The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian *** (2008, Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell) – Classic Movie Review 3807

In the middle movie of what turned out to be a film trilogy from the much-loved C S Lewis saga, the four Pevensie kids return to Narnia, where they battle to restore Prince Caspian to the throne and overthrow the bad king who has exiled him. Happily, the entertaining first sequel to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) is a bit more feisty and grown-up than the original movie.

Ben Barnes makes a most dashing and spirited Caspian, while Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell continue their roles as Edmund, Lucy, Peter and Susan.

The famous five set out to depose the evil King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto) with the help of a heroic mouse called Reepicheep (voice of Eddie Izzard), and of course also from the mystical lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson) again.

Also in the cast are Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin, Warwick Davis as Nikabrik and Vincent Grass as Doctor Cornelius.

It is followed by The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).

In January 2016 it was announced that a fourth film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair, will reboot the franchise and will have a new cast and director. It is scripted by David Magee (Life of Pi).

Barnes, who wears hair extensions as Prince Caspian, based his accent on Inigo Montoya’s in The Princess Bride (1987), which he found for inspiration in his DVD collection the night before auditions. He was a late addition to the cast just a couple of weeks before the shoot.