(Warning this review contains spoilers)

In my on going quest to work my way through Robert Carlyle’s filmography, I just watched this movie. It was alright, a semi-decent fantasy movie. It kinda follows the usual script of young kid is the ‘chosen one’, makes a stupid mistake, his mentor dies in front of his eyes, he embraces his destiny etc. Quite formulaic really.

Still the special effects weren’t bad, the setting/backstory was interesting enough. I think the movie was intended to start up a franchise, but then according to wiki the movie bombed so obviously that didn’t happen. There are quite a few unanswered questions like why did Eragon’s mother abandon him? What happened to his cousin? Also the ending was a clear set up for another movie. They’d won a battle but the war was just beginning.

Right, so how about Durza? Well, his appearance was very Rumple-esque. Honestly he was kinda like Rumple-lite to be honest. I have questions about him too, I mean for someone with Durza’s power, why was he afraid of and serving the King? I know the King obviously had magic because of his dragon but Durza had some pretty mad skills. To be honest I’m glad there weren’t more movies because *spoiler alert* Durza gets killed off, which was a waste of a good villain. He really wasn’t in this movie enough.

So basically watching it for Robert Carlyle is a bit of a waste. He’s really not in it that much, and his performance is like I said Rumple-lite. Watching it as a fantasy movie, it’s ok but nothing to write home about. It was enjoyable enough, and it’s certainly more my kind of thing than some other RC projects I’ve seen. I didn’t finish this one and think “what did I just watch?” which is always a good thing.

Actually thinking about it, the movie was better than I’m giving it credit for. I love the fantasy genre but I can find their movies a bit boring. I watched Snow White and the Huntsman the other day and I paused it and literally groaned because I couldn’t believe I was only halfway through, it felt interminable. I didn’t do that with this one, it passed and the ending happened and I wasn’t really checking the clock.

I guess I’m kinda luke-warm on it. It was alright, nothing more and nothing less.