In Coffee Spoons

Okay, I expected liberties to be taken with Prince Caspian. I did. It's one of the shortest books in the series, and fairly weak on its own.

But...

Good idea: Expand the existing plot, using the substantial chapters of backstory provided in the beginning and a better overview of the significant changes that have taken place in the last centuries.

Bad idea: Ignore the chance to develop backstory and, in fact, cut quite a bit of it out in favor of battle scenes copied from the first movie.

Worse idea: Ignore the chance to develop backstory and, in fact, cut quite a bit of it out in favor of battle scenes copied from the first movie. THEN completely make up a ridiculous romantic pairing.

Worst idea: Ignore the chance to develop backstory and, in fact, cut quite a bit of it out in favor of battle scenes copied from the first movie. THEN completely make up a ridiculous romantic pairing. THEN completely make up a contrived story midway through that screws up the religious content, completely goes against both the character's motivations/personalities *and* their relationships in the book, and adds weird, negative dimensions to the entire damn thing. But will allow you to add MORE battle scenes!

@$!@^!#^!#$@#@#!&%&()&(*)^%!#$@$!@$WTFJesusballs. Seriously.

Also, way to undermine this series' improved portrayal of women.

In the first movie, I was pleased to see lines like "Battles are ugly when women fight" cut/changed, and Susan actually involved in the battles and fighting well.

In the second movie, I was considerably less pleased to see an extra scene written in with Susan falling over like a horror movie bimbo and requiring rescue from the dashing prince. (Did I mention that this relationship is ridiculous?)

Yes, a series already controversial for sexist content really needs some sweepin'-off-the-feet added. Bravo.

So I'm looking forward to Dawn Treader and dreading Last Battle.

Dawn Treader is my favorite, and a much more adaptation-friendly story, what with the decent length and the high seas adventurin' and whatnot, and I really want to see this series pull itself back up to the level of the first movie.

Last Battle, the most important chance to either condemn or redeem Susan as a female character, is probably not going to pick the right option. God damn it.

P.S. EDDIE IZZARD AS REEPICHEEP THE SWASHBUCKLING MOUSE.