Dragon Hunters

We got this movie at the library because of the word 'dragon' in the title when my daughter was probably 5. Watching it, I was slightly concerned by some of the language (nothing bad, but perhaps better suited for older kids?) and potentially odd or scary situations (culminating at the end with a dragon made of bones). But my daughter totally loved it and was not scared (except perhaps by a quick encounter of a mad knight... she was much more scared by movies like Snow White where there are evil people, but not by worlds that are clearly fantastical and where the heroes don't suffer). She asked to watch it again and again and after borrowing it many times I felt I should really pay the authors and bought a copy (a no-brainer given the low price). Six years later, we still watch it from time to time.As a grownup, I was fascinated by the fantastic world shown in the movie, for example the funny fight against a giant caterpillar around a micro-planet not much bigger than a rock. In such a fantastic world made of floating chunks, I thought there would a complex plot, but later realized that this is the classic and simpler literary form of the quest, where the heroes need to go from A to B and encounter many, possibly unrelated, difficulties along the way. By the time they conquer their final goal, each of the three main characters discovers that the voyage changed them and made them grow inside.This is a movie that could only be made by French artists for its strong blend of cultures. In the visual artwork, I saw echoes of Cordoba's cathedral, Roman ruins and the Great Wall of China. The classic plot merges with modern themes and French humor. The music is really beautiful and multicultural (ethnic and electronic instruments) and the characters and settings look like a combination of Japanese Anime and Pixar movies.Overall, this animation is a little gem that deserves to be seen by more people.

Animation is hard because (a) the characters have even less time and human nuances with which to develop actual character, much less engage in character development, and (b) because directors and writers seem to believe that a few stock hints will suffice to create a believable character. This movie avoids those traps and delivers a surprisingly well-done plot and film.This movie is not just well-animated (it is), not just visually detailed and plainly gorgeous (it is). The characters are actually interesting and placed into an interesting and slightly surreal plot and universe. The combination is amazing.I watched it with my daughters (6 and 8). Generally acceptable, although one species of dragon engages in self-propulsion through its backside emissions and the worst language in the film occurs when one of the characters calls another a "bu**wipe". There are a few booger references. Additionally, two or three times during the film the sidekick dog-like character of the protagonist quartet demonstrates its ability to start a fire with its urine. I'm not fond of potty humor (especially with the risk that my 6 year old will sing out lines from the movie for days) but while it's there it's much more minimized than the Shrek movies. If your little girl dreams of being a princess who also goes on quests and helps fight dragons, they'll love this movie. Likewise, the main protagonist is an admirable hero who grows throughout the movie and would provide an excellent dragonslayer motif for boys.Bottom line is that this movie is a keeper. After I finished watching it with my daughters, my wife got home from the gym and, after putting the kids to bed, I watched it again with my wife. Notably, my wife also thought it was excellent, again commenting on character development and the extraordinary scenery and animation. Not as amazing as some of the best Japanese anime, but well worth watching.

When I first saw this movie I about fell out of my seat laughing at the rocket powered pigs.

I have never even heard of this movie until last week from watching the STARZ network (being that it's free for a year with their anniversary). I don't want to sound like a nerd but I cannot believe I have never heard of this animated movie before! I thought I have seen all the good ones (mainly Disney/Pixar, animes, etc) but this one really amazed me. Even my husband who usually isn't into animated films unless he has to watch one with our 4 yr old was very impressed. The story is pretty neat and similar to most "kill the dragon save the world" stuff. What sets it apart was that it was truly visually amazing ( comparable to Avatar ) especially in HD and the musical score that accompanies it was quiet perfect. This movie had some heart, although the side-kick character tended to annoy me some, but Forrest Whitaker was great. I loved it so much I had to go buy the Blu Ray IMMEDIATELY ( you really can't beat the price of below $10!!!) and I cannot wait to eventually share it with my daughter and the rest of my family. I really do think it's a must BLU RAY/SURROUND SOUND/minimum 52" 1080 screen...just for the WOW factor alone! Ok, that's it for my nerd rantings. Simply a must-seeUPDATE:P.S. I don't think this is for the kids (as in 10 and under). A lot of the dialogue are a little bit too mature for the younger ones, and the story line will probably bore them some. When I saw this movie, I had no distractions, therefore it helped me enjoy it a bit more than I normally would.

In response to Impgreene, when I saw this film (which is better in french, better have subtitles than dubbed: like (I think) the french translation of the how to train your dragon books translates Snotlout as Rustic (Rustic!) it is this sort of flatness/difference: and Zoe's piping singing voice in French is an equivalent 'lift' too - but I digress).What I saw was a journey like today. What happens when there is threat too big to take in, when the world is fragmented and nothing works anymore, nothing is peaceable, hope doesn't seem to be available and you are ineffectively thrashing around without purchase. Then you find something worthwhile even if that isn't evident either, and things carry on and come into play, you find there are things to be done and a team to work with. You find that the disasters of the past have actually informed you and even given you tools to meet today's reality, and so you do, and love for your companions goads you to really do or die in the attempt for them, in the immediacy of just trying to save them (or maybe you are just hanging in there relying on your team, buying time). Trying again and again and again.And you manage. God. A miracle. Everything changes. And it is love not money that is the defining factor and rich enough - tho love brings in the money: which is another 'miracle' and somehow poised between shock and laughter; and practically welcome.These sorts of reflections can come afterwards - go with the story!Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. What a possibility to keep in mind.

I always wondered if James Cameron got the idea of floating islands for Avatar from here. The physics of this world is amazing....and dangerous! The pace is good with no hold on the amazing animation. Great story telling and a suitable finale! A class act!

Whats not to like?2 "Dragon hunters", and a blue dragon(?) who fight lots of different dragons (and never get paid) are tasked with a quest to save the world.A small girl, who believes them to be like her Heroes from comic books follows them and watches while they inexpertly manage to survive large numbers of terrifying dragons.This film was great, I enjoyed it, the kids enjoyed it ... It's not the fastest film out there, but it's also got heavy action sequences in it, and quite a few laughs.I read in another review that this was dubbed from the French version, but to be honest I couldn't have told.

This is a very underrated film - and many people may not even have heard of it. But its really well crafted and with a good story that's not just about all the thrills and spills.

Great movie for the kids. I liked it too.