The second book of CS Lewis's epic fantasy series features a titanic battle between the gentle Narnians and race of human usurpers called the Telmarines.

In every respect, Prince Caspian is a bigger and more ambitious adventure, introducing colourful new characters from the enchanted realm amid breathtaking battle sequences laden with computer-generated special effects.

The similarities to The Lord Of The Rings trilogy are even more obvious - both series are filmed on the North and South Island of New Zealand - including a showdown that strongly resembles JRR Tolkien's siege at Helm's Deep.

Director and co-writer Andrew Adamson draws heavily on earlier successes - Shrek and its sequel - to populate this rollicking romp with a menagerie of comical, larger than life creatures who are bound to delight younger audiences.

In particular, a dapper sword-wielding mouse called Reepicheep (amusingly voiced by Eddie Izzard) is a mere cut and parry away from the cute Puss In Boots. Like the first film, the majestic lion Aslan (Neeson) is the 'mane attraction' of an action-packed second half.

Prince Caspian begins at a canter, with the titular heir to the Telmarine throne (Barnes) fleeing his ancestral home on horseback in the dead of night to escape an assassination attempt orchestrated by despicable uncle Miraz (Castellitto).

The four Pevensie children - Peter (Moseley), Susan (Popplewell), Edmund (Keynes) and Lucy (Hensley) - are summoned back to the magical kingdom from Second World War London and quickly become embroiled in the battle to overthrow the despot.

The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian trumps its predecessor for thrills and intrigue, although it does lack a strong, boo-hiss villain like Tilda Swinton's White Witch.

Moseley, Popplewell, Keynes and Hensley snuggle back into their familiar roles, with hints of a romantic subplot for Lucy and Caspian, which can never come to fruition because as Lucy ruefully explains, "I am 1,300 years older than you."

Dashing newcomer Barnes is an attractive addition to the forces of good, despite a shaky accent to align himself with his mostly Spanish-speaking Telmarine co-stars.

Pacing rarely slackens so 144 minutes pass without any need to watch the clock, building to a rousing finale, although this relies too heavily on the power of the visual effects teams' hard drives rather than characters' emotions.

Meanwhile, keep a tissue to hand for tearful farewells that set the scene for The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader in summer 2010.

Family/Action/Drama/Comedy/Romance. William Moseley, Anna Popplewel l, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Hensley, Ben Barnes, Sergio Castellitto, Peter Dinklage, and the voices of Eddie Izzard, Liam Neeson. Director: Andrew Adamson