Eragon

I have friends who already watched the show, and were most disappointed with it. I didn't think I would share their sentiment, because, well, I have a peculiar taste when it comes to movies, and thought would watch and judge it for myself. I was ready to go into the cinema and identify all the good features of the show, and then use it as evidence to convince them that it is a good film. I was really excited about the movie, as others of its genre, namely LOTR and Dragonheart, has each in its prowess awed me into succumbing to the world of fantasy. This show, Eragon, it seems, is a LOTR meets Dragonheart. What a dream come true. What a fantasy geek I am...

So I stepped into JE theater 6 with fac mate and friend WH...

Yea...after the excitement comes disappointment and then frustration. Disappointment that a chance for a good show to impress the world has lost its chance; frustration because I think I can make better out of the film, why am I not given a chance to do so...that sux.

Ok here comes the complaints one by one.

First the lead actor is kinda green. Not physically of course. His acting needs much to be improved upon. Well I don't entirely blame him for not playing the character well enough, because it was the casting directors who gave him the part. I read that although him being totally new to film acting, the directors thought that his face looked the part of Eragon, and hence he got it. If you ask me, I would think that acting ability is an equally crucial factor as with appearance where casting is concerned.

One will have to agree that a big part of the show lies in the dialogue. The conversation between the characters not only moves the story along, but also creates a personality for each of them. In this show, I would so much blame the scriptwriters for penning such abominations. It was trying to liken the speeches to those found in LOTR, but trying too hard to sound all so serious at the same time, causing it to fall flat on its face and just sound lame. It really was very excruciating listening to their conversations which almost would have been intelligent, only if you do not listen carefully to what's being said.

The editing of the video requires much improvement as well. Otherwise, the storyboard was poorly done prior to filming. Or did the director really just followed what was drawn out in the storyboards? Hmmm... The flow of the story was really choppy and rushed. The whole film lasted only 1hr 40min, which is rather short for a film of its nature. If it may be hypothesized that the production crew wishes to shorten the length of the film (for fear of lulling the audience into thinking they are watching another Peter Jackson production), employing the use of a narrator would help explain things and link the different transitions more smoothly. Just think Cate Blanchett in LOTR. I thought that worked to the advantage of the movie. Of course, the script for the narrator must be cleverly written as well, otherwise it would again slap itself on the face.

I love the dragon. Really I do. But it sounding so tame and demure...well, I'm not so sure about that. (Enlighten me on this though, for my perception on this issue can be changed ) When the dragon suddenly grew up by flying through clouds (another shocker) and spoke to Eragon after landing, I was quite unpleasantly surprised to learn that the dragon is female. I wasn't alone in thinking that as WH turned to me and had exactly the same query. Well, we would have known better if we had paid more attention to the opening credits when it read 'and Rachel Weisz as the voice of Saphira'. Clue number one, and a really big one, is Rachel Weisz as the voice over. Second clue, the name Saphira, sounds feminine. But forgive us, really, on not thinking the name might be for a female dragon as the naming of dragons is something we are totally unfamiliar with. Had we better acquainted ourselves with dragons this ignorant outbreak might have been prevented.

Alright, to justify why I think that way, I suppose it's because the dragon is a huge and fearsome creature that growls and snarls and spits fire. It sounding genial at one time and then snarling at the other instance just doesn't sit well with me. On the part about it being female: I was thinking of Draco from Dragonheart when I was watching this film. The voice of Sean Connery worked out well for the part of Draco, and I was kind of hoping the same formula be applied to this show. Apparently it wasn't and I was, as a result, surprised...unpleasantly.

What scares most is knowing Eragon is a trilogy. I seriously doubt it will gather enough supporters for part 2 and 3. I know I won't be watching the rest of the instalments after such a disappointing start. I will just let the others watch it first, and tell me if there are any improvements, if any of my friends are even going to watch it that is...