''The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'' - More is more in this follow-up to the 2005 fantasy hit ''The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.'' It's simultaneously darker and funnier, more substantive and more engaging, more violent and more technically accomplished. You can't really call it a sequel because it's an adaptation of the second book in C.S. Lewis' series, but seeing its predecessor is a must to understand what's going on - and it'll make you appreciate how much better this movie is.

It's been a year since the Pevensie children (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) left Narnia and returned to school during World War II-era London. But 1,300 years have passed in the magical land where they once served as kings and queens. They're accidentally summoned back there by Prince Caspian (British stage actor Ben Barnes), whose life is threatened by his power-hungry uncle, Lord Miraz (Sergio Castellitto).

The kids must band together with Caspian and the chatty, furry creatures of Narnia to fight Miraz and his massive army and restore the throne to its rightful heir. Sound like a fun adventure for the whole family? It's not - this ''Narnia'' is strictly for tweens and older with its palace intrigue and protracted battle scenes, and some creatures and action sequences may be too frightening for little ones. Peter Dinklage brings depth and humor to the role of Trumpkin the Red Dwarf, Tilda Swinton makes an all-too brief appearance as the crazy White Witch, and Eddie Izzard steals the show as the voice of Reepicheep, a swashbuckling mouse. PG for epic battle action and violence. 137 min. Three stars out of four.

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Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic

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