Go see “Eragon?” If you’re 8 to 13!

This is kind of a “fun romp” movie. Most people looked satisfied walking out of the theater. “Lord of the Rings” set the bar so high for fantasy I doubt anything will feel great for a few more years. This has a few good starts in it to get your heart going but it lacks grittiness.

Other people may love this film, but two big things make me iffy about it. First, the dragon (Rachel Weis) was kinda like a prepubescent, tomboy-best-friend. Then she’s also kinda like a mom to the hero. It’s just not a real good character for me. (No, I’m not just picking on Rachel Weis—although she disserves it.)

Second, the sword play in the final battle is a let down. There’s one early scene when Jeremy Irons fights an evil creature that is pretty sweet. In the final battle magic and dragons shorten good honest fighting.

Larger Story

On the good side it’s a story about growing up and being initiated. On the down side it’s based on a book written by a 13 year old. From the plot, etc. he must be a prodigy, but he still lacks perspective on life’s events and it comes through in the movie. It succeeds in communicating what a teen would feel like when destiny thrusts the weight of the world on his shoulders, but the ending seem incongruous. He adjusts to it a little too easily.

There is a strange interplay between the movies hero and the female characters, including his dragon. I can’t put my finger on it. I feel like the character didn’t learn to be a man he just learned to act like one. It sends the wrong message. Not an evil message it just falls short.