Customer Reviews

Dragonheart (Widescreen Edition) [VHS]

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I guess it helps if you place the review under the right movie. Somehow I posted this review under the other Dragonheart Movie, A New Beginning.

Dragonheart is one of my favorite movies, up there with The Last Unicorn. The music is good, the actors are fantastic, and the storyline actually has some thought to it.

Dennis Quaid is great as Bowen, the knight turned dragon slayer. He looks the part as well as acting thepart of a dragon slayer bound by the old code, who is trying to rid the world of dragons so the evil in his protégé, King Einon, will be defeated.

Sean Connery is great as the voice of Draco. According to the 'making of Dragonheart' feature on the DVD, the director had only Connery in mind for the voice, and spent 13 months trying to get the dragon to have facial and body actions that patterned Connery. I don't know if it's because Connery is so well known, or if it's because he can project life into Draco, but the dragon has a personality, and you can relate to it's sadness and fear throughout the movie.

Pete Postlethwaite is good as the monk/historian/bad poet. He gives a bit of comic relief to the movie,especially in the later fighting scenes. His inability to remember his own poetry is also funny.

Dina Meyer portrays the peasant Kara as a strong young woman who's willing to do almost anything todefeat King Einon and avenge the death of her father.

David Thewlis is an awesome bad guy. He's not a physically powerful man, but his brain makes up for his lack of brawn. Plus, he's creepy, which adds to the bad guy image. His heartlessness as King Einon and the fact he's causing a dragon to lose his soul makes you want to hate him throughout the movie.

The music is absolutely beautiful; Randy Edelman really created some wonderful music. A lot of people who haven't seen the movie might recognize the music, as it was used in the Trailer for Mulan and a few other movies.

I really love this movie, and I'm not sure if it's the music, the cast, or the fact that the story isn't a carbon copy of a lot of the dragon or knight movies out there, but there's something about Dragonheart that makes me watch it from time to time, and enjoy it each time.

If you are interested in this movie, buy the Collector's edition with Dolby Digital instead of this one as this DTS version offer nothing in special features and the sound is not much better than the Dolby Digital Version. And the most annoying part is when you put the disc inside your player, you are given an option to chose between DTS and Dolby Surround but you don't know which one is which as they just shift color when you chose and if you got it wrong, there is no way to get back to the option page, you have to stop the disc and open the drawer and insert the disc again. It is a pain.

The movie itself is excellent about a Dragon who gave half of his heart in order to save a dying prince. The prince turned out to be an evil king and it is up to a knight (Dennis Quaid) and the dragon (voiced by Sean Connery) to save the people. The special effect is great and the acting is good. David Thewlis is very good as the evil king. The picture quality is fine and the DTS sound is good but not much better than the feature loaded Dolby Digital version. Just go ahead skip the DTS version and get the collector's edition. They are the same price.

This is a wonderful tale with the Dragon (Sean Connery) stealing the show. Dennis Quaid is a knight of the Auld Code trying to teach his young prince how to be a true warrior. Instead he is corrupted by his father. Almost killed in a peasant rebellion his mother takes him to an ancient castle where a Dragon, keeper of the Auld Ways resides. In order to save the boy, the Dragon gives him half of his heart in return for promising to grow up to respect the Auld Code.

He does not, instead turns out just like his father. Quaid blame the dragon and so be becomes a dragonslayer. Many years later he find the dragon (Connery having a field day!!) and instead of slaying him, realises he, too, was betrayed.

It is a wonderful tale for the whole family!! But the Dragon is is simply amazing!!

Director Rob Cohen (XXX & The Fast and the Furious) brings mythical fire-breathing creatures to life in the amusing 1996 fantasy adventure "Dragonheart". In a medieval land, Bowen (Dennis Quaid), a disillusioned knight of the Old Code of Honor, forms an unlikely alliance with a noble fire-breathing dragon (voiced by screen favorite Sean Connery). These two sworn enemies become great friends and aid a peasant rebellion against a spoiled tyrant (David Thewlis). "Dragonheart" is a truly entertaining fantasy adventure for the whole family. Its enchanting story is quite engaging and its characters are certainly memorable. The 1996 fantasy adventure contains some great action sequences, fine performances, delightful humor and a rich music score. The special effects are truly spectacular. Draco is an impressive visual creation. Dennis Quaid delivers a surprising performance and Sean Connery is perfectly cast as the voice of the dragon. The cast also includes Pete Postlethwaite, Dina Meyer, Jason Isaacs and Academy Award winner Julie Christie.

As one of Universal's earliest DVD releases, "Dragonheart" Collector Edition is a highly recommended purchase. The fantasy adventure is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The DVD contains a spectacular picture quality with striking detail and bright colors. Its Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is great with fine clarity and good bass. Unlike the DTS version, this DVD comes fully loaded. The extensive documentary "The Making of Dragonheart" offers plenty of behind-the-scenes and SFX information. Other supplements extras include an audio commentary by director Rob Cohen, theatrical trailers, TV spots, deleted scenes, picture galleries and production notes. Overall, "Dragonheart" Collector's Edition has a superb DVD presentation and scores a definite "A-".

