Alright, gather round. Let me tell you about a film that doesn't get near the credit it deserves. Dragonheart is earnest, sincere, and wears its heart on its mailed sleeve. And you know what? In an age of cynicism and irony, that's exactly what fantasy needs.
Dennis Quaid plays Bowen, a disillusioned knight who's lost his faith in the old code. He's hunting dragons for coin, bitter and hollow. Then he meets Draco, voiced by Sean Connery, and gods above, what a character. Draco is noble, witty, ancient, and tragic. Connery brings gravitas and warmth to a CGI creation that somehow feels more real than half the actors in modern blockbusters.
Where I come from in Caledon, we've got our share of old stories about the bond between warrior and beast, knight and dragon, honor and sacrifice. Dragonheart understands that bond. Bowen and Draco's friendship is the beating heart of this film, and their banter is genuinely funny. The way they con villages with fake dragon slayings? Classic. The way they slowly rediscover honor and purpose? That's what fantasy is about.
Now, I'll be honest. King Einon is a bit of a one-note villain, and some of the peasant rebellion subplot feels rushed. But you know what? I don't care. Because when Draco teaches Bowen about the Old Code, when they stand together against tyranny, when that final scene hits (and by Thrar's forge, it hits), all those quibbles fade away.
The score by Randy Edelman is magnificent. Soaring, heroic, Celtic-tinged. It's the kind of music that makes you want to ride into battle or raise a toast to fallen heroes. Probably both, in my case.
And let's talk about Draco's design. For 1996 CGI, he's stunning. He moves like a creature of weight and power, his expressions are soulful, and when he takes to the sky, it's awe-inspiring. The film treats him with dignity, not as a monster but as a person, and that respect shines through.
What I love most about Dragonheart is that it believes in its own story. It's not ashamed to be a tale of knights, dragons, and codes of honor. It's not winking at the audience or deconstructing the genre. It's earnest, and in a world drowning in snark, that sincerity is refreshing.
So here's the truth from a Caledonian who's heard a thousand tales: Dragonheart is underrated. It's a film with soul, with friendship, with sacrifice. It's the kind of story bards would sing in taverns like mine. And when that last scene plays out under the stars, when you realize what Draco's sacrifice truly means, you'll feel it. Trust me.
To the stars, Draco. To the stars.