Is it just me, or is it difficult to find fantasy movies that are any good? This film, though flawed, was one of the good ones. I appreciated the soft world-building (I don't need to know everything to enjoy a fantasy world), the beautiful setting, the costuming, and the CGI and design of the dragon.
One of the problems I had with the film was that there was so. Much. Screaming. In a film that highlights the strength of a woman, I couldn't help thinking how stupid the MC was at times for screaming so much when she's supposed to be HIDING. The screaming tells the dragon exactly where she is! Stop with the screaming! It would have been much more powerful and realistic had they shown close-ups of bit-back emotion and the fight to hold in the cries of pain. Millie Bobby Brown is an amazing actress and is no doubt capable of subtle acting. I wish there had been more of that featured here.
Another criticism I have--the last battle was unrealistic. The dragon could have just roasted her or crushed her so many times. Why didn't she? There wasn't enough to hold her back from doing so. Because of the lack of realism (which is very important to keep fantasy immersive), it flat for me, though I did enjoy the outcome.
Lastly, I'm annoyed that the trailer showed so much of what happens in the movie. Why would they do that?? I would have had a much better viewing experience if they had kept the "sacrifice" part of the story hidden. There were absolutely no surprises besides the very end, when she befriends the dragon, and even that is somewhat predictable.
Overall, I was still happy to watch the film and wish there were even more fantasy stories in Hollywood that weren't just based on books. Be original! Be smart! Be realistic! Use subtle emotion! If those had been utilized, the film would have gotten top scores from me.
One of the problems I had with the film was that there was so. Much. Screaming. In a film that highlights the strength of a woman, I couldn't help thinking how stupid the MC was at times for screaming so much when she's supposed to be HIDING. The screaming tells the dragon exactly where she is! Stop with the screaming! It would have been much more powerful and realistic had they shown close-ups of bit-back emotion and the fight to hold in the cries of pain. Millie Bobby Brown is an amazing actress and is no doubt capable of subtle acting. I wish there had been more of that featured here.
Another criticism I have--the last battle was unrealistic. The dragon could have just roasted her or crushed her so many times. Why didn't she? There wasn't enough to hold her back from doing so. Because of the lack of realism (which is very important to keep fantasy immersive), it flat for me, though I did enjoy the outcome.
Lastly, I'm annoyed that the trailer showed so much of what happens in the movie. Why would they do that?? I would have had a much better viewing experience if they had kept the "sacrifice" part of the story hidden. There were absolutely no surprises besides the very end, when she befriends the dragon, and even that is somewhat predictable.
Overall, I was still happy to watch the film and wish there were even more fantasy stories in Hollywood that weren't just based on books. Be original! Be smart! Be realistic! Use subtle emotion! If those had been utilized, the film would have gotten top scores from me.