Age of Dragons (2011)

Age of Dragons (2011)

Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick is recreated in a world where Captain Ahab and his crew are in search of a great white dragon. Basically, it’s a free interpretation in which a great white dragon replaces the cetacean.

Oh dear! I wish I could have given this film more points than Dungeons & Dragons (2000). Unfortunately, it’s just as bad!

Most of the actors are either far from transcendent or completely lacking in charm.

Corey Sevier is decent, but nothing more.

Sofia Pernas (Sonic 3) is unlikely to make my Top 30 best actresses list. Of course, getting noticed in the soap opera The Young and the Restless isn’t ultra-rewarding. But Eva Longoria had also been there, and her talent took her further. Adrienne Frantz also stood out, but that’s another story.

John Kepa Kruse has good charisma, but unfortunately he barely speaks.

As for Danny Glover, he’s very theatrical and just adds another bad film to his career. What a shame! We know he was better than this, but let’s face it, we’re a long way from Lethal Weapon 1 to 4 (1987 to 1998), The Color Purple (1985) or Silverado (1985).

On the other hand, Vinnie Jones is the one who surprised me in this film. It’s the first time I’ve seen him completely differently. I’d come to think of him as a real psychopath, even in real life, but here he talks a lot, is rather smiling, amusing and interesting. The fact that we see so little of him also spoils the film. In fact, most of the more interesting characters don’t come to the fore.

Directed by Ryan Little to whom we don’t owe… much! Yes, because I doubt Saints and Soldiers (2014) is a good film!!! Forever Strong (2008) looks touching, but it’s never been on my priority list. War Pigs (2015) I’ll watch it just because I’m mega-fan of Dolph Lundgren… but, at the same time, this film looks like a really, really bad ‘remake’ of The 12 Bastards … with no psychology, and no worthwhile script. It’s the kind of film to be avoided at all costs!

As you can see, I don’t think much of Ryan Little. Just another director who disappoints me or doesn’t interest me that much.

Here, the dragon has a good head, the special effects are fairly average… but it’s mainly the lack of action that gets the better of this quest. Why assemble a whole team if not to make a thrilling adventure film à la Krull (1983)? It’s crazy, but the more time goes by, the more I like it, despite the fact that it’s not ageing well. Because I’ve rarely rediscovered the pleasure I had with it, even though I discovered it almost ten years too late.

The ending isn’t what you’d expect. In fact, nothing happens in Age of Dragons in the way I would have liked or hoped. There are even some rather ridiculous moments, like the young woman who watches two men fight as if she’s panicking, whereas at the beginning she puts three of them on the ground by herself.

Come on… enough wasted time. I’ve seen it, I’ve commented on it! I’ll leave you to it and move on to the next one…