Eragon (PG)

Dragon fantasy falls flat, but kids won't care.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
  • Directed By: Stefan Fangmeier
  • Running Time: 104 minutes
  • Release Date: 12/14/2006
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 03/20/2007
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: battle sequences and frightening moments

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie's content is just right for the target 'tweener audience. It has its scary moments, with several scenes featuring dark woods, eerie wind, abrupt violence, big battles and a frightening evil wizard with red and black makeup. Swords, arrows, and spears produce some bloody wounds and several dead bodies, and one-on-one fight scenes include kicking, punching, swordplay, and falling. Eragon confronts and feels guilty about a family member's death (the corpse is visible, with a bloody face).

Families can talk about how the movie differs from the book. What worked better in the book and what in the movie? Why? Those who didn't read the story might talk about Eragon's response to being "chosen" by the dragon. Why are dragons such fascinating creatures in fiction and legends? Families can also talk about the movie's similarities to (and differences from) other fantasy and sci-fi classics, like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. What elements of Eragon's story are unique? Which ones have you seen before?

Message

Social Behavior:

Bad king and wizard want to stomp out all independent thought; dragon rider and his friends want their land to be prosperous and free.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Violence pushes the PG edge, with bloody injuries and faces, brief sadness following a character's murder, and wraithy figures who swoop around in darkness; battle scenes include huge armies wielding multiple weapons (spears, arrows, flames, swords, knives); battle between two flying creatures (good dragon and bad smoky dark beastie) has them biting at each other, resulting in bloody wounds; riders fall from horses; magic spell leaves victim with black spidery veins and debilitating "illness."

Sex

Mutual attraction between Arya and Eragon is established -- without much spark but with some sensual glances; Eragon's relationship with the dragon is "romantic," though it stops short of being sensual (some lines are comic, whether intentionally or not, as each declares their mutually interdependent "power").

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs

When Eragon (Edward Speleers) goes hunting in the forest, he discovers a glowing blue stone. Little does he know that it's a dragon egg, and that the beast about to hatch has selected him (and only him) to be her rider. He meets a wise former rider named Brom (Jeremy Irons) and helps regain the kingdom of Alagaesia from the gnarly, paranoid, seldom-seen King Galbatorix (John Malkovich).

Is it any good?

2

For a movie about flying dragons, ERAGON is disappointingly flatfooted. With plot points borrowed from a range of other movies -- whether great like Star Wars or dismal like Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker -- it tells the tale of an ordinary-seeming boy, Eragon, who's destined for great things.

It's hardly a good sign that much of the back story must be narrated (by Irons) before the movie really begins. The unnecessarily talky set-up names some of the different types of creatures in Alagaësia (bad Urgels and Ra'zac, mostly good humans), then goes on to describe Eragon's reactions and feelings, even when you can see them yourself. At 17, he's not exactly a child, but he still grows up quickly under the auspices of Obi-Wan-like Brom and flying, fire-breathing, cranky dragon Saphira (voiced somewhat stiffly by Rachel Weisz). Their approaches to his education are different, but both intend to get him ready to reintroduce the grandeur of the dragon riders back into current lore.

Related Video

Other choices

Eragon
(written by Christopher Paolini
)
Dragonheart

Reign of Fire
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 115 reviews.

5

Posted on 12/12/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

im crazy for Eragon

I relly love Eragon and do enthing for him he is so hot I love Eragon and I am a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2


Posted on 11/25/08 by dylank Kid contributor, age 14

.........

Probably the reason why it didnt include all the gory stuff is because the movie was designed for kids since most of the readers are kids. Do you really think they would make this an R movie. Kids would complain and the movie would be like 4-5 hours long to explain everything. I do disagree about the part when Roran leaves to get a job to support his betrothed Katrina in the book but in the move it says he leaves to join the army which the family hates in the book. Also they skip Terim where Brom meets up with one of the rebels which is his best friend. The second and third movies are going to be screwed up...
0


Posted on 06/30/08 by Book reader Kid contributor, age 15

I killed brain cells and wasted time watching this

let me apoligize in advance to everyone who did like this movie but I have to speak my mind. it sucked. the movie wasn't like the book at all. in fact they mangled it so bad that there's no possible way without a remake they can make a sequel movie. one main part where they messed up is the part that says "if a rider dies so does it's dragon" however Galbatorix's dragon isn't his! his dragon died so he killed another rider and took that rider's from him. in fact if common sense media allowed more words I could go on and on and on and on about how badly they messed up and parts they forgot. oh and the urgals are more like orcs not human's. some are supposed to be over 8 feet tall and they have giant horns! oh and the king isn't trying to kill eragon. he's trying to capture him because he needs saphire cause she's the last female dragon in existence. if she dies then the whole race of dragon's dies. just read the book and you'll see what I mean. in fact this movie could have been rated "R" if they did everything in the book. that's how much they messed up.
2


Posted on 06/28/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Very dissapointed.

