Our family went to see Prince Caspian early this evening. We had the chance to see it for free. We received an invitation from the Hult Education Center here in Peoria to view it and so we took advantage of the opportunity. While the first installment of this series received high marks from everyone in the family, this one got mixed reviews. Zach didn’t care for it at all (too slow) and I loved it (wonderful spiritual truth). So, here’s my take.
While I will agree with Zach that it was a bit slow, the overall content was very satisfying. There are deeply spiritual themes in this movie that impact me in significant ways, as was the case with the first one. There is something about story and visual elements that communicate in ways to me that other methods do not. I guess that’s why Jesus taught so often with parables. Here are a few elements that really resonated with me.
LUCY SEES ASLAN WHEN NO ONE ELSE DOES
Early on in their return to Narnia, the children reach an impassable barrier. Lucy sees Aslan (the Christ figure) but no one else does. When Peter asked her why she could see Aslan and he couldn’t she replied, “Perhaps you weren’t looking.” How many times have I missed seeing Jesus simply because I wasn’t looking? How many times have I walked by opportunities he had created for me because I had my mind somewhere else? How many blessings have I missed out on by failing to follow his leading because I already had a plan that didn’t need him? I want to be like Lucy… I want to see through eyes of faith.
FORGETTING OUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND OUR DELIVERER
During another scene, Peter makes a plan to attack the castle of Lord Miraz. As the plan is debated, warriors dedicate themselves to fighting to the death. Lucy makes an interesting observation. She says, “it is though there are no other options. You will die here, or die there. Perhaps you are forgetting who delivered us the last time.” Lucy clearly understands the need to wait on the power and wisdom of Aslan to lead them. But Peter is tired of waiting. The attack on the castle meets with disaster and creates a powerful picture of how our impatience can have dire consequences… not only for ourselves, but for others. I understand Peter. Maybe too well. I am not a patient man. But I know that I must rely on my deliverer…. even if that means waiting sometimes.
ASLAN IS BOTH GENTLE AND POWERFUL
There is something absolutely captivating to me about a lion being the picture of Jesus Christ.
I can’t really explain the internal reaction I have to the image, but it is powerful and it is very moving. What is so awesome about this story is the incredible range of character that our Lord has. When Lucy and Aslan finally meet up, there is warmth and joy, laughter and encouragement. In another scene, Aslan displays strength and power, and even judgment against evil. I know that is who my Lord is. He is all those things and more. There is something about this movie that draws me to him. I want to know him both in his gentleness and encouragement. I also want to know him in his power and strength. I want to have the child-like faith that Lucy has. The kind of faith that sees him above all others. The kind of faith that is willing to wait. The kind of faith that is willing to risk. The kind of faith that shows others that he is real.
You may not like it much as an action movie. You may be like Zach and decide once is enough. But I hope you are willing to let it elevate your faith. And I hope you are willing to let it remind you of what an awesome God we serve.
BTW - The swashbuckling mouse is a hoot. Loved him!
For another thorough review of the Christian perspective, click here to read the post at Christ and Pop Culture.























May 16th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Had hoped to see it opening night, but will have to wait. The scene I look forward to - that made me stop in my tracks while reading the book - *gasp* Reading?!?!!
When Lucy first sees Aslan and states that he has grown. Aslan replies that it is Lucy who has grown, and as she grows He (Aslan) will appear larger as well.
How many of us never allow our faith to grow - or the faith of our kids through letting them see the full scope of the biblical stories? We teach kids a cartoonish bible story, and that story remains cartoonish forever, because we don’t let the REALness of the stories (whether due to blood or gore, or just because we are so comfortable with the cleaned up version) grow with us. Then at some age kids discard the Bible along with their comic books, because we presented them in the same bright colors / fictional image.
Rich
May 17th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Well said, Rich. That line really struck me too. As we grow, God grows. As our faith enlarges, so does our view of our savior. And he doesn’t grow in a false “super-hero” way, but in a real way as we understand more and more of who he really is. It’s kind of like the Bible. Just because we’ve read something once, doesn’t mean there isn’t something new there for us. It’s ever changing. Not in the truth it contains, but in the truth that is revealed to us as we change.
This is the greatest part about these movies to me….they are helping me enlarge my view God. It’s really cool.
May 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Coach,
I think you did an excellent job identifying some different themes, and I think you’re right on about the power of stories/parables. Rich’s scene he described is certainly one I haven’t heard people mention. I included your post in a list of post I found the other night talking about spiritual themes in Prince Capian. Thanks for posting this so I could include it.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Thanks for the encouragement RC. I think you did an awesome job putting together in interesting list of articles for people to read through. Thanks for taking th time to do that, and for dropping by here. Be blessed!
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
too bad they cut out some of that part where Aslan confronts Lucy about trusting her convictions, but i guess they had to make it appealing to the masses… great observations on your review tho!
June 4th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Patrick, thanks for the thumbs up. I benefit from the fact that I haven’t read the series of books, so I don’t have “comparisonitis”. I’ve watched movies based on books I’ve read, and usually come away disappointed. So for me, I am taking the movies at face value and appreciating them on their own merit.
Come back again!