This review contains spoilers for this film (duh) and for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
I could talk for hours about this film but I won't because it doesn't deserve it from anyone.
A film is known as the Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King, Ring of Nibelungs, Die Nibelungen (in Germany), Curse of the Ring, and The Sword of Xanten is a soft adaptation of two very famous Norse myths about Siegfried the Dragon-Slayer. I don't know how closely it follows those two but visually it's simply put a "The Lord of the Rings" rip-off.
The story is just a generic fantasy video-game story; that also goes for the characters and music.
The production seems not that bad. The CGI dragon from 2004 looks fairly believable in some scenes (when it gets stabbed from behind and it starts roaring and drooling everywhere) but the real problem is its design which is a mix of iguana, a European dragon, and the predator (when it opens it's mouth) from "Predator". I guess that's better than just having a plain-looking everyday dragon... The rest of the visual effects range from solid to bad (practical dragon head looks two or three times smaller from the firstly seen, CGI one). Whenever there's a huge army, it is either shown at night with brightness set to 0 or in the background, out of focus and super blurred.
Acting is not the worst having some famous actors and even a rising star (Robert Pattinson). Writing is of similar quality. Directing is very similar in style to LOTR but low-budget. The main character is trying to pull off an Aragorn (Viggo's way). Just listen to him yelling in his high-pitched voice which sounds laughably bad. He has the chin dimple and everything. Except he doesn't. No charm, no scruffy beard, and a terrible haircut. He also goes naked in a couple of scenes which doesn't help him for he is no Arnold... He has princeling-looking hair but he's a blacksmith.
There are many scenes and shots almost identical to some LOTR counterparts. A kid similarly reveals an army like Denethor when he finds out that Faramir is dying. A great mythological enemy is introduced and we get a close-up of a character looking at the creature with respect, admiration, and fear (Siegfried looking at the dragon = Legolas looking at the Balrog). Siegfried's mum is shot with arrows in the back and she dies floating down a river which is almost identical to when Isildur is betrayed by the one ring. Siegfried and his foster-father see a raided burning village in the distance from a boat and everything just screams the three hunters (LOTR) witnessing Umbar ships destruction of the nearby settlement. There is also a place similar to the mines of Moria and an army of death (jokingly named) which looks awful.
Despite all that, this movie could've gotten a higher grade if the main characters were cast better.
The main reason being is that it's fun! There is a healthy amount of action which is surprisingly well-done in some scenes. Similar to LOTR but more whimsical.
I've watched it as two movies. The first one is more energetic and B movie-esque. The second one takes itself too seriously, has a darker tone, and ends tragically. My favorite scene from both is when the dragon dies and its blood draws creatures and breathes life into everything in the vicinity. It's a visual storytelling bit that is pretty beautiful. Actually, a lot of scenes surrounding the dragon are interestingly crafted.
This is a film that blatantly tried to cash in on LOTR's fame. Although a clear copycat visually, the myth it's based upon "Nibelungenlied" has greatly inspired Tolkien so I'll cut it some slack because of that.
It is a great film if you compare it to the films similar to it made by the master himself Uwe Boll. So watch it like that; a cheapish B movie fantasy that has a lot to give if you let it.
P. S. I lied about this being a quick review. Sorry, not sorry.
I could talk for hours about this film but I won't because it doesn't deserve it from anyone.
A film is known as the Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King, Ring of Nibelungs, Die Nibelungen (in Germany), Curse of the Ring, and The Sword of Xanten is a soft adaptation of two very famous Norse myths about Siegfried the Dragon-Slayer. I don't know how closely it follows those two but visually it's simply put a "The Lord of the Rings" rip-off.
The story is just a generic fantasy video-game story; that also goes for the characters and music.
The production seems not that bad. The CGI dragon from 2004 looks fairly believable in some scenes (when it gets stabbed from behind and it starts roaring and drooling everywhere) but the real problem is its design which is a mix of iguana, a European dragon, and the predator (when it opens it's mouth) from "Predator". I guess that's better than just having a plain-looking everyday dragon... The rest of the visual effects range from solid to bad (practical dragon head looks two or three times smaller from the firstly seen, CGI one). Whenever there's a huge army, it is either shown at night with brightness set to 0 or in the background, out of focus and super blurred.
Acting is not the worst having some famous actors and even a rising star (Robert Pattinson). Writing is of similar quality. Directing is very similar in style to LOTR but low-budget. The main character is trying to pull off an Aragorn (Viggo's way). Just listen to him yelling in his high-pitched voice which sounds laughably bad. He has the chin dimple and everything. Except he doesn't. No charm, no scruffy beard, and a terrible haircut. He also goes naked in a couple of scenes which doesn't help him for he is no Arnold... He has princeling-looking hair but he's a blacksmith.
There are many scenes and shots almost identical to some LOTR counterparts. A kid similarly reveals an army like Denethor when he finds out that Faramir is dying. A great mythological enemy is introduced and we get a close-up of a character looking at the creature with respect, admiration, and fear (Siegfried looking at the dragon = Legolas looking at the Balrog). Siegfried's mum is shot with arrows in the back and she dies floating down a river which is almost identical to when Isildur is betrayed by the one ring. Siegfried and his foster-father see a raided burning village in the distance from a boat and everything just screams the three hunters (LOTR) witnessing Umbar ships destruction of the nearby settlement. There is also a place similar to the mines of Moria and an army of death (jokingly named) which looks awful.
Despite all that, this movie could've gotten a higher grade if the main characters were cast better.
The main reason being is that it's fun! There is a healthy amount of action which is surprisingly well-done in some scenes. Similar to LOTR but more whimsical.
I've watched it as two movies. The first one is more energetic and B movie-esque. The second one takes itself too seriously, has a darker tone, and ends tragically. My favorite scene from both is when the dragon dies and its blood draws creatures and breathes life into everything in the vicinity. It's a visual storytelling bit that is pretty beautiful. Actually, a lot of scenes surrounding the dragon are interestingly crafted.
This is a film that blatantly tried to cash in on LOTR's fame. Although a clear copycat visually, the myth it's based upon "Nibelungenlied" has greatly inspired Tolkien so I'll cut it some slack because of that.
It is a great film if you compare it to the films similar to it made by the master himself Uwe Boll. So watch it like that; a cheapish B movie fantasy that has a lot to give if you let it.
P. S. I lied about this being a quick review. Sorry, not sorry.