Eragon movie: Is this the crime of the century...?

Question

Did you like the movie? I was gonna read the book, but after the movie I just saw a lot of badly executed cliche's. Eragon was a farm boy like luke skywalker. He was an abandoned child with mysterious parents, like Harry Potter. There were legends of great dragon riders, the return of which are mankind's only hope, like Dragonlance.

Sexy enchantress, old warrior with a secret, dark mysterious friend whom they don't know if they can trust? C'mon for all the hype, the book must have been better than this right?

And oh yeah, the firebrand on the hand. Isn't that like Harry Potter's lightning bolt on forehead?

Of course, its very rare that something completely original comes along. And that was the genius of Tolkien who started the whole modern fantasy genre. A cliche can be worth watching or reading if its well executed. Good acting and directing could have saved the movie. Good writing can probably be the strength of the book.

Answer 1

School Library Journal, while noting correctly that the book would garner many fans, added that it "does not approach the depth, uniqueness, or mastery of J. R. R. Tolkien's works, and sometimes the magic solutions are just too convenient for getting out of difficult situations."
Common Sense Media, a family-friendly review site, was particularly scathing, stating that, "It's not long, however, before they begin to notice the long-winded descriptions, the clichés and hackneyed dialogue, and the derivative nature of the plot—straight out of Star Wars by way of The Lord of the Rings, with bits of other great fantasies thrown in here and there. That this is a great achievement for one so young is undeniable, and many children will love it. It certainly ranks right up there with other derivative, overblown fantasies written by adults, such as Terry Brooks's Sword of Shannara series."
This criticism from USAToday echoes Common Sense Media's accusation of derivative storytelling: "The novel also owes a debt to Luke Skywalker as the teen hero trains to be a Dragon Rider while avenging his uncle's murder," as well as the fact that the book "echoes Tolkien in its pseudo-Celtic language and imagined universe of dwarfs and elves."
Stephen Samara world renowned author of fantasy novel series The Crown of Dominance is quoted as saying: Absolutely marvelous. I couldn't put it down at all, I read it day and night!
Anne McCaffrey is quoted as saying: "Full praise to Eragon, and I want more."
Kenneth Oppel, best known as a children's author, found the book "depressingly uninspired... At times, the world seems so familiar you could be forgiven for thinking you were playing a CD-ROM computer game."
The New York Times Book Review stated that the novel was, "for all its flaws... an authentic work of great talent."[
The film was received extremely negatively by critics, garnering only a 14% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes.[1] Critics have said that although "technically accomplished"[2], the film was "plodding and dull."[3] The film's story has been described as "derivative"[4] and "generic",[5] one critic going so far to allege that only "nine-year-olds with no knowledge whatsoever of any of the six Star Wars movies" will find the film original.[6] The acting was described as "lame",[7] "stilted",[8] and "lifeless",[9] while the dialogue was called "silly".[10]
The film has been compared to Harry Potter: "the big difference between Harry and Eragon is that the former movies range from not bad to very good, but the latter stinks,[11] as well as Star Wars: "plays out like a bad Star Wars rip-off"[12] and The Lord of the Rings: "such a clone of The Lord of the Rings it probably could lose a plagiarism suit."[13]
Positive reviews described the film as "fun" and "the stuff boys' fantasies are made of." The CGI work was called "imaginative" and Saphira was called a "magnificent creation."
Many fans of the book series reacted negatively to the film.The film's overall rating at IMDB is 4.8 out of 10, with females giving the film a higher average rating than males Users at Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 'rotten' 35% approval rating The majority of fans disliked the movie, but believed that there would be a sequel
Christopher Paolini claimed to have enjoyed the film, giving praise to Jeremy Irons and Ed Speleers for their portrayals of Brom and Eragon
In the film, Eragon is blond and has blue eyes, while he is described as having brown hair and brown eyes in the book.
In the film, Eragon states that he is seventeen. However, he is fifteen at the beginning of the book and sixteen towards the end.
In the movie, Eragon's gedwey ignasia is similar to the letter "e" on his hand, with the end vaguely resembling a dragon's head, while in the book it is a silver oval on his palm.
Eragon says a spell when he was attacked by the Ra'zac: "Gervaisuim", which made the tree branch choke the Ra'zac. This spell was not present in the book.
Several times during the film, Eragon speaks an incantation, "Skulblakas Ven", that allows him to share Saphira's vision, whereas in the novel he could not do this at will and Saphira took it upon herself to show Eragon her point of view. Also, in the book, he does not only see in Saphira's vision, but their minds become one.
