Set in a fantastical realm where dragons exists, Eragon is based
on the first novel in the popular Inheritance trilogy (which I have not read),
by Christopher Paolini, who was only fifteen when the first book was published.
Eragon (well played by newcomer Edward Speleers) is a young farm boy in the
heroic, Luke Skywalker mode who comes across a dragon’s egg while out hunting
one day. When the egg hatches, Eragon keeps the dragon, and raises it until it
turns into Rachel Weitz--actually, it becomes a fully grown dragon with the
ability to communicate via ESP with Eragon, speaking in the sultry voice of
Weitz (The Mummy, Constantine). By bonding with Eragon in this manner, an
ancient prophecy has been fulfilled, one that will see young Eragon become a
dragon rider, and thus bringing back the golden age of the dragon riders, who
kept the peace and harmony throughout the kingdom and beyond.
But the dragon riders had been destroyed by the evil King Galbatorix (John
Malkovitch, who preens mightily), who himself was once one of them, and who
rules the kingdom with an iron hand and black magic supplied by Durza, his
wizard. They’re on the hunt for anybody who may try to revive the dragon riders,
and it’s not too long before they set their sights on Eragon. It sounds
familiar, doesn’t it? Not only does Eragon uses the same themes found in The
Lord Of The Rings, but also Star Wars. The vanquished dragon riders could also
be the fabled Jedi Knights who were struck down in an act of betrayal by the
Emperor, which haughty King Galbatrorix certainly resembles.
And if Galbatorix is the evil Emperor of Eragon, then Robert Carlyle’s Durza is
the film’s Darth Vader, the lieutenant who does the dirty work, and enjoys it.
Jeremy Irons appears in his second fantasy film (after the horrendous Dungeons &
Dragons) and while he has a far better part this time out, it’s still basically
that of the wise old mentor in the Obi-Wan Kenobi mode. Eragon isn’t a terrible
movie; the acting very well done, the special effects are impressive, and the
pacing moves forward at a brisk pace. But the problem is that it’s very
derivative of fantasy stories both filmed and written from the last 50 years,
including the Lord Of The Rings, which it obviously so desperately wants to be.
Younger children may enjoy it, but if you’ve seen The Lord Of The Rings and Star
Wars, then you’ve already seen this heroic epic before.
--SF
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