I watched the DVD with great anticipation as well as a wistful feeling of nostalgia. I assembled a crew of fellow fantasy fans: my niece and nephew, Darwin and Zak, and my son Joe. Darwin and Zak had already read most of the Dragonlance books that I own. Joe was new to the world of the lance, but is enough of a fantasy fan to appreciate this exciting world of heroes, knights and dragons. Our reaction to the film was mixed, but the overall feeling that this was a good effort on the part of the filmmakers prevailed.
There was a lot of ground to cover in this first installment of the Dragonlance saga. The heroes reunite at the Inn of the Last Home after five years searching for signs of the true gods. The companions consist of Tanis, a half-elf; Flint Fireforge, a gruff dwarf; Tasslehoff Burrfoot, a curious and delightfully optimistic kender; Sturm Brightblade, a solemn knight of Solamnia; and the twins Caramon and Raistlin Majere, a warrior and a mage, as different in temperament and appearance as night and day. Conspicuously missing from the group is Kitiara, the twins’ half-sister, who sends a note telling them that her new lord and duties have detained her.
While at the inn, they meet Tika Waylan, a voluptuous barmaid with whom Caramon falls instantly in love; Fizban, a befuddled old storyteller who appears to know more about the companions than is comfortable, and Goldmoon and Riverwind, travelers from the plains of Abanasinia. There are of course, assorted bad guys in the shape of hobgoblins and draconians. It is at the inn that Fizban connives to set things in motion where trouble ensues and the companions are forced to hit the road, carrying a magical and mysterious blue crystal staff with them.
We all thought the movie was enjoyable, fast-paced, and filled with enough action to keep viewers interested. Darwin was most impressed that the movie captured the spirit of the original story. She said that watching the movie was like walking through the book alongside the heroes. She thought that the story was well developed with the feelings and reactions of the characters similar to those in the books.
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