A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Eragon

Date Viewed: 12/25/06

Details:

Edward Speleers

Jeremy Irons

Sienna Guillory

Robert Carlyle

John Malkovich

Djimon Hounsou

Voice talent: Rachel Weisz (Saphira)

Director: Stefen Fangmeier

Cinematography: Hugh Johnson

Score: 1/2

The Review: Yet another pairing between telepathic dragon and rider. Yet another fairy tale conflict, with the too-young lad growing up with the help of a mentor, rescuing a lass, and confronting evil. One of the few atypical things about this scenario is that the original novel's author was in his teens when he wrote and published it. Although the text never interested me in print, the movie turned out to be surprisingly watchable.

The evil is over-played by Malkovich (just being John Malkovich, apparently) and his henchman (Carlyle). The good is underplayed by the farm boy Eragon (Speleers), his mentor (Irons) and the elfin-like thief and subsequent guard for the last known dragon's egg (Guillory: an odd cross between overly sharp facial features and some of Liv Tyler's look). Decent special effects, with the dragon Saphira quite wonderfully rendered and very realistic. And I can't say that I'd object to Rachel Weisz's voice inside my head. Among the equestrian stars, I'm told, is a very attractive Paso Fino, (a four-gaited horse related to the Spanish Andalusians), ridden by Eragon's mentor Brom.

This rises above standard fantasy fare only insofar as the cinematography does so -- and it is at times stunning, in large part because of the absolutely spectacular landscape scenery. Some is from the British Columbia side of the Canadian Rockies, and some from Hungary's national park Örség.

(25-Dec-06)

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