Dragon Rider (2020)

Dragon Rider (2020)

3/10

Starring the voices of

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Felicity Jones

Freddie Highmore

Patrick Stewart

 

Directed by Tomer Eshed

 

This movie is absolutely missing the point when it comes to entertainment. It dots all the “I”s and curves all the “C”s when it comes to being a cliché. From the moment the movie starts, you get the feeling of how low the bar is for this movie’s aspirations. Then, when the plot is laid before you, all you can see is that the ending is so clear after 15 minutes. Do not seek depth when it comes to why the silver dragon was so paramount in taking down the bad guy. The movie's writer, producer, and director don’t think you’ll be smart enough to notice that little gap, but we noticed.

This German animation does not come close to being on the level of Disney/Pixar. The animation itself was basic, the voice casting wasn’t superb, and the whole story is just a long, boring ride.

Where was this ride heading, you may ask? Well, it’s to a place called the “Rim of Heaven,” which is supposed to be like a dragon utopia.

The reason we are searching for this place is simple: Humans and dragons had a little problem with cohabitation many, many years ago. So, the humans created a gold metallic monster called Nettlebrand, which eats dragons. Nettlebrand got out of hand and became uncontrollable. The dragons fled the lands where humans dwelled to hide away from them, where they couldn’t be seen. We also discover many other mythical creatures who have left the land of humans to stay close to the dragons. In this fantasy world, some of these creatures, including the dragons, can speak fluent English.

The humans' constant need for deforestation led to the dragons preparing to flee again, to hide from humans. One of the dragons, a silver dragon named Firedrake, has heard of the myth—the Rim of Heaven—and believes it exists. He now needs to go find it. He’s on this search with his best friend Sorrell (she’s like a chipmunk). She informs him that there’s an oracle who knows everything, called the internet, which lives in the human world. So, they need to go find it, as it can tell them where the Rim of Heaven is.

On their journey to the human world, they meet Ben, a thief whose selfish ways center around stealing from others and trying to get one over on them. They meet Ben, who, at the time, is on the run and lies to Firedrake, claiming he’s a dragon rider who can tame dragons and is best suited to help them find the place they seek. Firedrake buys into the lies and takes Ben with them on their adventure to find the Rim of Heaven. Someone sees the trio and reports it to Nettlebrand, who, for many years, has not seen a dragon to eat. So, he begins his chase of the trio, while they face numerous battles and adventures along the way.

This movie is a waste of time—please save your children and yourself the heartache of seeing it.