This is nowhere near on par with the book. It was ok, but it could have been so much better.
0


Posted on 04/16/08 by optimistic Kid contributor, age 12

Arrrggghhh!!!!

This is so stupid. They totally ruined some of my favorite books to make into a stupid action movie that doesn't make sense. At least make your kids read the books before seeing this STUPID movie!! DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
5


Posted on 01/03/08 by Spud Adult contributor

A lot of people enjoy bashing this movie, but I enjoyed it a lot. In fact, I own the DVD and look forward to seeing the rest of the trilogy. Like most fantasy movies there's no language or sex, not even in the slightest amount. However, the movie is more violent then most PG movies. The good guys only fight to defend other innocent people, but the bad guys enjoy being brutal. In one scene, an evil mystic tries to motivate his soldiers by spearing one of them in the foot. In a latter scene, he kills one of them with his fingernail. There's no blood shown, and there isn't as much swordplay as in the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies, but it can be a little strong for such a low rating.
2


Posted on 11/21/07 by ConnDude Kid contributor, age 10

The Book Was Better...

One night, when I was almost finished reading Eragon, I decided to watch the movie. I absolutely love the book but the movie I didn't care for. It skipped a lot of important scenes to make time, but the movie was a bit short in time and really short in details.
2


Posted on 10/03/07 by quest13 Adult contributor

A sick remake

DON'T SEE IT!
2

Posted on 09/07/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Scary

I believe it is too scary (some scenes) for young children. My 13 year old found the bad guys quite evil looking. Use caution- we can not erase what we see
3

Posted on 08/19/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

My six year old boy is very enticed, but may be a bit too young!

My main concern is the use of sorcery in the movie. I think some parents will want to be aware of this part.

See all 115 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 52 reviews.

2


Posted on 06/28/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Very dissapointed.

This is nowhere near on par with the book. It was ok, but it could have been so much better.
5


Posted on 01/03/08 by Spud Adult contributor

A lot of people enjoy bashing this movie, but I enjoyed it a lot. In fact, I own the DVD and look forward to seeing the rest of the trilogy. Like most fantasy movies there's no language or sex, not even in the slightest amount. However, the movie is more violent then most PG movies. The good guys only fight to defend other innocent people, but the bad guys enjoy being brutal. In one scene, an evil mystic tries to motivate his soldiers by spearing one of them in the foot. In a latter scene, he kills one of them with his fingernail. There's no blood shown, and there isn't as much swordplay as in the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies, but it can be a little strong for such a low rating.
2


Posted on 10/03/07 by quest13 Adult contributor

A sick remake

DON'T SEE IT!
2

Posted on 09/07/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Scary

I believe it is too scary (some scenes) for young children. My 13 year old found the bad guys quite evil looking. Use caution- we can not erase what we see
3

Posted on 08/19/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

My six year old boy is very enticed, but may be a bit too young!

My main concern is the use of sorcery in the movie. I think some parents will want to be aware of this part.
2

Posted on 07/10/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Blaaa Eragon the movie

I was VERY disappointed in the movie. The book had such potential and COULD have made movie/movies the caliber of Lord of the Rings with the right director/producer. I feel like Paolini sold us out. Too much was left out...too much was changed. Arya wasn't the noble elf she should have been... The Urgals and Ra'zak were horrible. I am hoping that the movie is remade to be the icon it COULD have been and that everyone has better "sense" in making The Eldest (if it becomes a movie).
5

Posted on 06/08/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

extremly violent

wow i saw this movie but it was so violent. So I would give it a PG-13
5

Posted on 04/17/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

This was a Great Movie! -Awesome Special Effects

despite what critics say about the film, i thought it was wonderful! the plot is a little cliche, yes. but the special effects provided that extra something that made up for what it lacked. everybody i know who saw the movie as well wanted to see more...hoping for a sequel. i hear the book is out called "Eldest", which is the sequel. but i can only hope that the studios decide to turn it into a movie as well. i, as well as many of my friends, do not have the time to read a novel, let alone watch a 2-3 hour film. PLEASE make the sequel into a film! us movie watchers want to know what happens next!!
5


