Enter a world twinned with Middle Earth where Eragon, a country boy of noble heart, becomes custodian to a dragon. Evil King Galbatorix is not too happy about the arrangement for he’s spent decades eliminating the beasts and those who ride them. His reign of terror is absolute and to maintain the status quo, a demonically assisted magician is dispatched to erase Eragon, his dragon and anyone who will support them, notably a group of rebels intent on taking the King down.

Although this appears like Lord of the Rings Lite, Eragon has much more in common with Star Wars. Part 1 of a trilogy (as you watch, the novel’s 22 year old author is beavering over Book 3), you need only substitute all key characters from the Emperor down, and you’ve got this movie’s dramatic arc in one. Abandonment and self-sacrifice are significant themes which is not to suggest plagiarism, though originality does take a back seat.

Yet up in the front row, Eragon is a fun ride. Directed by the Effects Supervisor of Perfect Storm and Saving Private Ryan, the film maintains a powerful visual style. Soaring above grimy, medieval forests, Saphira the dragon is seamlessly integrated into rip-snorting, if somewhat cheesy, action. As Obi-Wan, er, Brom, Jeremy Irons brings gravitas to the role of mentor and is a weighty foil to energetic newcomer Ed Speleers and  the theatricality of King Malkovich and his juicy sorcerer, Robert Carlyle. Eragon eschews the sense of tragedy that permeates companion pieces and is certainly in touch with the daring-do attitude of its matinee heritage; displeasing few, cheering many.

// COLIN FRASER