It is a measure of Sean Connery's charisma that he can steal a film without actually appearing in it. That's what happens in "Dragonheart," an entertaining effort from director Rob Cohen.
Connery provides the voice for Draco, the last dragon. And the CGI dragon created for this film is magnificent. ILM obviously modeled the dragon on Connery-his facial expressions and lip movements will be familiar to fans of the original and best James Bond.
"Dragonheart" stars Dennis Quaid as Bowen, last of the dragon slayers, who has been mentoring Prince Einon. Bowen seems to be the person in the theater who doesn't realize that when Einon becomes king he will turn out to be a bad egg.
Soon, last dragon and last dragon slayer meet and battle to a humorous stand off. They then team up to run a medieval scam: Draco appears in a town, Bowen shows up to collect a large bounty to "kill" the dragon, and they take their act to the next town.
But eventually Bowen and Draco team up to battle the king, with predictable results. Unfortunately, the fate of the dragon is telegraphed midway through the film.
Quaid is fine, as is Thewlis as Einon-although at times the latter looks so much like Martin Short we expect him to break into "I must say." And Connery, as always, is pure joy.
Connery provides the voice for Draco, the last dragon. And the CGI dragon created for this film is magnificent. ILM obviously modeled the dragon on Connery-his facial expressions and lip movements will be familiar to fans of the original and best James Bond.
"Dragonheart" stars Dennis Quaid as Bowen, last of the dragon slayers, who has been mentoring Prince Einon. Bowen seems to be the person in the theater who doesn't realize that when Einon becomes king he will turn out to be a bad egg.
Soon, last dragon and last dragon slayer meet and battle to a humorous stand off. They then team up to run a medieval scam: Draco appears in a town, Bowen shows up to collect a large bounty to "kill" the dragon, and they take their act to the next town.
But eventually Bowen and Draco team up to battle the king, with predictable results. Unfortunately, the fate of the dragon is telegraphed midway through the film.
Quaid is fine, as is Thewlis as Einon-although at times the latter looks so much like Martin Short we expect him to break into "I must say." And Connery, as always, is pure joy.