Posted on 04/17/07 by Adria Kimbrel Adult contributor
5


Posted on 04/09/07 by zantero Adult contributor

The Greatest

It was a very good movie, i think that the people who did not like it have no imagination and are wayyyy to criticle, if you want to watch something with violence and gore in it then go watch 'the hills have eyes' but if you want to watch a movie with a good heart felt story line then watch ERAGON! Hopefully there will be a sequal to this movie.
See all 52 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 63 reviews.

5

Posted on 12/12/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

im crazy for Eragon

I relly love Eragon and do enthing for him he is so hot I love Eragon and I am a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2


Posted on 11/25/08 by dylank Kid contributor, age 14

.........

Probably the reason why it didnt include all the gory stuff is because the movie was designed for kids since most of the readers are kids. Do you really think they would make this an R movie. Kids would complain and the movie would be like 4-5 hours long to explain everything. I do disagree about the part when Roran leaves to get a job to support his betrothed Katrina in the book but in the move it says he leaves to join the army which the family hates in the book. Also they skip Terim where Brom meets up with one of the rebels which is his best friend. The second and third movies are going to be screwed up...
0


Posted on 06/30/08 by Book reader Kid contributor, age 15

I killed brain cells and wasted time watching this

let me apoligize in advance to everyone who did like this movie but I have to speak my mind. it sucked. the movie wasn't like the book at all. in fact they mangled it so bad that there's no possible way without a remake they can make a sequel movie. one main part where they messed up is the part that says "if a rider dies so does it's dragon" however Galbatorix's dragon isn't his! his dragon died so he killed another rider and took that rider's from him. in fact if common sense media allowed more words I could go on and on and on and on about how badly they messed up and parts they forgot. oh and the urgals are more like orcs not human's. some are supposed to be over 8 feet tall and they have giant horns! oh and the king isn't trying to kill eragon. he's trying to capture him because he needs saphire cause she's the last female dragon in existence. if she dies then the whole race of dragon's dies. just read the book and you'll see what I mean. in fact this movie could have been rated "R" if they did everything in the book. that's how much they messed up.
0


Posted on 04/16/08 by optimistic Kid contributor, age 12

Arrrggghhh!!!!

This is so stupid. They totally ruined some of my favorite books to make into a stupid action movie that doesn't make sense. At least make your kids read the books before seeing this STUPID movie!! DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
2


Posted on 11/21/07 by ConnDude Kid contributor, age 10

The Book Was Better...

One night, when I was almost finished reading Eragon, I decided to watch the movie. I absolutely love the book but the movie I didn't care for. It skipped a lot of important scenes to make time, but the movie was a bit short in time and really short in details.
2


Posted on 08/13/07 by ferraris_rock Kid contributor, age 13

Movie ruins book

This movie is one of my least favorite ever. It would have been marginal if there hadn't been a book to go with it, but nothing is like the book (read my review). Don't watch it if you like the book.
0


Posted on 07/27/07 by Xexyzl Kid contributor, age 16

-_-

Ill keep this short. The movie blows chunks, its awful. Luckily for all those "concerned parents" the tore down most of the violence. This quote from a Shurtugal.com post sums it up: "The movie got a PG rating? I guess that leaves out the baby with the spear through its heart on the pile of bodies then"
5


Posted on 06/02/07 by schuymarch1 Kid contributor, age 13

My favorite movie...

This movie is my favorite movie, or at least for a while.
5

Posted on 05/31/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

this movie ROCKED!!!!!!

I will tell you,I'm a big fan of dragons,and this movie is one of my favorites!When my parents leave,my brother goes upstairs to play video games('cause he's lazy)'while I watch Eragon over and over again,constantly for many hours!
5


Posted on 05/17/07 by ERAGON Kid contributor, age 14

THE BEST MOVIE AND HISTORY IN THE WORLD

THE MOVIE ISN'T THE BEST INTHE WORLD BUT IF READ THE BOOK I THINK YOU WILL BE CRAZY (ALAGAEZIASFUN GREECE)
See all 63 kids reviews >
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