ERAGON Review

Published by The Sunday Times of Malta, 17th December 2006

Film Critic: Eric German

Film of the Week 

BREATHING NEW FIRE INTO A DRAGON FANTASY

ERAGON (KRS/Pg, *** and a half) puts paid to all those nasty rumours about dragon slayers and damsels in distress.

The setting is the land of Alagesia and the time is one where dragons were man’s friend and the elite breed of dragon riders were the country’s heroes.  All that changed with the oppression inflicted by the corrupt king Galbatorix (Jon Malkovich) and his evil wizard, Durza (John Carlyle).

Another change is ushered in when Eragon (Edward Speleers), an orphan farm boy, finds a dragon egg which soon yields a baby dragon that grows into the adult flying and fire-breathing Saphira. 

Aided by the aged but wise former warrior Brom (Jeremy Irons), Eragon becomes a dragon rider and the good fight is on.

Eragon was adapted from the best selling novel written by 15-year-old Christopher Paolini.  I haven’t read the book but the film lacks the sophistication and strong plots of fantasy films based on the work of adult authors. 

On the other hand it has a child-like sense of wonder that few adult authors can conjure up so effectively. 

That sense of wonder begins when the egg cracks open and the baby dragon takes her first wobbly steps.  Director Stefen Fangmeier sustains that sense throughout the film, making it a superior boy’s fantasy come to life on screen. 

This is Fangmeier’s debut.  Before he was a visual effects supervisor and his expertise shows because the perfectly rendered visual effects are woven seamlessly with the live action 

And he takes CG special effects to a higher level because Saphira’s facial imagery conveys thoughts and feelings.  Her movements, which frequently involve high speed ‘stunts,’ are executed in a perfectly smooth way.

She communicates telepathically with Eragon and Rachel Weisz has done a superb job in creating Saphira’s vocal characterisation.

The casting has its pros and cons.  Ed Speleers has the right looks and the right build for the role but, apart from the scenes he shares with Saphira, he’s no actor. 

Brief but expressive

Jeremy Irons puts a lot of meat on the bare bones of the dialogue but when you see an actor of that calibre delivering lines which are basically a crash course in dragon riding it creates a conflict. 

Had the film been a bit darker, it would have engaged my interest on more than a visual level.  As it is, the mythology seldom springs to life. 

Fortunately, Sienna Guillory’s performance as the captive warrior Arya gives the film what mythology and mystery it has.  Her role is very brief but she’s so expressive that I could almost feel the anxiety and fear that Arya was going through.

The climax is the big and very spectacular battle on the ground and the mid-air struggle as Eragon and Saphira try to overcome the sorcerer’s power.

Although its appeal is primarily for children and younger teens, Eragon is a thrilling fantasy adventure and a visual effects extravaganza made with skill and taste. 

  mediterranean- film- studios- malta- film- commission- gladiator-  shoot- shot- malta- film- commission- malta- film- commission- location- filming- locations- production- manager- producer- mediterranean- film- studios- producers- stage- stages- facilities- spielberg-    film- malta- studio- commission- water- troy- munich- latina, mediterranean film studios, malta-film commission, gladiator-  shoot- shot- malta- film- commission- malta- film- commission- location- filming- locations- production- manager- producer, mediterranean film studios- malta film commission- film- malta- studio- commission- water- troy- munich- latina- mediterranean- film- studios, malta film commission, gladiator-  shoot- shot, malta film commission, malta- film- commission- location- filming- locations- production- manager- producer- mediterranean- film- studios- producers- stage- stages- facilities- spielberg-  film- malta- studio- commission- water- troy- munich- latina- mediterranean- film- studios- malta- film- commission- gladiator-  shoot- shot- malta- film- commission- malta- film- commission- location- filming- locations- production- manager- producer- mediterranean- film- studios- producers- stage- stages- facilities- spielberg-    film- malta- studio- commission- water- troy- munich- latina, mediterranean film studios, malta-film commission, gladiator-  shoot- shot- malta- film- commission- malta- film- commission- location- filming- locations- production- manager- producermpany-