To its credit, there is an attempt to weave a subtext of faith throughout, but it is shoved to the back. While it is made to feel deep and meaningful, it is not explored fully enough to have any sort of real impact. Well, at least there is more of an attempt here to retain the author's thoughts than there was in The Golden Compass.

The biggest problem I had with the film is that I did not care about any of the characters. It did not matter if they loved or died, nor did it matter if they succeeded in taking back the throne or whether they found Aslan or not. The blandness of the actors did not help matters, either. Just how many vacant stares does Ben Barnes, as Prince Caspian, possess? Oh yes, just one that is used over and over. Then there is Sergio Castellitto as Miraz, I kept wanting him to laugh maniacally while stroking his beard. The four kids are all right, but they never really light up the screen either.

I guess it wasn't a complete loss, but there I can see so much more potential in the material than what is shown. I did enjoy the comic vignettes with Reepicheep, the battle mouse voiced by Eddie Izzard. Peter Dinklage is an excellent actor and his skill shown through the big beard he had to wear as Trumpkin. Still, this should have been a stronger experience than it was.

Bottomline. This is not a bad movie nor is it a good movie. What it is, is a very mediocre movie. The screenplay is loaded with clunkers, not to mention the pacing/story, or lack thereof, issues. I am sure fans of the novel will have plenty to complain about, while others will enjoy the flash of it all. I was not able to get behind it, yet I am not inclined to completely pan it. There are much worse films you could be subjected to.

Very Mildly Recommended.