Prince Caspian Is My Homeboy

Posted by Nostalgiaholic | on May 8, 2008

Remember, the brand new Prince Caspian movie will be in theaters May 16. That gives you just enough time to read the brilliant novel on which it’s based, and watch the BBC mini-series from the 80s that sparked a thousand adolescent imaginations.

This’ll be a short one, I promise… Prince Caspian movie poster

The trailer for the brand-new Hollywood re-whatever-ing of C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian has been all over your internet browser for a couple of weeks now, in fact the movie is now a week away ! For the interest of interest, I’ll offer you the trailer HERE !!!

It’s been three years since The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe (2005) hit theater screens and re-kindled a new generation’s love in the land of Narnia. Not only did it do wonders of exposure for the burgeoning movie franchise, but it also finally put this legendary bit of children’s literature on the map for Generation Mp3 to delight in. If Prince Caspian is as entertaining and visually brain-scorching as The Lion… I’ll totally be going out as Aslan next Halloween (not sure how I’ll rig up the back end of the lion body, but I have plenty of time to figure it all out).

I can’t remember exactly what age I was when I received the complete Chronicles of Narnia book series for a Christmas present, but I do remember the care my mom took to lovingly inscribe each of the seven inside covers with nauseatingly mom-like messages.

Take a break from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air re-runs and Read Up On Narnia.

Cover of Prince Caspian book The seven novels by C.S. Lewis tell the complex and fantastic tale of the magical and temporally-impaired land of Narnia. The fourth book in the series (which was actually written second) follows the ordeals of four World War II-era English children who travel between our world and Narnia. Armed with stiff English upper lips, magical weapons, and a Lion (Aslan) who may or may not be Jesus (depending how you interpret the books) the children fight along side the titular Prince Caspian to save the land from the evil King Miraz.

Wow, confusing ? Don’t worry, it’s British Fantasy literature… and you’re getting off easy. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books are twice as dense, filled with industrial-strength socio-political satire and characters that burst into song at the drop of a broadsword. In Narnia everything is delightfully light-hearted and fast-paced, characters rarely sing (’cept the lions) and the only completely confusing bits include Santa Claus. But never mind.

At about the same time I finished the whole series of books, my local public TV station began running a series of imported BBC movies based on (you guessed it) The Chronicles Of Narnia. The BBC made three flicks starting with The Lion… followed by Prince Caspian and the direct sequel, Voyage of The Dawn Treader (which will undoubtedly be Hollywood’s plan as well). Much like the equally-enchanting Box of Delights, the BBC Narnia series was a brilliant combination of action, storytelling, and the best 1980s-on-a-budget visual effects money could buy. If you loved the novels, or you get love-slapped by the upcoming movie, you absolutely HAVE to grab a bootleg copy of the BBC movie (or wait until public TV airs it again).

BBC Narnia movie pic

If you did happen to watch the ‘ol BBC movies, I dare you to not get nostalgic at this Youtube BBC Narnia Montage.

Remember, the brand new Prince Caspian movie will be in theaters May 16 (one week!), followed by the new Indiana Jones flick on May 22, so save room for popcorn.

Much love.

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