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The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

(2008, Rated PG, Fantasy, Starring Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Ben Barnes)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Tween-friendly adaptation darker than the first.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Acts of betrayal, deceit, and attempted murder launch the film, and plenty of politics and back-stabbing follow -- but the kings and queens of old, as well as Caspian, fight for what is good and true. The Telmarines are determined to exterminate the Narnians, whom they regard as inferior and strange. Caspian is tempted by revenge, and Peter's pride leads to disaster, but everyone sees the error of their ways in the end. For the most part, girls are portrayed as courageously as the boys -- though in one scene, a girl needs to be rescued by her prince.
  • Violence:

    Lots of swordfights and battles, some of which get pretty brutal. There's not much gore or blood, but there's tons of hitting, lancing, pushing, screaming, clubbing, and stabbing. Many characters are shot with arrows (not much blood shown). One particular one-on-one duel is quite intense and stretches out for some time, and many of the shots are filmed up close. Most of the main characters (including Peter, Edmund, and Susan) dispatch many of their enemies with swords, arrows, and more. There's also lots of discussion of war strategy, and the "bad" guys seem particularly vicious when talking about how to vanquish the Narnians.
  • Sex:

    Some mild flirting; a single tender kiss at the end.
  • Language:

    Very tame -- "shut up" and "idiot" are used a few times.
  • Consumerism:

    A few scenes show signs for the London Underground.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Parents need to know that this sequel to the enormously popular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has more dark moments than the first movie. It broods on the nature of deceit, greed, and hunger for power. It also has a brutal one-on-one swordfight (some of the shield slams may leave even adults cringing) and extensive battle scenes that are portrayed as bone-crunching, metal-clanging, sword-lancing riots. All of the main characters, except Lucy, are responsible for many enemy deaths. That said, it's all relatively blood-free: Though characters are pierced by arrows and swords and fall to the ground (many are injured, and some do die), little gore is shown besides the odd cut on the lip or cheek. Younger viewers may notice and be unsettled by the menacing tone throughout most of the movie -- including a scary appearance by the White Witch -- though it's relieved fairly frequently with funny asides from the characters. While not overt, the movie includes Christian imagery and allegorical storylines, and the characters learn clear moral lessons by the end.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether this film is faithful to the book -- both in spirit and in plot. What was changed? Why do you think the filmmakers strayed from the original story? Which do you like better, and why? Families can also discuss why Aslan is seen at first only by Lucy. Are there religious/Biblical overtones to her belief in him? What does he mean when he says "Nothing happens the same way twice"? Also, how do Caspian and Peter handle sharing leadership duties? Are they successful? If not, how do they resolve the issue?

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See all 93 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!

    THIS MOVIE IS THE BEST!!!!! I GO CRAZY FOR SKANDER KYANS!!!!!

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    great for most ages

    I think prince caspian was a good movie with a mildly scary beginning and one other scary scene but it was a great family-friendly christian movie

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    Pretty Good

    I liked this movie, but it was not as good as the first movie. I went to see it with my 4th-8th grade class,and I saw it with my mom, dad, and 8 year old brother. I was a little surprised at the first part especially with my brother watching it. It is a lot more violent than the last movie also. I would give it an A- and reccomend it to anyone 10 and up.

  4. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Perfect Action/Adventure movie

    I know lots of people think that this movie is too scary for kids, and it might be for some children, but my brother, whose almost 7, saw it when it came out last year. He loves the movie and so do I. It has a good plot, and great visual effects. And there is no inappropriate content.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Awesome for kids who are not easily disturbed by violence

    OMG, I LOVE this movie! A must see!

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 0.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    great for tweens

    i liked thiis movie to violent for younger ones though

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    AWESOME!!!!!!

    OMG I love this movie! Almost as good as LOTR!!!!

  10. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    narnia rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

    really cool movie one of my favorite but i got to say the first is the best

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  12. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Good Movie

    While I have to admit the violence was there I don't think it was that excessive. I am a very strict parent when it comes to what movies we allow in our home but the moral lessons of this movie far outweight the violence.

  13. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Your young princes deserve a better movie!

    The battle scenes were excessively violent and did not add to the story. We understand the conflict and only one face-off is necessary. Very gratuitous and not much else.

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    A good movie!!!

    There was one kissing part in the movie and there was fighting. I like this movie because it is adventurous!! The big water man in the movie is God helping the travelers.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Great Movie

    I really love this movie! It was so good. The only thing in this movie is that Susan kisses Prince Caspian at the end. It's even better than the first. Your children may be frightened by the violence in this movie. People are killed, and tons of swords are involved. This is a great movie.

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Awesome and Epic movie for tweens.

    An aewsome epic movie! The special fx are great and the acting is very well done. Cant wait for the next movie!

  17. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Get the DVD/Blu-ray

    REALLY GOOD. Hope they make more of these books into movies.

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 2.0

    I lost 1 brain cell watching this!

    The baby scene is just like... SCARY! I hate it when babies cry like that... you know that and.... I had to go out of the movie when intense scenes come. SERIOUSLY!

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0

    It was PG, what?!

    The only reason this movie was PG was because of a few comiedic relief lines and the fact that the first one was PG. Very very very Dark for a PG off for 8 and younger. 9-12 parents cautioned. P.S. Twilight even wasn't as dark.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0

    Great!

    As this was the only war-movie that I am allowed to see, it is great. I loved the books, and I loved the movie. The fight scenes were intense for a PG film. Reccomended.

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