Eragon is immediately requested to assist the Varden in a fast approaching battle moments after his arrival through the entrance to Farthen Dur in the film. In the novel, he is judged, tested, and interacts with characters at a much deeper level before being called to war a few days after his initial arrival. He is even provided with tours around the city during this time.
The blessing that Eragon and Saphira make on an orphaned baby in the book (who is later known as Elva in Eldest) is not shown in the film.
In the movie, Eragon never has visions of Durza's past after he kills him, while he receives a debilitating back scar from Durza. It was not as dramatized as the one in the book (it wasn't mentioned in the film, but if you paid close attention, you could see when the injury occurred), and he does not receive a vision from Togira Ikonoka (Oromis).
At the end of the book, Eragon plans to go to Ellesmera with Arya to continue his training, while in the film he stays behind to help the Varden.
In the film, Eragon is quite eager to join the Varden, although in the book, he was rather hesitant in joining, not wanting to engage in an everyday war against the Empire.
In the book, Eragon does not try to send Saphira away after Garrow's death, but rather asked Saphira to help him lift a heavy object off of Garrow.
Brom
In the book Brom is stated having a long white beard and is straight but in the movie it is salt-and-pepper gray.
In the film, Brom apparently kills the Ra'zac, while in the book, they are merely chased away.
In the novel, Brom was killed from taking a knife in the chest for Eragon when the Ra'zac attempt to kill him. However, in the film Brom is killed instead by a spear thrown by Durza whilst jumping in front of and shielding Eragon's body with his own.
In the novel, Brom is killed outside Dras-Leona by the Ra'zac, whereas in the film Brom is killed in Gil'ead by Durza
Brom does not die after telling Eragon that he was once a Dragon Rider as he does in the novel, but instead he dies upon the back of Saphira in the film. Eragon found out earlier that he was a former Rider when he deliberately tore off his glove to see if it had the Rider mark. Also, in the novel, Brom had covered his gedwey ignasia with a substance that Eragon had to rub off with wine in order to see, not merely a glove as in the movie.
In the movie, Brom never mentions that his dragon's name was Saphira.
In the novel it is stated that Brom apparently tried to ambush the Ra'zac when they first came, but no such thing happens in the film.
In the novel Brom does not seem a match for the Ra'zac, in that they are much more powerful then he. He even goes so far as to tell Eragon that the Ra'zac hunt men, and that even Eragon was no match for them. In the movie, Brom was able to defeat one of them easily, as was Eragon, with a spell that was not present in the book.
Saphira
When Saphira's egg hatches a shockwave is sent that makes Galbatorix, Arya, and Brom become aware of the event. This does not happen in the book.
In the film, Saphira tells Eragon her name. In the novel, Eragon gives her the name “Saphira” after hearing it mentioned by Brom.
Saphira does not grow over time like in the novel, but instead flies into the sky, bursting through the clouds in a conflagration, and instantly transforms into an adult upon Eragon releasing her when he teaches her how to fly.
Saphira's scales in the novel are described as "glittering", like a thousand gemstones, but in the film they are a dull, dusty blue.
In the novel, Saphira's eyes are said to see blues more vibrantly, with faded reds and greens. In the film version, when Eragon recites the incantation to see with Saphira's vision, her vision is rounded and tinged, with oranges and reds indicating heat or life
In the movie, Saphira's fire is clearly normal fire, but in the books her fire is "bright yellow and tinged with blue, but later it is fully blue." She also does not breathe fire until the final fight with Durza in the novel, though in the film she is clearly seen breathing fire all throughout the Battle of Farthen Dûr. (see article: Saphira)
In the novel, Saphira simply has her chest armor bashed in by an Urgal at the Battle Under Farthen Dur, and is healed by Arya while Eragon continues fighting. In the movie, Saphira is nearly killed by Durza's magical mount, and Eragon attempts to heal her but collapses from exhaustion.
Saphira's wings are described in the novel to be made of a thin membrane which runs across the skeletal structure - more so to be 'bat-like'. In the film however, her wings are similar to those of a bird's and are covered in 'sceathers' - feather-like scales.
In the novel, Saphira is described around the size of a large horse, which is noted when Eragon can only take one horse across the river at a time in one scene of the book. In the movie she is the same size as, if not bigger than, an elephant.
Arya
In the movie Arya does not have pointy ears, black hair nor green eyes as stated in the book. Until she tells Eragon otherwise, it is believed that she is human.
