Watch Dragonheart

In the mysterious land of the Middle Ages, a dragon named Draco (voiced by Sean Connery) is thought to be the last of his kind. He possess an extraordinary power, he can speak and is more humane than any human. Bowen (Dennis Quaid), a knight, and Draco unite against an evil king (David Thewlis), who is desperate to annihilate all dragons by deriving magical powers from the dragon heart. With the help of a young girl (Dina Meyer), they embark on an epic journey which ultimately changes their lives forever.

The film takes place in a mystical world full of wizards, magic, and dragons. Bowen, a leader of a group of knights, is known as a dragon slayer. He believes that dragons are vicious creatures, and the only way to protect people is to kill them. As the story unfolds, he differentiates between the truth and his own biases when he falls in with Draco. Bowen then learns about the life and purpose of dragons, leading him to view Draco as a friend and ally.

Meanwhile, King Einon has inherited his kingdom’s throne from his father, however, he is nothing like his father. He is aggressive, cruel and values power over anything else. Following a severe injury in battle, Einon is on his way to certain death when his mother (Julie Christie) takes him to a dragon they had captured recently. She strikes a deal with Draco, where she offers him his freedom in return for him transferring his heart to Einon, ultimately saving him. Draco hesitates, but he relents in the end and Einon makes a full recovery. Bowen, on the other hand, who was enraged by the conduct of the beast is bewildered when he sees that Einon and Draco are bonded.

Einon, who is stronger after Draco’s heart transfusion, begins bringing havoc to the kingdom. With power corrupting him, Einon becomes more aggressive, and Bowen is caught up in a dilemma thinking that he had killed the last dragon but now, Draco has survived with the capacity to speak and the ideals that counter Bowen's beliefs. Draco helps Bowen understand the values and the right ways of the world, leading to Bowen taking responsibility for his transgressions and joining Draco in saving the kingdom from Einon’s wrath.

The duo teams up with Kara, a peasant girl and creates a common cause to overthrow Einon's rule of tyranny. As expected, their quest for freedom does not turn out to be easy. The three of them are in for an adventure full of obstacles, battles, and treacherous magic. They encounter danger lurking around every turn, and the obstacles seem insurmountable. Through the journey, they uncover the reality of their friendship, one they never would have imagined possible before.

The heart of the film is the commendable Christopher Lambert screenplay, which is a mix of outstanding dialogues, exquisite acting, and intricate character development. The story has a nice balance of action, humor, and heart that makes it appealing to a broad audience. The acting is captivating, with Connery delivering a remarkable performance as Draco. He encapsulates the grandeur of a dragon while emphasizing the relatable and complex characteristics of the beast. Quaid, likewise, is impressive in a role which demands him to turn from dragon hunter to dragon defender, evolving through the story's arc.

The film's visual effects and the production team deserve much credit for their exceptional work reducing Draco's realism throughout the film. They used computer-generated imagery in a way that was groundbreaking at the time, producing a top-notch experience for viewers. The sets and landscapes are beautifully created to provide an immersive experience of the Middle Ages.

In conclusion, Dragonheart is a must-watch for all fantasy enthusiasts. It tells a story rich in imagery that is supported by excellent acting and film production. With a heartwarming message through its central characters, it has something to offer to a wide audience as it teaches us that not everything is black and white in this world. The journey of Bowen and the remarkable dragon, Draco, teaches us that sometimes we need to look beyond our predilections to learn about ourselves, our beliefs and what truly matters.

Dragonheart is a 1986 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 49.