tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137730880076755122.post9137545132074039362..comments2024-03-08T03:14:02.855+11:00Comments on This Island Rod: Dragonslayer (1981)Roderick Heathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107539379079558068noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137730880076755122.post-74847564409698477732012-04-04T01:54:05.989+10:002012-04-04T01:54:05.989+10:00Well said in turn J.D. Dragonslayer is definitely ...Well said in turn J.D. <i>Dragonslayer</i> is definitely a film with a distinctive and engaging personality, and it's the darkness that both made folks antsy back in the day but which loans the film its naggingly memorable force. I did actually faintly enjoy <i>The Sorcerer's Apprentice</i>, because I expected a real stinker, whereas it's actually tragically competent, and exhibits the least compelling aspects of formula filmmaking. And, yeah, the guy playing the hero is utterly insufferable. I'd take Peter MacNicol any day over him.Roderick Heathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08107539379079558068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137730880076755122.post-47307416519807264882012-04-04T00:35:39.334+10:002012-04-04T00:35:39.334+10:00"Dragonslayer actually takes up the lead of R..."Dragonslayer actually takes up the lead of Raiders of the Lost Ark in cross-pollinating fantasy with aspects of the horror genre"<br /><br />Well said! I had forgotten just how dark DRAGONSLAYER is and, as you point out, how it bucks many of the conventions of the fantasy genre. No wonder it bellyflopped at the box office.<br /><br />I certainly don't disagree with the flaws you point out but never really derail the film but, for me, actually make me appreciate it more over time - the casting against type, the odd tone to some of the performances, the gritty look. As you say, it makes more recent fantasy fare like THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE look that much more creatively bankrupt.<br /><br />At least with DRAGONSLAYER, you always get the impression that a singular vision is driving it and that there is a real desire to make you care about these characters and their plight unlike the aforementioned Nicolas Cage vehicle which feels like plot points connected CGI set pieces in what amounts to a paycheck movie for all involved. I never get that with DRAGONSLAYER, which is certainly part of its charm.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.com