Plot: In a revoltion by the village against his father/the King, Enion -- the young Prince and apprentice of knight Bowen (Dennis Quaid) -- is injured. As the injury could be fatal, the Queen rushes him to a dragon with the request of it's healing power. To do so, the dragon must give half of his heart to the Prince (and, of course, he does). Yet once Enion bcomes King, he disregards any teachings of the Old Code from Bowen and becomes a cruel and corrupt young man, bringing only choas to his time of reign. From here, feeling that the dragon is the reason for Enion's rebellion, Bowen vows to slay every single dragon left in existence. But once he comes upon the last dragon left (Sean Connery with vocal duties only, as the dragon is CGI), he finds him impossible to defeat. They resort to friendship instead, and Bowen gives the dragon a name: Draco (after the constellation). They team up, traveling village to village, having Bowen to pretend he slays an evil dragon (Draco) that is inhabiting whichever current village they are working (this humorous scam being done for money, of course). But soon, the past catches up to both of them and they run into the old village now cruelly run by Enion. They, with the assistance of the villagers, decide to over-run Enion and his small army. With the help of Draco, it seems possible. But Enion ends up capturing Draco. Bowen must kill Enion and save Draco, but discovers a connection between the two that makes such a task much more difficult than he'd imagined. I've given most of the plot here, but I won't say too much about this part, because it is indeed the center of the climatic drama. All I can say is that Bowen must choose between two very difficult decisions!

Dragonheart succeeds in not only a humorous and fantastic movie, but also a heart-warming one. The ending (supported by the wonderful score) brought tears to my eyes, and the story is one that will stick with any viewer for quite some time. Although the CGI dragon is a turn-off to some, be assured that for the effects available at the time, these guys used the best. Also, as for the DVD, there are some great special features including inside looks at Draco, the effects, the story, etc. This is an adventure/fantasy film perfect for almost any age and I would certainly recommend at least a rental. If you're into dragons or just fantasy in general, Dragonheart is a must-see!

This movie is fantastic. How many action movies does one come across that have heart? Well this one has heart and it also has Dennis Quaid and Sean Connery. The visual effects of the Dragon are done by Industrial Light and Magic and are convincing.

I like movies that inspire you to be a better, more heroic person. This movie has Dennis Quaid playing Bowen a knight with virtue who follows the old code. He is a mentor to Einon, the son of a treacherous king. The only reason Bowen agrees to be his mentor is so that he can train him in the old code, where a knight defends the weak and whose fury destroys evil, in the hope that Einon will be a fair king.

In the course of the film, Einon's father is killed in a peasant uprising and Einon gets thrown onto a sharp object that goes through his heart. Einon is on the verge of death, but his mother (played by Julie Christy) knows that a dragon can save him. She takes him to a dragon who gives Einon half his heart if he promises to let go of his fathers tyrannical ways. Einon promises and is saved. Soon after that Einon takes over as king and is as treacherous as his father. Bowen believes it's the dragons heart that has bewitched Einon and swears the he will hunt and kill every dragon that exists.

Bowen looses his faith in the old code and through the film, events unfold that help him regain his faith. He also finds out that it was not the dragon's heart that corrupted Einon, but that Einon was already corrupt and the dragon had nothing to do with it. He later allies himself with the dragon and forms a peasant army to fight Einon.

The sound and picture quality on this disc are amazing. There is a scene where Draco the dragon is flying around Bowen. You can actually feel the sound of the dragon's wings flapping and moving across the room. The picture quality is awesome too. Universal Studios has done a great job quality wise.

Extras on the disc are the teaser trailer, the theatrical trailer, director Rob Cohen's commentary through the movie, the making of the movie which is fantastic. You get to see what it takes to make a movie like this. It has footage of Rob Cohen and the ILM team discussing the special effects with each other via a satellite link while they are in different countries. Rob Cohen actually studied all the close up shots of Sean Connery in all of Sean's movies of the last forty years for the expressions of Draco.

I have read other reviews that say this movie is for children. I disagree, with all the graphic depiction of blood, one is better keeping the children away from it.

This movie is a MUST BUY. This is one movie that a serious DVD collector should not be without.

