Though I think this film is far from terrible, it certainly isn't great. The main fault of this film, an adaptation of Christopher Paolini's equally clichéd fantasy novel, lies in the casting of a very weak lead in the form of Edward Speelers, who is completely devoid of the charisma required for such a character. Jeremy Irons brings his usual conviction to the role of Brom, the wizened dragon-rider, and the luscious Sienna Guillory is gorgeous as the Elf Arya.
But when it all comes down to it, this film seems like a smattering of ideas culled from better films (Star Wars, Dragonheart, Lord of the Rings, etc). The effects bringing the dragon alive are uniformly fine, and the photography is impressive, but these are all for naught as they are stuck in a film that gives us no one to root for or care about. Patrick Doyle's music score is quite nice though.
But when it all comes down to it, this film seems like a smattering of ideas culled from better films (Star Wars, Dragonheart, Lord of the Rings, etc). The effects bringing the dragon alive are uniformly fine, and the photography is impressive, but these are all for naught as they are stuck in a film that gives us no one to root for or care about. Patrick Doyle's music score is quite nice though.