Eragon: A Review
This fun dragon movie features John Malkovich and Jeremy Irons.
Eragon is a film about an adopted farm boy named Eragon who finds a dragon egg that changes his life. The egg hatches out a cute baby dragon named Saphira, who undergoes a mysterious transformation that ages her to maturity in the span of a few minutes. This suddenly grown dragon instructs Eragon psychically on the finer skills of being a Dragon Rider, a lost and almost dead breed in the land of Alagaesia.
Dragon Riders used to be the protectors and defenders of the common folk in Alagaesia, which is now ruled by the despotic King Galbatorix. (Played with great evil fun by John Malkovich.) His evil partner and henchman is a Shade or magician named Durza, played by Robert Carlyle. This dastardly duo summons an army to chase Eragon, the last Dragon Rider, and Saphira.
Perhaps the indirect star of this film is a crusty old dragon rider named Brom and played by Jeremy Irons. Brom helps Eragon understand his new role of dragon rider and savior of his people. Brom is an outsider, as is Eragon, whose mother left him with a relative shortly after his birth. Saphira is also an outsider, as she is one of the last remaining dragons. This team of misfits works together to battle the tyranny of King Galbatorix.
Eragon is great for kids for a couple of reasons. First, the movie features a teenage boy who cares more about his people and homeland than he does about himself. Eragon triumphs in this movie by rising from ordinary farm boy to extraordinary hero. Also, the movie may encourage your 8-to-13-year-old to read the book, a thick tome written by Christopher Paolini, who was also only 16 when he wrote this New York Times bestseller. The book offers more back story and a richer tapestry of the adventures of Eragon.
With stunning graphics, a convincing dragon, and a great cast, Eragon is fun for the whole family. The dragon riding scenes are particularly convincing and even serve to make the moviegoer's stomach turn a bit with their fierce fastness and maneuvering. The end of the movie offers up endless possibilities for the adventures to continue.
Faced with the challenge of being the only fully animated character in the whole movie, the voice of Saphira is played warmly and convincingly by Rachel Weisz. The title role Eragon is played by a very earnest and handsome Edward Speleers.
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