--- title: "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian" critics_score: 60 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008): what the critics said Critics' score 60 from 14 reviews: 4 positive, 8 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews lean towards a mixed response, with praise clustering around the creatures, visual effects and scale of the battles. Several critics find Prince Caspian more polished and confidently staged than its predecessor, though that improvement does not consistently make it more involving. Peter Dinklage’s performance earns praise even from reviewers who find little else to enjoy. The darker tone is generally less contentious than the question of whether the spectacle sustains the adventure. Reservations centre on predictable plotting, uneven performances and battles that some find exciting and others bloodless. Length and weak character development also temper the praise, leaving most critics somewhere between qualified approval and disappointment. The spread is wide at the extremes: The Skinny regards the sequel as thoroughly satisfying and a substantial improvement, while Paste finds it dull and shallow, with Dinklage and Eddie Izzard providing rare bright spots. ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 June 2006. O’Hara finds the sequel significantly improved but still less affecting than the books. She praises its vividly realised creatures and thrilling battle scenes, while faulting its showy effects and uneven performances. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/chronicles-narnia-prince-caspian-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — The Associated Press Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2008. The critic calls the sequel worthy, though less wondrous than its predecessor. They praise the grand-scale battle sequences, gorgeous effects and Peter Dinklage’s performance. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/film-review-chronicles-narnia-prince-111510/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 2008. McCarthy finds the sequel darker, more conventional, and more crisply made than its predecessor, with a straightforward war-film structure. He praises the action staging, visual effects, and production values, while noting that the battle-heavy story is predictable. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian-2-1200522584/) ## Evening Standard — Jackie Annesley Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic finds the film entertaining but overlong. She praises its humour and visual pace, while noting that its 2-hour-20-minute running time is excessive. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/spectacular-premiere-for-a-more-savage-narnia-7407470.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2008. Turan finds the sequel more polished than its predecessor, though its mix of battle spectacle and gentler moments does not always find its balance. He praises Andrew Adamson’s surer direction and the film’s kid-friendly adventure style. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-narnia16-2008may16-story.html) ## Screen Daily — David D'Arcy Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2008. The available page shell does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no readable praise or complaint to identify. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian/4038735.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page content is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the material provided. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/19/movies/19arts-PRINCECASPIA_BRF.html) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 3/5. Jones calls the fantasy adventure bland, though he finds plenty of camp court intrigue, quaint pantomime action and epic CGI battles. The darker tone and spectacle offer some entertainment, but the review’s verdict is restrained. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0l6m65/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian/) ## Time Out — Wally Hammond Rating 3/5. 24 June 2008. The review treats the film’s darker tone as nothing to worry too much about. Its available description compares that shift to the second installments of the Rings and Potter films. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating C. 15 May 2008. Phipps finds the sequel lifeless and less compelling than its predecessor. He praises the creatures’ beautiful designs but faults the bland performances and bloodless battle scenes. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian-1798204284) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2008. Mackie finds the film visually engaging but less involving than its predecessor. He praises the improved CGI and vivid range of creatures, while criticizing the baggy plot and Ben Barnes’s stiff performance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/21/chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian-dvd-review) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 1.5/4. 14 May 2008. Schager finds the sequel a clumsy, chaotic adventure with underdeveloped characters and a rushed feel. He particularly faults its neglect of moral dilemmas in favor of an unfunny talking mouse. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian/) ## The Skinny — Paul Greenwood Rating ★★★★. 19 June 2008. Greenwood finds the sequel thoroughly satisfying and a major improvement on the first film. He praises its sweeping battles and moments of awe and majesty. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian) ## Paste — Russ Fischer Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2008. Fischer gives the film a strongly negative verdict, calling it a dull, shallow slog. He singles out Peter Dinklage’s performance and Eddie Izzard’s comic voice work as bright spots. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/ben-barnes/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian.md