ERAGON

I don't think of myself as a fan of fantasy films, yet I did see Peter Jacksons' three-part "Lord of the Rings" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" (never read the LOTR books, but read all of "Narnia.") I also saw the first Harry Potter film and now wait for them to show up on TV, having never read Rowling's ouvre, to date (six boks?). Yet when I saw the trailer on TV for "Eragon," which is based on the first volume of Christopher Paolini's "Eragon" books, I wanted to see the film. Then I found out that Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich ("Being John Malkovitch"), and Robert Carlyle ("Trainspotting") were in it, so I went.

The visuals are stunning as are the CGI effects. As expected, the story concerns a young boy (Ed Speleers) who has been "chosen;" a legend having to do with Dragon Riders, an evil King (Malkovitch, of course); the King's evil magician crony (Carlyle), a beautiful damsel (Sienna Guillory), and best of all, a Dragon (CGI created).

The damsel has been the minder of a mysterious, bright turquoise oval shaped object for a long time until King Galbatorix demands she hand it over. When she's attacked by his minions,, she telekinetically sends it away and it lands at Eragon's (the young boy) feet. He lives with his older brother and uncle ins a small village, and are basically farmers. Word gets around that the King is rounding up all young men for his army who are going around searching for this oval turquoise object. If you don't get with the program you die. So, Eragon's older brother packs up and splits. Eragon doesn't want to leave his Uncle. When he taps the strange turquoise object, it rings like iron. But soon, a baby dragon hatches from it, to Eragon's (and my) utter amazement and delight. He tries to pick up the creature and it burns into his hand a coiled dragon figure, marking him for life. Soon baby dragon learns to fly. It takes off and Eragon thinks it's gone forever, but in no time, it returns as a fully grown, gigantic dragon with the wingspan of an air bus. In a soft voice like that of a female medical facility receptionist or therapist, she telepathically tells Eragon her name, Saphira.

The gist of the story is, is that this old, sortof town bum, Brom (Jeremy Irons), knows the legend of dragon riders (he's the last living rider and has the mark to prove it). He works with Eragon and Saphira in communicating telepathically as they team up with rebel soldiers who are against the evil king. The visuals of Eragon riding the dragon are equal to any "Star Wars" film though Eragon probably had a third of the budget. Director Stefen Fangmeier is the special-effects supervisor at Industrial Light and Magic. The effects are limited because the film hinges on human and beast relationships working together to overcome evil. One thing that disturbs me in these fantasy films is that the armies of evil-doers on the side of the bad king, are always portrayed as big dark-skinned men, usually bald, but if they do have hair, it's messed up, and they all have gaping large-lipped mouths full of bad-teeth. What kind of message does this send to impressionable, young psyches? I'd like to see a fantasy film where all the bad guys are white, for a change.

The ubiquitous actor, Djimon Hounsou, reprises yet another stoic, strong character, only this time he doesn't have to overcome adversity as he's had to in other films ("The Gladiator," "Blood Diamond," and "Amistad"). He's the token black good guy, the good king, with a comely daughter (natch). Hounsou wears a braided wig, set back from his massive round forehead. In fighting alongside Hounsou's men, Eragon meets a dark-haired doppleganger whom he mistrusts at first. A fine thing about "Eragon" is that it shows the heroes' weaknesses, even Saphira knows her limitations concerning how much weight she can carry.

The film doesn't wrap up tidily, so you kmow there will be a sequel. Let's hope it's as thoughtful and as visually stunning. With Stefen Fangmeier on board, it can't miss.