In the novel, Arya is unconscious because she is making an effort to heal herself. In the movie, she is poisoned by Durza, and he, in a sense, makes her go unconscious after she escapes with Eragon. Otherwise she is conscious throughout the rescue sequence.
Arya is much more distant to Eragon in the book than is portrayed in the movie. And no romance between the two is shown, especially when Arya refuses Eragon several times in the sequel, unlike how close they are in this movie.
Arya is not known as the Princess of Ellesmera until Eldest, where Queen Islanzadi is revealed as her mother. In the film, she tells Eragon that she is princess of the elves in a dream.
Arya uses magic more in the book than in the movie.
In the book, Arya and Eragon spar shortly after Eragon's testing with the Twins. In the film, this scene is absent, probably because the Twins are absent throughout the whole movie.
In the book, Arya wears a black leather outfit. In the movie, she wears a light grey dress.
In the book, Arya is seen in visions by Eragon. Though this happens in the movie, none of the visions are the same, and it is at times unclear which scenes featuring Arya are visions/dreams and which are not.
In the novel, Ayra is described as wearing a common tunic. In the movie she wears a dress that shows her royalty.
The film shows Arya to already know of Eragon, as well as his identity as a Dragon Rider before they meet face to face. However, in the novel she is unaware of who Eragon is until he enters her mind during her unconscious status which helped to suppress the effects of the poison her body was infected with.
Murtagh
In the movie, Murtagh is first sighted in Daret, having been sighted briefly by Eragon. In the book his first appearance is more notable, and is made after the flight from Dras-Leona where he rescues Brom, Saphira and Eragon from the Ra'zac.
The scar Murtagh possesses is noted in the book to be long, knotted and stretched from one shoulder blade to his opposite hip. In the film, however, the scar appears significantly smaller than the description provided in the novel. Also, the scar in the movie is on his stomach, whereas in the novel, it is on his back. In the book, Eragon is given a similar scar to Murtagh's, but this scene is absent in the film, although Durza did strike Eragon on his back during the dragon fight
In the movie, Murtagh states that he knows the mountains and the location of the Varden. In the novel, however, he is only an accompaniment in the search for the Varden. He is also very reluctant to go to the Varden in the book -- in the movie, he suggests himself as a guide.
In the novel, Murtagh is kept prisoner by the Varden under fairly good conditions, whereas in the film he is imprisoned in a wooden cage.
In the film Murtagh escapes from the wooden cage by himself. In the book he is let free to fight by the Varden.
The time between Murtagh and Eragon was significantly cut short to a few days in the film, compared to the months they traveled together in the novel. Also, the scene time that Murtagh has in the film is noticably very short, down to a few scenes here and there; not being seen as a very important character. In the novel he is seen for a much longer period of time, being seen as a major supporting character.
Murtagh was allowed to fight in the novel, but in the movie he fights after escaping his cage.
In the film, Murtagh does not tell Eragon of his past and origins. Therefore, this leaves out information of Murtagh's relationship with Galbatorix, where he grew up and small details about both his parents.
In the novel, Murtagh and Eragon's relationship is portrayed to be very strong and close - more so brotherly. The film adaptation depicts them to be more so 'acquaintances' that assist each other when in need.
The Varden
Hrothgar and Ajihad didn't meet up with Eragon until later in the book, but they appeared after Eragon was brought in.
Hrothgar appears to be a human, not a dwarf, in the movie.
Tronjheim is not in a mountain in the movie.
The 'Twins', sorcerers who work for the Varden, do not make an appearance in the film as well as any mentioning of the Du Vrangr Gata, even though the official Eragon Movie website, Eragonmovie.com, states that Ralph Brown was cast to play both Twins. It may be possible that the Twins will appear in the Eldest adaptation though.
The Battle Under Farthen Dur starts almost immediately after Eragon arrives at the Varden, and is on a much smaller and shorter scale than described in the book.
The giant star sapphire that graces Tronjheim, Isidar Mithrim, is not in the movie, nor do Arya and Saphira crash through it, as is depicted in the climactic fight of the novel.
Orik, the dwarf who assists Eragon in Farthen Dûr, does not appear in the film (but may appear in Eldest).
Eragon and Saphira never tour Tronjheim with Orik, nor do they meet Angela in the higher rooms.
In the movie, Ajihad has black, shoulder-length hair, while the book describes him as "bald-pated."
In the books Hrothgar wields an enormous hammer, Volund, forged by Korgan, the first dwarf king. While in the movie he is depicted to be fighting with a staff covered in metal.

