The “Narnia” franchise seemed like the spiritually aware cousin to the “Harry Potter” series – until “Prince Caspian” came our way.
Disney quickly dumped the franchise after the second “Narnia” installment, leaving it in the hands of 20th Century Fox. Now, the franchise’s new owners are hoping “The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” opening Dec. 10, can make Aslan and co. relevant again.
That’s why Fox is rallying the troops – faith-based audiences keen on C.S. Lewis’ source material. Lewis, the influential Christian philosopher, wrote seven “Narnia” books. A series resurgence could spark four more blockbusters-in-waiting.
So far, reviews have been mixed to good over at rottentomatoes.com. But the faith-based crowd is tough to predict. It rallied in record numbers to make “The Passion of the Christ” a smash. And spiritually minded movie goers turned microscopic indies like “Fireproof” into profit machines. But the “Narnia” films, including the newest release, weave religious symbolism and themes into the narrative in ways children – and the casual movie goer – might miss.
That’s good news for your average ticket buyer, but it remains to be seen if the subtle approach will be enough to make church-friendly audiences swoon.
It didn’t help “Secretariat,” a film with modest spiritual ties that underperformed at the box office this fall.
The new “Voyage” also lacks the sort of star power found in any given “Potter” picture. “Narnia” fans will recognize a few returning faces, but the film’s cast is mostly unknown. The average “Harry Potter” film employs a half dozen sterling character actors (think Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson and Imelda Staunton to name but a few).
Early media-based predictions on the film’s success are mixed.
The Tale of the Tweet Tape isn’t helping “Narnia” so far, according to boxofficemagazine.com. The film comes in fifth at the moment in the site’s Tweet rankings for upcoming films. Over at Flixster.com, my source tells me overall searches for “Narnia” information this week are up 130 percent from last week, and interest in the film is skewed toward women – particularly women 25 years old and younger. Usually, young males drive mega franchises.
So the new “Narnia” will need some divine intervention to recharges the franchise.
UPDATE: This. Won’t. Help.
(Photo: Lucy (Georgie Henley, center), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Caspian (Ben Barnes) are reunited with their friend and protector, the “Green Lion” Aslan in “The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Photo credit: Courtesy 20th century Fox – Tm & 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Walden Media)
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
The first Narnia movie had a lot of “in your face” Judeo Christian cultural elements that in today’s culture stood out as fresh and even daring. Santa Claus showing up and handing out weapons. The themes of faith, sin, sacrifice and forgiveness were front and center.
The second Narnia movie was nothing more than “Lord of the Rings” lite and had little or no such elements. If the third movie continues this theme it will also fail.
I can’t officially review “Narnia” until Friday, but I thought it did a nice job of balancing faith and storytelling … you’ll have to let me know if you agree.
That said, some of the themes you mention from the first film are themes we see in many movies. They’re entrenched in our Judeo-Christian culture and are often reflected on the big screen. Or, at least they used to be.
It’s not keeping me away (barely), but here’s hoping Liam Neeson’s bizarre recent twisting of the film’s Christian theme to appease the Muslim crowd doesn’t keep the faith based crowds home for the holiday season.
It didn’t help!
I think releasing in December is a much better choice than Summer, like the last film. I also think it will be a battle selling kids on another Fantasy flick outside of the hardcore Narnia fanbase.
CASPIAN, if I remember, was sandwiched in between INDY 4 and IRON MAN. It didn’t stand a chance.
Okay Toto, Friday’s come and gone – where’s your review? You should have a link to all your reviews as Kyle does.
Just sayin.
Consider me scolded, K … sometimes I spread out the new reviews over the weekend when I have a bunch of them to publish … you’ll see the “Narnia” review later today.
Hey Narnia fans, don’t forget that Dawn Treader is coming to Blu-Ray and DVD April 8th! Help spread the word. Tweet the reminder to your friends using #narniavoyage to support!