Dragonheart : A New Beginning (2001)

FANTASY: (2001, NR.) A novice learns of a dragon hatchling being raised in his monastery. Geoff steals a key to a dungeon where meets the young talking dragon, Drake. Meanwhile, Master Quan, a Chinese, and his daughter arrive at the monastery to help prevent evil taking over the dragon when a comet passes overhead. After being turned away at the monastery, they meet with Lord Osrikk, the King’s advisor who tells them to leave the country. Geoff meets the haughty Roland who defeats him in a sword fight. Geoff discovers the dragon can’t fly. When Goeff is caught without his required tunic, Quan and his daughter, save him. When Osrik’s man pushes him off a cliff, the Dragon saves him, but everyone now knows that he exists. Osrik tries to make friends with the dragon. The dragon passes Quan’s test and proves he’s not evil. Osrik plans to take over the kingdom with the dragon’s help. He sends everyone to fight a border war. When Osrik is injured, Geoff asks the dragon to share his heart with Osrik so he can live. This turns out to be a trick by Osrik. Osrik kills Quan; Lien turns out to be a princess. Osrik turns out to be a cursed dragon who turns against serving humans. He transforms into a dragon and fights with Drake. Osrik is defeated. Geoff is killed, but Drake shares his heart so he can live again.

VIOLENCE/SCARINESS: A skeleton in a dungeon. One of the old monks, the dragon’s caretaker, dies (off-screen). Sword and martial arts fighting. The dragon eats a cow off-screen. Osrik’s men try to beat up and kidnap Quan, but get a monk instead. Osrik murders one of his men for making a mistake. A few genital attacks. Osrik kills several men with swords in a rather brutal manner. An excised dragon heart begins beating.

CRIMES: Kidnapping (P), Murder (P).

MORALS, ISSUES & VALUES: Simple good versus evil. A boy rises above his station. In China dragons and hemans live in peace. The Chinese are portrayed without stereotype and as a source of great wisdom. Lord Osrik rejects Quan because he a foreigner. Geoff wants desperately to be a knight; he is even willing to give up friendship. Geoff’s drive to become a knight overpowers his good judgment. People have killed all the other dragons from fear; they are an endangered species. Resurrection through magic. According to the film: The old code should live on into the future. Ancient prophecies turn out to be correct.

SEXUALITY & GENDER ISSUES: Contemporary gender roles. Lien is a very competent martial arts expert. The dragon has fiery flatulence. They teach each other to spit. One man has his face pushed into cow manure. An old man is a competent martial arts expert. A monk runs around in his underwear.

SUBSTANCES: Wine with banquets. Osrik uses a drug to drive people insane and ineffective. Quan brews an antidote.

COMMENTS: Made for TV. A silly-sounding dragon spoils beautiful landscapes and locations. What could have been a fun fantasy film for kids of all ages is ruined by some quite violent killings. Of limited interest to families. (Reviewed Apr 2002)

STARRING: Chris Masterson, Harry Van Gorkum, Rona Figueroa, Matt Hickey, Henry O, Tom Burke, Ken Shorter, John Woodnutt, and the voice of Bobby Benson.

ALTERNATES: The original, “Dragonheart,” is a better film.