TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Dragon Wars [2007]


RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £6.85 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk

Stunning computer-generated special effects are the main selling point of Dragon Wars, a Korean-made fantasy about ancient monsters wreaking havoc in modern Los Angeles. The complex plot, based on legend, pits an evil serpent and its demonic army against a young woman (Amanda Brooks) who is the reincarnation of a young woman imbued with the heaven-sent power to transform the creature into an all-powerful dragon. Jason Behr (The Grudge) is the reporter who discovers that he too is a reincarnated warrior bound to prevent Brooks and her power from falling into the wrong hands. The elaborate premise isn't helped by the script, which delivers absurd dialogue and situations with child-like naivete. Thankfully, the presence of Robert Forster (as another reincarnated hero) and solid actors like Elizabeth Pena, Craig Robinson and Chris Mulkey, help smooth over the frequent moments of unintentional humour. But this won't matter much to fantasy fans and (especially) younger viewers, who will tune in for the film's riot of special effects. Director Shim Hyung-rae and his talented team offer scene after scene of exceptional CGI creations, most notably an aerial dogfight between helicopters and winged lizards in the skies above downtown L.A., and a climactic battle which makes good on the title's promise. The DVD includes a making-of featurette which outlines Shim's four-year struggle to complete the project, as well as storyboard galleries and an animatics display. -- Paul Gaita

Editorial
Synopsis

East meets West, and ancient myth meets modernity in this creature feature from Korean director Hyung Rae Shim (REPTILIAN). A TV news reporter (Jason Behr, SKINWALKERS), an antiques dealer (Robert Forster, FIREWALL), and a beautiful young woman (Amanda Brooks) all play a role in an old Korean legend coming to life. A giant snake is slithering its way through the streets of Los Angeles, and the trio must keep it from reuniting with an ancient spirit that will turn it into an evil, even more destructive dragon. DRAGON WARS is a throwback to classic monster movies, but this time around, there are much better special effects than audiences saw in those films from both Japan and the U.S. DRAGON WARS follows hot on the heels of fellow Korean monster movie THE HOST and features an impressive amount of action, as well as incorporating nods to creature feature favourites such as KING KONG and GODZILLA.

Almost great
Review date: 2008-08-23 Rating: 8 out of 10


I don't know why this movie is getting such bad reviews. Man, do you really think that a film named Dragon Wars is going to win an Oscar? An apparent 75million dollars was spent making this, which I'll agree sounds a bit suspicious considering it's just a big shoot-em-up B-movie. Still, shame on the people who bout the DVD just because it mentioned a massive budget in the blurb.

The writers have tried to create some kind of long and complicated plot-line / back-story, but it's not that important... Basically, a load of dragons attack a city. The effects are pretty good, but sometimes they look a bit off- which is understandable though, as they take up about half the running time. There are a few half-famous faces on show here too, who play their roles quite well.

While not being in the same league as King Kong, but also not sinking to the level of AvP2: Requiem, Dragon Wars sits comfortably in the middle: it's not great, but it's certainly not terrible, either.


Similar Products

Reviews


Could have been great
Review date: 2008-08-21 Rating: 6 out of 10

The SFX were great, the concept was great, the script was not with a cast that was... well barely a cast. I thought this was going to be a hit when i saw the trailers well seems I was wrong but the animations and visual effects are the only redeeming feature maybe next time they just have Dragons that may be a bit more interesting.

This is not a B Movie hence Awful
Review date: 2008-08-17 Rating: 2 out of 10

I am going to be breif,
Don't be taken in by the it's a B Movie so what do you expect. This movie cost over $75 million Dollars to make, B movies rarely get £10 million. That said if it was a B-movie it would still be awful.
One positive the special effects are excellent. Other than that,
Poor script/screenplay
Poor story
Poor directing
Poorly produced
Dire acting
Avoid, avoid, avoid.


View On What?
Review date: 2008-08-08 Rating: 2 out of 10

I HAVE YET TO WATCH THIS FILM ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT IT A FEW WEEKS AGO

I BUY films to watch on my laptop when I spend weeks away from home and get bored, so I was most upset to find that this film would not play EITHER on my Laptop or PC or (when I returned home) even my TV with built in DVD player!!!!!

I am going to get my old cheap DVD player out of the attic and if it doesn't play on that they can have it back!!!

IF THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE NEW COPY WRITE LAWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PLAY THEN SONY (THE MAKERS) ARE INFRINGING ON MY STATUTORY RIGHTS AND I WILL NOT BUY ANY SONY PRODUCT AGAIN!!

A strange movie
Review date: 2008-08-04 Rating: 6 out of 10

A mix between an oriental monsters and legends movie and an US action b-movie. A good plot (if you like these films) and decent action scenes. Not a masterpiece, but with a bigger cast (and a "skilled" director) they could make a "real" good film

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Amanda Brooks
Jason Behr
Robert Foster
Elizabeth Pena
Craig Robinson

Creators:
Jason Behr (Primary Contributor)
Amanda Brooks (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822217331
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-05-19
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 86 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional