Jesper Brun
Story triumphs visuals! I say that all the time and this one is no exception. A classic fantasy tale with dragons, wizards, magic and so on with James Earl Jones voicing the milicicious Oamadon with his booming voice, brilliant!. Told at an engaging tempo with great sense of atmosphere. The animation is its weak spot, but unless you are sensitive to that technical aspect, you will be absorbed in the well told story and the great characters. It has a clever twist of science vs. magic which I didn't like in the first place, but adjusted to with time. A great fantasy adventure for all ages.
bfsr81
I first rented this movie when I was 4/5 years old in Betamax tape. I recall I rented it so many times despite my mom didn't like it that finally Santa brought it for me. It is one of the most influential movies in my lifetime.This movie is perfect and suitable for all ages, younger members of the family will enjoy its characters, action and adventures while old persons would enjoy the plot, philosophy, acting and scientific interpretations. The animation is quite different than Disney or Manga films but remains beautiful and full of style. Same applies for music.This movie might be scary for young sissy kids but has no weaknesses at all. Deep inside I believe this movie has influenced a lot Peter Jackson lord of the rings filming. In my opinion this is the best Dragons movies ever made, one of the best animated movies and one of the best fantasy movies also ever made. It is very surprising that this has not been filmed with real actors yet. If you are extremely looking for a lovely story, with musicals like a Disney movie type don't approach it, this is not your movie. If you like fantasy, epic battles, dragons, quests, hobbits, dwarfs, magic, sci-fic ... etc. This movie has it all and deserves a 10. This movie is a lord of the ring//willow//never ending story// dragon slayer ...etc. type - but animated - and guess what ?!! It is probably one of the best within its genre (Only Lord of the rings is at its level and was filmed more than 20 years later !!!).
sol-
Concerned about the prospects of logic and magic existing side-by-side in harmony, a Medieval wizard summons the help of a twentieth century board gamer inventor who believes in dragons in this popular animated feature film. The movie is adapted from two separate books about dragons: one that speculates the existence of dragons and their biology, and the other a more straightforward fantasy adventure yarn. Memorable as many of the action sequences are, the film is at its best when channeling the more speculative book. The pseudoscience behind dragons, how they breath fire and how they fly is endlessly fascinating. The film also crosses some curious science fiction territory as the game board inventor also gets to experience how a dragon mind works after the wizard accidentally melds him with a dragon. The vast majority of the film though channels the adventure tale, which is significantly less interesting, especially as the characters keep droning on about science versus magic. That said, the film offers some thought-provoking notions in terms of the role of magic in human evolution, such as the idea that television screens were inspired by the crystal balls of fortune tellers and that planes resulted from fairies inspiring humankind to consider flight. The film benefits from some decent vocal work too. Only Harry Morgan disappoints due to the distinctive nature of his voice; he always sounds like Col. Potter from 'M*A*S*H'. James Earl Jones is especially good as the chief villain and John Ritter is perfect as the easily excited protagonist.
Shin Obi
If you think this is a cartoon for kids, then your in for a surprise, its every part the adults fighting fantasy that every dungeons and dragons epic was. But its done in such a way that any family member can watch.The acting and cast is first grade without the ridiculous accents that cheap actors cant shake off and don't seem to want to when voice acting. Its sad that the world of Disney has cheapened the animation genre with over the top cheesy adaptations making monstrosities of classic tales and even factual histories into pop up musicals. Then people discovered Manga which was soon ruined by excessive nudity and cheap sex sells titles. I'm glad to say this timeless "flight of dragons" brings back animation and "art" to the level deserving of mass viewing.As with all stories, it must be believable and amazing at the same time, without being predictable. You must have guessed I'm a sceptic since decades of disappointing films, movies and cartoons. But Flight of Dragons has lasted 30 years strong, and now my children watch it and everyone I introduced this animation to has passed it on too. And no matter how many times I watch it, I am always captivated by the swooping musical score and the sincerity of the way Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr want to transport you to their love of the books they have an obvious fanaticism to. I hope unlike G.Lucas and Steve.S they will keep their cast of expert animators and artists.
AD