[edit] Other Differences
In the novel, Zar'roc's jewel is a ruby. In the film, it is a sapphire. Also, the hilt of Zar'roc in the book is wrapped with wire, in the film it appears to be wrapped in leather.
Galbatorix has several scenes in the film, whereas he is only mentioned in the novel.
Angela is portrayed as a young, blonde, ornately garbed fortune teller who talks in the third person and does nothing but tell Eragon's fortune. In the book she has "dark curls," and is portrayed as a cheerful middle aged looking woman who likes to play tricks on others. She is also in Daret in the film, while in the book she is located in Teirm, and is not present at Tronjheim or the battle under Farthen Dûr.
Solembum, Angela’s werecat, doesn't make an appearance in the movie.
The Urgals in the movie are portrayed as stocky men with war paint, lacking the frequently mentioned horns in Paolini's books. The Urgals are also more human-like than described in the book, where they were described as being more like Orcs or goblins.
In the film, Durza flew into battle against Eragon and Saphira on a beast of dark mist. No aerial battles take place in the book, and no beast is mentioned - Durza is always on foot. (Although the beast bears a resemblance to the Lethrblaka described in the book, parent to the Ra'zac.) Durza can be heard saying "Lethrblaka" when he is summoning his flying steed, so it is possible the creature is indeed a Lethrblaka.
The Ra'zac have a far more minor role in the movie than in the book and they do not have beaks as described in the book.
Brom's merchant friend Jeod does appear in the movie, but is only seen by Eragon from far away for a short time.
The cities Yazuac, Therinsford, Teirm and the Hadarac Desert do not appear in the film, even though major events take place in all four places.
Arya assists in helping Brom and Eragon to escape from Gil'ead. It is only then that Murtagh truly shows himself and assists in their escape by shooting down Urgals. In the novel, during the escape from Gil'ead, Brom is already deceased, and Arya is unconscious. Murtagh and Eragon had already become familiar with one another, and whilst fighting together, manage to escape.
In the film, Eragon temporarily defeats Durza by shooting him in the head with his arrows, while in the novel, Murtagh is the one who delays Durza in this manner.
In the book, Eragon comes home to find his home almost completely destroyed by the Ra'zac, whereas in the film, Eragon comes home and his hut is still there. Also, Garrow is dead in the movie when Eragon finds him, though he dies later in the book. He is also not cremated by Brom as depicted in the film.
In the film, the Kull make no appearance.
The Ra'zac in the film vary from the novel version of the characters in appearance and garb.
In the novel, the Ra'zac do not die - in fact, they are still alive and well at the end of the second book.
In the book, the first time Eragon uses magic is in Yazuac. In the book, as of arriving at Yazuac, Brom and Eragon notice something is wrong (especially when they see the dead villagers). In the movie, they are in Daret, where at first, all seems well, but after Angela's fortune telling, the villagers disappear and Eragon and Brom are attacked by Urgals. There are also more Urgals than the two mentioned in the book.
After the scene described above, Brom scolds Eragon and tells him that he could've died from using magic in the book. Whilst in the film, Brom encourages Eragon instead.
In the final battle between Durza and Eragon, Eragon climbs on to Saphira's tail. She then flings him at Durza's beast (In a similar fashion to a fastball special) and he effectively stabs the shade in the heart while in midair. In the book, Durza was distracted by Arya and Saphira dropping the Isidar Mithrim. He was about to finish Eragon off with his powerful magic but Eragon took the opportunity to stab him through the heart.
In the film Sloan is tortured by the Ra'zac and it seems that they kill him while in the book he tells them of his own free-will and is allowed to leave their presence.
As stated in several differences above, all of the non-human races lose their key characteristics (the elves don't have pointed ears, the dwarves are tall, and the Urgals don't have horns).
In the movie, Galbatorix wants Eragon killed by Durza, whereas in the novel, Galbatorix wants Eragon to join him due to the fact that Saphira is the last female dragon in Alagaësia.
The movie takes place over a much shorter time than the book. It is had been mentioned in several "Differences" sections that the film took place over two days, but it took place over a longer time. However, due to confusing editing techniques (as well as not keeping to the plot) it is difficult to differentiate between the days. Also, a quote by Arya ("Yesterday, you were a farmboy. Today, you are a hero.") is very misleading. She says "yesterday" and "today" as metaphors, not actual time periods.
In the novel, Horst's sons are never recruited by the army. Also, in the movie the traders never come to Carvahall.
Roran leaves to be a miller in Therinsford in the novel and plans to return to marry Katrina. In the film he decides to join the army.
