Netflix #56 – Dragonslayer – Suggested by Adam, Dustin, Juliet, GoKitty
Sometimes the most simple stories are the most interesting and I say that’s certainly the case with Dragonslayer. What I loved about it was that it was so simple, and yet able to keep me guessing the entire time. The movie is exactly what it sounds like: someone trying to slay a dragon.
There aren’t an overabundance of characters or a series of intertwining storylines that make your head spin. It’s just about one boy’s quest to kill a dragon that’s been terrorizing a local village. But there’s just enough intrigue and twists to keep the simple story interesting. It manages to touch upon some major archetypes like the hero, the wise old man, the damsel in distress, but it never falls into cliché. For example, when they’re having a lottery to see which young virgin (naturally) they’re going to sacrifice to the dragon, you think it’s obviously going to be the main character’s love interest, because seriously, who else could it be? But no! It’s someone else, and a welcome surprise because it totally fits with the story they’re telling.
I’d also like to note that when the DVD was loading, it said the film was rated PG, but man oh man was it gruesome! Particularly when a certain someone was getting their foot chewed off! But this film was made before the days of PG-13, so that explains it. The special effects were also very well done for the time. The full-size model was a bit hokey at times (like when the giant dragon claw comes in from off screen) but the miniature stop-motion work was fantastic, particularly the battle in the dragon’s lair. Plus the main character is played by that guy who you’ve seen everywhere but can’t name, but most importantly he was the camp counselor with Christine Baranski at Camp Chippewa (Native American for “orphan”) from Addam’s Family Values. All in all, it was a fun 80′s fantasy flick that I highly recommend if you haven’t seen it!
For me he’ll always be the guy from Ghostbusters 2. I don’t think I’ve seen that one though, can’t remember it anyway. I’ll keep an eye out for it if its on TV up here.
To me, he’ll always be John Cage from Ally McBeal. I didn’t even know he was in Dragonslayer. Of course, since I’ve never seen it, that might have something to do with that…
I want to watch it now though!
I’m with Dave, he is always going to be John Cage from Ally McBeal.
Dragonslayer was a fun movie. I loved the collecting of scales to make a shield and the lottery.
I’m with Tam, that scene in GB2 when he ‘turns on’ his eyes is super creepy. That’s about the only thing I remember from that mess, oh and Sigourney Weaver was not allowed to be sexy anymore, after all she was a MOM in that movie, groan. Never saw the movie or Ally McBeal.
Now this movie was an oldie but a goodie, I remember seeing this in the theater.
OK, you will have to excuse me now, Grandpa Fartdust must go take his mid-morning nap!
Bernd: I’ve never seen Ally McBeal either. Maybe because it was halfway through when we moved back. Not sure but it never appealed to me. I keep expecting “that guy” to start talking with that horrible accent from GB2 any time I watch Numb3rs.
What, no one watched Chicago Hope?
The dragon in that movie was one of the coolest dragons because it really looked like what I would imagine a dragon to look and sound like. The Hungarian Horntail from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is still my favorite though.
Peter McNichol (that guy) will always be “the Boy Who Left Home to Find the Shivers” to me. That was an episode from a great series called Faery Tale Theater. It had lots of stars (Robin Williams was a hilarious Frog Prince) in versions that were closer to the original Grimms’.
Heather: No.
Michelle: The Hungarian Horntail is a personal fave of mine too. I always thought Charlie had the coolest job. Dragon Keeper? Too perfect, except for the having to live in Romania part.
I saw this movie in the theater as a kid with my dad and sis, and boy, that scene with the foot really grossed me out! But it’s a very good flick, glad you enjoyed it.
Tam, I guess a dragon is small fry after taking care of a teenager? Maybe those stunning spells work on teenagers too?
Bernd: Hmmmm. Sometimes it feels like she’s perpetually under a stunning spell. Oh wait, that’s a stunned spell.
(I’m so mean.) At least she doesn’t breath fire. I’ve got issues with the school this week so there is always some level of drama in your life with a teen that likely wouldn’d be there with a dragon.
Woo Hoo! I love this movie; Dragonslayer, Krull, and Legend are my top three favorite classic fantasy movies, and of the three Dragonslayer has the most coherent storyline. Good on ya, Craig!
I forgot all about Krull! The seer in the spider web, the cyclops, I’ll have to see if I can find that tonight.
John: I really liked the concept behind why the cyclops had only one eye, and how can you not love Ergo the dorktastic wizard?
M. Nicodemus: I liked that as well, I thought that was an excellent explanation of their monocular condition.
I remember watching Dragonslayer on HBO with my brother. Old. We thought we were getting away with something because there was a flash of nudity in the movie. Tee hee.
Paul: Grandpa Fartdust! Love it!