Les chroniques du dragon

Right now eight people have rated this movie at 8.8. Believe me, it's nowhere near that good. I'm suspecting that, the others having seen a lot of dreck on the Sci-Fi Channel, are actually floored by mere competence.

What F&I has going for it is a coherent plot, good sets, decent photography and likable characters. What's going against it is a formula script and adequate-to-poor special effects. The dragons do their job, if not always imaginatively but the really laughable creatures are some orc-type walking bushes called the Forest People. Fortunately their two appears are brief.

Also too brief is John Rhys-Davies performance as the hero's mentor, predictably the best in the film. The reluctant hero (Tom Wisdom) and plucky heroine (Amy Acker) are adequate and easy to watch. The rest of the performances are by-the-numbers, though none outstandingly bad.

The best way to enjoy this movie would be to skip to the last half-hour, specifically to the final hero-versus-dragon battle. When that's over, you can turn it off.

I'm giving this a 7 which I consider Average, could it have been better, well yes and yet for a Sci-Fi Saturday Night offering it could have been much worse. I've actually watched this a few times now the plot while predictable, is still enjoyable. Production values are better than a list of these movies in the Saturday Night offering from this network. The main actors are adequate and handle the material quite well without being over the top or just phoning in their performance. Some stylish camera work and lush color palette add to the Fantasy of the Film, from Director Pitoff who also helmed Catwoman, and was visual effects director on classics like Alien Resurrection, City of Lost Children. The Dragons CGI work is very good while lacking in some respects I have seen far worse on bigger budget movies, and its worth mentioning this movie had a Three Million dollar budget at the time the largest ever for a Romanian Film Production. So one lazy afternoon or late night you find this on Cable its worth a watch and if its in the bargain bin at your local entertainment store I'd pick it up. Fairly Kid Friendly too and they have far better imaginations and are much more forgiving that we. It's been 4 years since I reviewed this movie and here I sit watching it again, why? Because like wine this film gets better with age, for the fantasy dragons genre definitely better than others that have come out since it's original release.

I was interested in seeing Fire and Ice, as it did have an intriguing premise, but I was also dubious. Actually, Fire and Ice is a movie that have both been better and worse, not bad but not good. Its good points are the reasonably attractive photography, the well-done and animated dragons, good scenery/sets and charismatic performances from Arnold Vosloo and John Rhys-Davies. On the other hand, Fire and Ice also has its bad points, and they are often dull action sequences where little interesting happens and are clumsily executed in choreography, a stilted, corny script that holds few surprises, a predictable story that for a film of this genre lacks wonder and thrills, characters that generally you don't just engage with because they are either underdeveloped or on the irritating side and the remainder of the acting coming across as rather wooden. Overall, very average for me. 5/10 Bethany Cox

This film seems more geared towards the younger audiences - which is fine with me - it's not a heavy or intricately detailed story... it's easy to follow. I agree with others that the film isn't as good as expected but it's certainly not a bad watch!! I had quite a relaxing time watching the film - joyful!

7/10

I think it's a shame seeing someone like Amy Acker in something that surely flies under most peoples radar. A talented actress but if she doesn't get cast in much, of course she has to take upon roles like this. And it probably was fun to shoot (costumes and all), but really does not sum up to much.

Even with some of her better known co stars (like Vosloo, Rhys Davies) this does not elevate (no pun intended) above a certain fun factor some may have while watching it. CGI really is not worth mentioning, but then again this is as low budget as they come. Make of it whatever you want to .. but don't expect it to be something it isn't