This review might contain spoilers. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Merry Christmas. Heck, it probably will have some spoilers.
Before I go further, let me inform you that I have never read the Christopher Paolini novel this film was based on. However, I do want to read it now. That said, let us go on with the film review.
I enjoyed Eragon. I found it exciting, with beautiful photography and cinematography. The sights of the valleys and mountains, the raging rivers and gentle streams did much to enamor me of the beauty of the film. But I also enjoyed this film the first time I saw it over 30 years ago under the title Star Wars. Yes, I know, I know. It is supposed to be a blatant "homage" to The Lord of the Rings. But I still say Star Wars, the one with Luke Skywalker first meeting Ben Kenobi.
I mean, here we have a young man who lives with his uncle, and his closest friend (his cousin) is running away to stay away from the Empire Army recruiters. Our hero discovers something amazing, which leads to his family being killed by the evil Empire and he goes on the run with the older man who is going to teach him how to use his newfound powers.
There was even a suspenseful rescue of a beautiful woman from a dark fortress. I swear, at one point I expected the older teacher to say to some soldiers, "This is not your Dragon. This is not the Dragon you seek."
Don't misunderstand; the movie was fun and the special effects were excellent. Sure, the writing is a little ham-bone, but you expect something like that in a movie like this. You don't go to a movie like Eragon expecting William Bloody Shakespeare, so a bit of errant over-acting is expected.
The young man who played the lead character is a newcomer from what I understand, and his inexperience is easy to see. But what is also easy to see is the latent ability that Ed Speleers has. The kid has a future, if he chooses the right roles and finds the right mix in himself.
The character Brom (Jeremy Irons) plays like a cross between Kenobi and Han Solo, with a combination swaggering walk and buried wisdom that a mentor in a film like this should have. He even has a sword called a "Dragon Killer" — apparently it is the only thing that can kill a dragon. But he was fun.
The evil sorcerer warrior Durza (Robert Carlyle) was just about perfect. He was borderline cartoonish, but he certainly relished the anguish he was inflicting on his victims. But John Malkovich as the Evil Emperor, King Galbatorix, has to take the cake. With such evil lines as, "As long as I am King, disloyalty will be punishable by death," you know he is going to be a blast at parties.
Article comments
1 - David Mackey
Larry - Bit off topic, but I noticed that you are a Christian and that you like horror movies. Wondering if you have seen The Hangman's Curse or The Visitation - both made by Namesake Entertainment and both based on Frank Peretti novels, or if you were aware that Namesake is working on making Ted Dekker's Thr3e into a movie as well as the joint project of Peretti and Dekker - House and that Thr3e and House will include in the cast Bill Moseley of Devil's Rejects fame.
2 - Annanomous
I saw the movie and read the book and I found that the book was much better than the movie. I went to the movie with high expectations because the book was very good. I set myself up for a huge disapiontment. The movie left out major plots and changed other parts of the book that didn't need changing. There is no possible way there will be a sequal to this movie. The movie hardly resembled the book in any ways. On a scale of 1-10 I give the BOOK a 9 but on the same scale I give the movie a very low 3.
3 - larry stanley
Hi David: No, I had not heard about these films. Can you get me more information? Peretti is a good author in my opinion, able to make a good point without making the reader feel 'talked down to' if you know what I mean. Feel free to contact me directly if you have too.
Now to the important stuff, how did you like my review? lol
Larry Stanley
4 - larry stanley
To Annanomous: Really sorry you had such a bad experience with the film. I have had several people tell me the same thing, in fact my best friend took a group of ten-year olds to see it on Saturday and spent the rest of the evening listening to them rip the film apart.
That is sad.
Anyway, take heart. Ghost Rider opens in a couple of months, then Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer, Spider-Man 3, and in 2008 Batman 2 (with the Joker), Iron Man and with a lot of luck the sequel to Narnia and Superman.
Life is still good.
Larry Stanley
5 - Steve
I feel sorry for the original author. I've read several reviews that blame his writing for a film that barely resembles the book.
6 - Logan
Dear Larry,
I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. you are the only one I know who liked it. You were right about the landscapes and rivers. They were really beautiful. But as a sceptic, pain-in-the-butt person I am about movies, I thought Eragon didn't do very well. I didn't care for the cast, script, and I hated the fact the movie was so short.
But you're right about the whole thing where a movie about a simple adventure story doesn't need a great script, but as a movie, I felt that the dialouge didn't safice.
The special effects were well done however. the dragon looked great.
Hopefully the sequel will satisfy us both, until then, keep on watching!