AmateurMovieReviews.com

By Christina VanGinkel

Christmas day seemed like the perfect time to go and see the movie Eragon at the local theater. I had read several reviews of the movie, actually something I try not to do when I have already read the accompanying book and decided that I want to see a movie, regardless of what others are saying about it. I will ask family and friends their opinions though, and was surprised at the mixed reviews I was hearing and reading.

Some liked the movie, while others thought it was humdrum at best. Written reviews seemed to rip it apart, comparing it to some of my favorite movies (Lord of the Rings trilogy) but in a negative way. I figured the only way I would ever know the truth would be if I went and saw the movie myself.

To get right to the point, I liked the show. I realize that this is just the opposite of the majority of the reviews out there, but I did. I have two issues with the movie though. My one criticism was I wish they had done something different when filming the character Durza. His parts seemed cheaper in some way than the rest of the film. Keep this in mind if you choose to go and see the film. The dragon, Saphira, is stunning, yet Durza just seems a bit fake. My second criticism is that those who read the book will wonder what the heck. The book and the movie are quite different. Unlike the Lord's of the Ring trilogy, where the makers of the movies held fast to the storylines of the books, this movie is not even close. Still, it was an enjoyable movie, as far as fantasy flicks go.

Eragon, the movie, is a fantasy that portrays the story of Eragon, a farm boy. It begins outside of his village where he has gone deer hunting to bring meat back to his family, which includes his uncle and cousin. So poor are they, that shopping at the butcher in the village is not an option. Game is scarce, so Eragon heads deeper into the forest than most are willing to travel. Unbeknownst to him though, is the fact that somewhere in the distance, an event that is about to alter the course of his life is unfolding.

Young Arya rides through the forest with two guards. She is carrying what is to many, their last chance at a future not ruled by evil King Galbatorix. It appears to be a vividly colored blue stone. What she and the others know though, is that it is a dragon egg. She is but one of many who have been passing the egg to others in hopes that it will find its rider. Dragon eggs will only hatch when they find the one person who is meant to be theirs. As she and her guards are attacked, she casts the egg with magic, into the distance, in hopes that it will at least not land in the hands of Durza and King Galbatorix. As Eragon takes a shot at a doe, the woods erupt in a flash, and his arrow finds a mark on a tree, strangely, it is now flaming. It had passed through the same spot where the burst of light came from, where the blue egg now lies. Eragon approaches it with caution, and assumes it is but a stone.

The doe is gone though, scared by the flash of light, so Eragon timidly picks up the stone, hoping to at least be able to trade it for some meat. When he gets to the butcher shop, the butcher is at first willing to make a trade, until he hears where the stone came from. Defeated, Eragon heads for home. He encounters Brom before leaving the village though. Brom is an elusive man, willing to argue with the King's men, when others shudder in fear. Eragon is not sure what to make of him though, so he heads home.

Back at the farm that he shares with his uncle and cousin, Eragon comes to realize that the stone is not what it appears. When it cracks open, a blast is sent throughout the land, and those who know what it is, realize that a new dragon has hatched. Saphira has chosen Eragon to be her rider. She grows quickly, and though not yet old enough to blow fire, is soon ready to fly.

Eager for answers, Eragon goes back into town to talk to Brom, the one person he feels may have answers, and ends up overseeing something terrible at the butchers. He also hears the butcher tell the evil beings that he, Eragon, had the egg, and where he lives. As he realizes that, he must hurry back to the farm, Saphira comes to help, though neither has yet flown together. Back at the farm, it is too late. Eragon's uncle is dead. Eragon blames Saphira, but quickly realizes that she is not at fault. Brom comes to their aid, and together, the three of them set off on a journey that will either be the death of them all or help them reach the far off land that holds both the answers to their destinations, and more troubles than any of them had ever thought possible.

Without giving away the end of this movie, I will tell you that it's ending leaves viewers with the knowledge that more awaits those wanting to know what happens next to Saphira and Eragon.