MovieChat Forums > The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) Discussion > deus ex Narnia anyone?

deus ex Narnia anyone?

posted 13 years ago by keyvenx
8 replies | jump to latest

Seems like EVERY. SINGLE. precarious scene was resolved by a conveniently timed intervention (or the like).

1) Caspian thrown down from horse at the exact location of the badger's abode.

2) Dwarf saved from drowning due to protagonists happening upon the boat at the right time

3) Protagonists rush into room at right time to face standoff between Caspian and evil king and queen.

4) Protagonists rush into room at right time to face standoff between Caspian and snow queen.

5) Good army fights valiantly against overwhelming odds only to turn the tide at the last minute with nicely timed help.

6) Edward cornered only to be saved by a griffon.

I get that this is a children's book, but wow... seems like the scriptwriters didn't bother with imagining anything other than 'help arrives at the very last minute' *triumphant music plays*

I find it supremely insulting to the intelligence of children.

[–] LilRed_RoRo 13 years ago

Also Susan fighting off the horsemen but then falling over, only to be saved by Caspian.

[–] keyvenx 13 years ago

Heck, even the part where they got to Narnia had nothing to do with them. They probably could have sleepwalked through the entire movie and they would STILL have saved Narnia.

Everything seems to fall beautifully into place no matter what they do.

[–] lauraboxall25 13 years ago

While I appreciate the point you are making and slightly agree I can't completely relent as there are many other stories I'm sure that have fortuitous circumstances. However to address your points-

1) Caspian is dragged by the horse for a length so yes still ends up by the badgers den but is only pulled into the vicinity by a spooked horse.

2)They were travelling anyway and so do not appear from nowhere previously in the story. They do however arrive rather weakly written at the right time I do kind of agree.

3)They arrive at the right time, however were not meant to. A deleted scene explains how they rush to the wrong room and then end up at Miraz's bedroom, so had they not gone to the wrong room first they wouldn't have arrived at the right tension filled moment.

4)Caspian and Jadis I disagree with because they are already in Aslan's how except are still fighting while Caspian is deliberating whether to accept or not.

5)Well when doesn't the tide turn last minute? so many films or fictions rely on this last minute turning.

6)ok so that is a little ridiculous but still a *gasp* moment

like I said I kind of agree but they are still kind of plausible things.

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[–] keyvenx 13 years ago

You've missed my point. It's pointless to talk about plausibility in a land with talking badgers and sword-wielding mice.

No, what I'm disappointed with is how the writers don't use smart plots instead of constant 'convenient timing' mechanisms to sort it out.

In most action movies, it is a roughly equal mix of luck, courage and ingenuity (unless it's a comedy) on the part of the heroes. And if it's not, it's made quite obvious - like the Mission Impossible movies are meant to be about close calls and overcoming 'impossible scenarios'.

In this movie, it is 80% luck, 19% courage and 1% ingenuity. And the thing is - grizzled, battle-hardened centaurs and minotaurs will blindly follow schoolchildren into battle for absolutely no reason other than 'they're the chosen one!'

Yes, even after a HUGE fail of an attack on an enemy fortress - no one blames them. It's as if they can lead them off a cliff and the rest will just mutter about how gravity can be a dick.

The bottom line is the heroes are allowed to bumble around all they want, because apparently major characters are not allowed to die at all. Not Aslan, or even the Snow Queen. Fatally injured characters are given a drop of magical water applied by a child.

I reiterate - I understand it is a children's book written decades ago, and I do hope the novels were just badly translated to the screen.

[–] seeyouinkansas 12 years ago

Part of the point, as the film's narrative clearly states at its conclusion, is for the Pevensie children themselves to learn from being in Narnia.

In the book the children are more instrumental than in the film.

[–] Live_Dream 12 years ago

I think some of the things you've discussed happen because it's a kid's movie and things like Edmund's rescue and the big win at the end are generally how kids' movies work.

But also, prophecy and fate, which are discussed in the film can be held responsible for a lot of what you've mentioned. Otherwise, the kids need never have left Narnia and there would be no Telmarines in Narnia at all.

The kids were called into Narnia precisely to happen upon a certain boat at the right time, precisely because they've dealt with the Snow Queen, precisely to challenge Caspian to make him a worthy king and to fight against the Telmarines.

[–] Brommabo 12 years ago

The kids were called into Narnia precisely to happen upon a certain boat at the right time, precisely because they've dealt with the Snow Queen, precisely to challenge Caspian to make him a worthy king and to fight against the Telmarines.

I agree. It was Aslan that timed it all.

[–] RbSnedlap 11 years ago

I agree. It was Aslan that timed it all.

I think that sums things up rather neatly.
The Pevensies are essentially catalysts round which certain essential events that HAVE to happen WILL happen in the Narnian world when they appear.

"Any plan that involves losing your hat is a BAD plan.""