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BY MAGGIE SCOTT

Swords, sandals, centaurs and saviors (sacred or secular, depending on your preference) take to the screen in “Prince Caspian,” the second installment of C.S. Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia.”

It’s been a year since the Pevensie children stepped through a wardrobe portal to experience wonder and face peril as they helped free Narnia from the icy dominance of the wicked White Witch. Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) are anxious to return to a land where they are kings and queens, but fear they are stuck in war-time London, where they are merely school children.

But, even as they debate about whether Aslan will ever summon them, again, they are suddenly transported from a busy station in London’s “tube” to the ocean-washed shores of Narnia. Meanwhile, there is trouble brewing in the court of the Telmarines, the oppressive rulers of Narnia.

The Council is close to disarray after the death of their king, the brother of Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). He convinces the Council that the Narnians are “breeding like cockroaches, waiting to strike” and that he is their best defence. With a newborn son, Miraz is only thinking of keeping power in his own family. That puts the life of Caspian (Ben Barnes), the rightful heir to the throne, in dire jeopardy. Fleeing into the forest, whose once sentient trees are now immobilized, Caspian is recognized by a badger with the power of speech as the one foretold “to serve us.”

According to prophecy, with a “son of Adam on the throne, there will be peace.” Joined by the children, now wearing their royal vestments and bearing their weapons; a fierce warrior mouse (voice of Eddie Izzard); and a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) with a bad attitude, Caspian fights off pursuing soldiers. They begin to hope that he can find justice for the murder of his father and a way to restore the kingdom to the Narnians.

At first there is disagreement about the plan of action. Peter wants to attack the castle; Caspian disagrees, and Lucy wants them to wait for Aslan. She is sure she has seen and spoken with him in the forest. But, was it a dream? Peter puts it to them that “we’re to prove ourselves to him.” The challenge is fearsome. Regiment after regiment marches on the Narnians’ fortress after their attack on the castle is repulsed. Then Edmund proposes a “fight to the death” between Peter and Miraz. While the outcome will not suspend hostilities, it will test both Caspian’s and Peter’s capacity for mercy. The fighting rages on, with the Narnians fighting and falling back, fighting and falling back. And still, no sign of Aslan. It’s up to Lucy and her unshakeable faith in Aslan to save the day.

With its emphasis on battles, this sequel pretty much bludgeons any sense of enchantment; while at the same time eliciting fiercely courageous and admirable strength from the young men and ladies now irrevocably heroes.

A Walt Disney Pictures release, rated PG for violence.
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