DVD : Eragon (2 disc) [2006]

Rating: - dont really like
i never really liked this film. compared to the book, it was horrible. i mean,they cut out a whole desert in the process, changed the order of events, and virtually destroyed the chance of book 2 bieng done! the whole point of book 2 was that he was a cripple! if you have not read the book, it is not that bad. but i hated it.

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Rating: - Special effects cannot make up for the screenplay
I am a huge fan of the eragon books. I am currently reading the two books (eragon and eldest) for the 3rd time and still enjoying them as much as I did the first time(can't wait for Brisingr, coming out in America September 20th). When I heard about a film for these books I was very excited. I would have seen the film in the cinema but the poor reviews put me off. When the DvDs came out I decided to review the film for myself.

Good points
I thought this film is technically accomplished, the special effects are brilliant. Saphria is amazing, the best dragon I have ever seen. The battle of farthen Dur at the end is also very good. The actors do a reasonable job, with Jeremoy Irons (Brom) and Ed Speelers (eragon) a cut above the others

Bad points
The screenplay is aboustloutly terrible. It feels like the script was rushed and couldn't be checked over. There is almost nothing from the book. I can understand that they will cut down some parts from the book when making movies but this was just an abomination. They missed out solemnbum's advice and Angela's prophecy, which are some of the most important bits in the first book.

Overall I would have this film. Not the best film in this genre but undeserving of the brutal reviews it got. Good for a night in but if you're looking for the real eragon, stick to the book.

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Rating: - The worst book adaptation I have ever witnessed.
This film was a complete atrocity. Not only were key storylines altered and some of the most interesting and developable characters missed out (Sonnenbum, anyone?), the acting was poor and, in my opinion, many of the actors were terribly unsuitable.
For one, Eragon was supposed to be a simple country lad. He shouldn't speak posh! His uncle didn't speak posh, did he? Just because we all know he's going to become a hero and save the day doesn't mean you have to give him a completely illogical accent. And what was the deal with the way Saphira just suddenly grew to about ten times her size? Were the filmakers incapable of representing the passage of time? This is an epic story and they made it appear as if it took place over a matter of days.
In addition, why did they try to develop a romance between Arya and Eragon? In the book, it is made very clear that although Eragon pursues Arya, she is completely out of his league and has no romantic interest in him. Why did they feel a need to try to turn this fantasy into a completely cheesy romantic mush?
I can hardly bear anticipate the disaster that Eldest will no doubt be.

Although Murtagh was awesome.

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Rating: - mtm
While this film does not follow the book as closly as it could and some of the acting was poor, the special effects were great, and the story while it may be a bit repative of some other storylines, how much these days is completly orginal. This film is my favoirte film, and I have now watched it 10 times in the last 6 months. The sound track is also amazing.

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Rating: - Enjoyable but no classic
As a film it is an enjoyable watch, but if you've read the book........well then it is a bit thin.

Rent it - don't buy it.