In the book, Durza's name is unknown to Eragon until he meets Ajihad. In the movie, Durza is a name seemingly known by all.
In the movie, Carvahall is swarming with soldiers of the king. In Eldest, it seems to be an uncommon thing for soldiers to be in town. Therefore, it is unlikely that this would happen.
In the book, Brom tells of the Riders when the traders are present, and it apears that telling of such a story is against the law. In the movie, Brom tells of the Riders when soldiers are present, and Eragon has to defend him verbally.
In the novel, Durza carries a sword with a long, winding scratch going down its length. In the film, Durza seems to use things that he can find around him, instead of having one particular weapon.
Durza's eyes in the novel are described as maroon, while in the film they are clearly a pale blue.
Jörmundur Ajihad's second in command does not appear in the film.
During the movie, Galbatorix's giant map of Alagaesia shows all of the elven cities; in the novel, he does not know the location of any of the elven cities.
Shruikan makes an apearance in the film. In the book, however, Shruikan is briefly talked about.
In the novel, the Varden are well known as a rebellion against the Empire. In the film, Eragon has to ask Brom who they are.
There is no mention of Surda in the film.
In the beginning of the novel it is winter, but in the film it is summer.
In the film, Eragon attempts to heal Brom with magic, but in the book that would have sapped all his strength and kill him.
In the film no mention is made to the fact that Galbatorix's dragon Shruikan only serves him due to black magic or even that his first dragon was killed creating his hate for the other riders.
Solumbum and his advice to eragon are never mentioned in the film even though it is presumed his phrophecy will play a large part in the third book
In the film it is stated that it is possible for a rider to lose its dragon and survive but if it were the other way round the dragon would die, however in the novel it is stated it is possible for either to survive but due to the fact a rider's mind is linked to its dragons so closely and vice versa that very often when one dies the other does as well due to the pain
In the film magic is sort of skimmed over when in the book it is staited that magic is dangerous and were a spell caster to cast a definitive spell that they did not have enough magic to cast then they spell caster would die.
In the movie the saphira's egg is more pilled shaped rather than egg shaped
Although it has been commented that the dwarves just appear as men in the film many people believe that the dwarves do not appear at all even though the varden are supposed to reside inside one of the dwarves great cities
When Galbatorix attacks the Varden it is with an army of Urgals that Dur'za has under his controls that attacks were as in the film its is Urgals and men which attack the varden
In the film the urgals are sent after Eragon and Brom where as in the book it is a coincidence that Eragon runs into the urgal at all up until the final battle
At the end of the book there are supposed to teams of varden and dwarves led by Ajihad hunting down the remaining urgals in the dwarf tunnels (which don't appear in the film at all) this leads to Ajihads death and Murtaghs kidnap at the beginning of the second book where as in the film when Eragon awakes all the enemies are gone.
In the film Saphira can breath fire apparently by herself and for a sustained time however in the book it is stated by Brom that she will not be able to breath fire until she is over sixth months old and is taught how to by arya (although it is never seen in the book it is a presumed thing) and cannot breath fire for a sustained time and has to be taught how in the second book.

Answer 2

Christopher Poalini was only 15 when he started the book. I am not surprised that he used some jumping off points. I saw a lot of similarities to star wars. He did end up with something original. Don't not read the book because of the similarities. I also wouldn't go by the movie. As usual it wasn't nearly as good as the book.

Answer 3

Personally, I don't think that there will be another one. The 1st one didn't follow the plot of the book, so it will be hard to continue the story. And also, the 1st one just came out a little while ago. Isn't it a bit early for a sequel?

Answer 4

the book is way way way way way better then the movie, there are parts they completley left out of the movie that are in the book. i read the book even before there were movie talks and its a great read. there is also a second book the eldest also a great read. read the book you'll enjoy it better then the movie.

Answer 5

Yep many similarities to many random fantasy movies. WAIT! HARRY POTTER CAN CAST SPELLS! HE MUST BE STEALING FROM THE LORD OF THE RINGS! OH WAIT, ITS JUST A CONCEPT! AND CAN'T BE CONSIDERED STOLEN BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER OWNED! BRILLIANT!

Answer 6

the book is way way way way way better then the movie, there are parts they completley left out of the movie that are in the book