Simply Perfect

Just perfect...

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Blistering performances.

George (James Purefoy) is returning home after the Crusade. He parts way with his Moorish friend Tarik (Michael Clarke Duncan) in France. Tarik encounters and beats legendary mercenary El Cabillo. Tarik becomes the new El Cabillo. George returns to his village to settle down. His father is an old comrade of King Edgaar (Simon Callow) and joins the quest to find his missing daughter Princess Lunna (Piper Perabo). Lunna is betrothed to the arrogant Garth (Patrick Swayze). Lunna was taken by a dragon who dies after laying an egg. She stays to guard the egg against the local Picts.This is a loosely reworked version of the medieval tale of Saint George and the Dragon. This is an odd unwieldy mix. It's violent but it's not good enough for any adults. The special effects and sets are lower quality. The action is not that good. I doubt kids would like this either. It turns jokey when George meets Lunna. It tries to be an action rom-com but it's tiresome.

This movie had the potential to be either brilliant or a disaster. It happens for me to be neither, but while flawed it is not a bad movie at all. The main problem is the editing, which is very bad in places, especially in the fight sequences. The CGI effects, especially the dragon, are rather substandard, though I have also seen worse. The pacing is a little rushed at times. And as much as I have liked Patrick Swayze in other films, he's unforgettable in Dirty Dancing, he sleepwalks through his role here. However, the rest of the acting is really quite good, James Purefoy is a charismatic hero and Piper Perabo exudes charm and spunk as the princess. Michael Clarke Duncan is also enjoyable, but I wish there was more of him. The costumes and sets are entrancing, giving a wondrous fantasy-adventure feel, while the score is sparkling. The script is witty and charming, and while genre clichés the characters on the whole are likable. The fight scenes while awkwardly edited are actually well choreographed. All in all, watchable movie but nothing outstanding. 6/10 Bethany Cox

The director didn't even bother to ask his actors for the most part to use European or English accents and that's just the first thing wrong with this farce. There seems to be a ideologically-motivated move in recent years to suggest Crusade Knights were morally enlightened towards their Muslim 'brothers', first we had Kingdom Of Heaven then Robin Hood and now George & The Dragon. The reality was a little different, the hatred of the Crusaders and it's people's against their enemies was legendary due to Muslim ambition, expansion and it's need to have Christian nations 'submit'.We have poor village children speaking the Queen's English (RP) as well as many other goofs including the statement that forks were a Middle Eastern invention (they originated in China in 2400 BC) I could go on and on but suffice to say it's a waste of your time and eminently unsuitable for children due to it's ideological revisionism.

But, mayhap, not quite enough "George." After all, it would seem the intent here was to upstage the "saint" and, in the process, demystify and dedemonize the "dragon," who, after all, is but a winged serpent, much less to be feared than the snake-oil peddlers ever in our midst and at our bosoms. That said, the wild and woolly offtakes on the hoary theme seems to this viewer more than amusing and less than misspent. As for not quite enough "George," more of him might have provided a more focused and pointed disambiguation. Moreover, if there is, today, a more persuasive and more engaging actor than James Purefoy, I, for one, would be delighted to witness the portrayal or performance. Given the chance, as in his Marc Antony in the HBO "Rome," this thespian could well play Adam in the Garden of Eden and upstage both serpent AND apple, whoever the Eve. That said, I thought the hatchling was charming, and Adelaide adequate. Just enough of both to make one anticipate George R. R. Martin's "A Dance With Dragons," if the man will ever complete same. Methinks he's come a cropper with the full exfoliation of his incredible and estimable "Ice and Fire" series. And why has no one even attempted a cinematic projection of this immense sci-fi saga?