In my opinion this is the best film ever created. It is about the last of the dragonslayers, Bowen (Dennis Quaid). Bowen is the trainer of the young prince Einon (David Thewlis). But when Einon is hurt in battle, his mother takes him to the cave of Draco the Dragon (Sean Connery). Einon is near death, and Draco feels pity for him, so he gives him half his heart. From then on, they share each other's sufferings, and should one die they both die. When Einon returns home, he grows evil, just like his father. Bowen believes the dragon is the cause of this, and is terribly angry, for he cares greatly for Einon. He swears he will avenge Einon by destroying all the dragons. Some time into his quest, he meets Draco, though doesn't realize it is the same one that saved Einon. Bowen, over time, starts to like Draco, and decides not to destroy him. So they team up and begin a business of fake dragonslaying. The ending is thrilling and always brings tears to my eyes. I shall treasure this movie for the rest of my life. It is a picture of loneliness, friendship, and making terrible sacrifices. The combination of dragon and knightly lore and Sean Connery's wonderful acting brings out something special which generations of children should cherish for years to come. I am, and always will be, caught in its mesmerizing spell.

In 1996, a fantasy film by the name of "Dragonheart" hit theaters and didn't really garner much at the box-office. Quite a shame, because this movie is quite a good one. "Dragonheart" took place during medieval times in England with a story about a bloodthirsty king's son's (David Thewlis) pact with a dragon to live with the half of the dragon's heart. The dragon, Draco (Sean Connery's voice), later befriends Bowen (Dennis Quaid), Einon's mentor, after they realize Einon has the same treachorous blood of his father's.

The acting is quite good in the film, especially Quaid and Pete Postlethwaite as Gilbert (he's a poet and a monk, and he gets the best lines). Julie Christie plays Einon's mother and she does a decent job. The only one I can detract is Dina Meyer's and considering her character's father is murdered by the evil king, I expected a more angst-filled performance. Unfortunately, she plays the role rather blandly and it's quite a shame; she was excellent in "Starship Troopers" (one year later) and very good in her small role in "Star Trek Nemesis." Oh well, onto the other good stuff...

The dragon effects were VERY WELL DONE and detailed, and it's not surprising that one of the head dragon creators (Phil Tippett) from 1981's "Dragonslayer" is involved. Sean Connery gives the character much personality and I'd place him #2 in the best lines category for this film (as I mentioned above, Gilbert has most of the best). The music was composed by Randy Edelman, a prolific composer of notable films including "Kindergarten Cop," "The Last of the Mohicans," and the brilliant "Gettysburg," among many other films. The music is superb.

On a closing note, I'd say for recent years, this is an awesome film. It may not be academy award winning material, but it's visual grandness for the medieval period and it's overall great sense of fun, it's a winner. It almost feels like those old Indiana Jones/Romancing the Stone/Back to the Future/etc. films in which a movie is content on being fun, whether or not a lot of brainpower is involved. A good film, excellently directed by Rob Cohen ("Fast and the Furious").

Even with movies like Star Wars (all chapters) and now the Lord of the Rings out there gathering all the attention, Dragonheart is still, even today, the only --ONLY-- movie that brings me to tears every time. Just obtained the DVD and found myself soul-searching again. Visuals are magnificent, but it's the story that pulls you in --to the point where you truly forget Draco is a CGI effect. Dennis Quaid's Bowen rings truer, to me, than any character in fiction --I feel like I'm eternally stuck in that moment where he mutters to Draco, "That's the way the world is." Still waiting for the spirit of King Arthur to snap me out of it. I'm hopeful that it will happen before I die. Rob Cohen, if you're reading this --THANK YOU for this piece of work. You want miracles? Dragonheart delivers.

My interest in dragons is a fairly new one. I'm fascinated by the fact that they fly and in some ways seem to act a bit like cats. Perhaps it is the way their tails move or the fact that they have those deliciously long claws.

In this fantasy, the dragon Draco (the last dragon) has a sense of humor and takes a liking to the Dragonslayer Bowen (Dennis Quaid). Although Bowen first vows to kill Draco, he soon learns they have both met their match. It is therefore futile to try to fight fate.

Together they go into the dragon slaying business for mutual profit, however Draco only pretends to die and swims away unharmed.

The Dragon really steals the show and I found the voice of Sean Connery interesting. Of all the dragon movies I've seen, this dragon is amazing. You have to love it when he says he chewed in self-defense, but didn't swallow. Draco is sensitive, witty and is simply adorable.

Prince Einon is much more evil than any dragon and after being fatally wounded in an uprising, he receives half a dragon's heart/life force. He and Draco are eternally connected and the only way to destroy Einon is to destroy Draco.

As Einon is about to die, Draco makes him promise he will rule the kingdom with mercy. Einon swears and receives the gift of a new life. However, he is selfish and cruel and emerges as an even more oppressive king.

After killing Kara's father, King Einon is brash enough to think he can seduce her and make her is bride. He is just purely evil and you will take an instant dislike to him.

In order to destroy Einon, the unthinkable must occur.

No-one is above the Code, especially the king. -Bowen

Perhaps everyone has a dragon inside of them. A creature who longs to fly away, but who at the same time wants to listen to the natural laws written on their own hearts.

~The Rebecca Review