DragonHeart (1996)

Only just watching this thing now. How this abomination got made was surely just on Connery's voice and involvement alone. Dennis Quaid, whom I think is usually terrific in his films is miscast, as is Julie Christie. The effects are pretty good but overall this film stinks on ice! I usually love fantasy but this is tedious and strictly a kiddies film.

I saw this movie in 1997 on TV,very compelling fantasy story but the special effects of first generation of graphic computer brings an update somewhat out of time,on Dragonlayer didn't have any graphic computer and the movie is most convincing Dragon...of course the new movies has used this new way and lose quality and credibility,it's happened with Dragonheart...although the movie is enjoyable!!! Resume:First watch: 1997 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.5

Disclaimer: I saw this movie in theaters when I was 6 or 7 and cried my eyes out there. It was the very first movie that I got home and tearfully, hauntingly asked my parents why it had to happen that way. Why did the good dragon have to die? I don't remember what they had to say, but at 25 I still spill whiskey soul tears when I watch this movie to the end. The clear-cut morality of it, the good and bad and how it gets complicated. It's just painful in real and in the best/worst way. I'm quite sure I'll expose my someday kids to this movie, especially because the special effects and Connery's moral, good voice will live up to it. I only wish I live up to the Old Code every day at my hard job and teach my kids to do the same.

Dragonheart (1996): Dir: Rob Cohen / Cast: Dennis Quaid, David Thewlis, Dina Meyers, Pete Postlethwaite / Voices: Sean Connery: Energetic fantasy about importance of sacrifice, friendship and love. Dennis Quaid plays a knight who is assigned to protect the young King but when injured in battle the King is taken to a wise dragon who donates a heart in return that the King rule wisely. The King becomes greedy and Quaid blames the heart and vows to slay every dragon he can, with the obvious one remaining. What are the odds of that? Eventually they form a plan where Quaid hunts Draco repeatedly for money before they attempt to dethrone the King. Story is repetitious with a ridiculous climax but the visual effects bring out that young at heart feeling. The dragon is a triumphant visual wonder voiced by Sean Connery who brings personality and purpose to the dragon's sense of worth. Director Rob Cohen has fun with the fantasy elements. Quaid survives as a knight who wishes to repair a wrong, but much of the acting is bad. David Thewlis as the tyrant King is straight forward and too juvenile. Dina Meyers is the obvious potential love interest and otherwise useless. The visual effects are the payoff and unfortunately it isn't enough. An attempt to recapture fantasy will appeal to that audience while others will find that it breathes more fumes than fire. Score: 4 ½ / 10