Summary
Season 2 ofHouse of the Dragonhas been even more dragon-centered than Season 1.
InGame of Thrones, three dragons return from a period of presumed extinction.
Now, the number of dragons has hit double digits.
Image via Universal Pictures
But Draco, unlike the T-Rex and velociraptor, can talk and has intelligence.
Dragonheartis a tight, 102-minute epic.
Surprisingly,it’s not set in a fantasy kingdom, but on earth, in 982 AD.
Image via Universal Pictures
An extended prologue sets up the tragic stakes of the story.
Einon’s father is a brutal tyrant, but Bowen hopes Einon represents a more just future.
While viciously suppressing a peasant rebellion, Einon’s father is killed, and Einon is mortally wounded.
Several years later, Bowen is a wandering dragonslayer.
He has abandoned his code for the life of a mercenary.
The dragon, whom Bowen will soon name Draco, is a kindred spirit.
The once-noble creature has been sidelined by a world no longer governed by honor or magic.
As Sean Connery bellows, “I am the last one!”
After battling to a standstill, Draco and Bowen make peace and agree on an arrangement.
They will travel the countryside.
They participate in a second peasant uprising led by the passionate but naive Kara (Dina Meyer).
Why Were the Special Effects of ‘Dragonheart’ a Landmark Accomplishment?
The character designs for Draco were created byPhil Tippett,a legend in the field of special effects.
He had already designed a dragon Vermithrax Pejorative in the 1981 fantasy filmDragonslayer.
But Draco was unlike Vermithrax.
He needed a range of expressions that made stop-motion an impractical solution.
“Don’t you mean extinct?”
The effects work onDragonheartbuilt off of the accomplishments ofJurassic Parkbut pushed the envelope even further.
Image via Universal Pictures
Often,the digital Draco was combined with practical fire and water effects filmed on camera.
Draco is one of the most important characters in the film, and he’s frequently on camera.
Creating his face required a brand-new facial animation system known as Caricature.
Image via Universal Studios
Is ‘Dragonheart’ Worth Rewatching?
Dragonheartis remembered fondly by many, but it’s not a great movie.
But despite the Shakespearean drama a mother that regrets saving her son’s life!
the movie refuses to take itself seriously.
Draco is an awkward mix ofAslan the lionandGarfield the cat.
And the central friendship between Draco and Bowen is uninteresting because they’re so similar.
As co-conspirators, they’re a cute pair, but they don’t have much to teach each other.
IsDragonheartworth watching for the special effects alone?
That’s harder to say.
At first,the effects do not seem to hold up.
You eventually accept Draco.
His performance ends up being by far the best in the film.
Dragonheart is also about the extinction of the dragons.
And yet, Daenerys Targaryen brings dragons back into Westeros, beginning from three eggs.
Dinosaurs will walk the earth.
The Age of Dragons will continue as long as the Age of Humans!
Dragonheartis available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S.
