On - drakon

Is this the "best" movie ever(?)... no! However (because my English grammar school teacher informed me never to start a sentence with 'But'), it does remind you that storytelling isn't a lost art.

This is a beautiful fable; a fantasy (like 'Never Ending Story') that you can be a part of. You know what's coming; you know what happens next... but you want to see the creators 'tell' the story. Love isn't lost...

It would be so easy to overlook this movie. The trailer alone is enough to turn you off as being a predictable sweet romance. It is that. But then it isn't. There's a simplicity and beauty and .... dare I say it ....humility to this movie that is quite simply captivating. It's disarming in its simplicity. It's beautifully filmed, beautifully acted and the music is magical. There are beautiful films that almost seem to parade their beauty: Look at me, they proclaim, look how gorgeous I am. There is none of that in this movie. It simply is. Unpretentious, yet moving. I would say this baby sister to the big sister charm of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. And that is a credit to both films - so completely different though they are.

An innocent and naive, but very sincere and simple. Very emotional if you are able to connect with it. The music by Jenia Lubich is something else! It really does take to some place else.

Overall if you like romantic, a bit childish but beautiful stories, also with a strong moral - this one is for you))

(Please note: this review is by someone unfamiliar with Russian language, film industry, and ignorant of Russian folklore, fairy-tales, etc., lured into watching by the Beauty-and-the-Beast-like trailer without subtitles) Production design: sumptuous. Cast: enchanting. Artistic direction: magical. Script: at times witty with depth, not undermined by the lavish set and costumes. Pace: just right. Background music: soul-stirringly moving. Perfect film for cuddling with beloved, sharing with fellow romantics, and watching again. And again. (Personally, I enjoyed it even more when I re-watched without subtitles, and this is the first time ever I've done for a language I can't understand)

On Drakon is actually quite good. The whole mythology was well crafted and nicely presented. The settings and costumes helped a lot with it, as they looked original and not cheap. The CGI were decent and did not ruin it too. As for the story, was pretty nice, predictable, but had the fairy tale feeling to it throughout it. The performances were good too.