to admit that the visual effects required for Dawn Treader. In the commentary Apted recorded with producer Mark Johnson, Apted marvels over the number of people needed to do the effects, how the effects were done and their final appearance in the movie. He also explains how he filmed on-water scenes without being at sea, a trick he learned from a friend. Listening to the commentary, you get the feeling that the film was a new experience for Apted, and it’s quite addictive.

The DVD also has four nice deleted scenes that are well performed and filled with extra drama.

That’s it for the single-DVD edition, but the two-DVD and Blu-ray/DVD versions have more special features.

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