PETE’S DRAGON is a reimagining of the studio’s 1977 classic with director David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) at the helm.
The film blends live-action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy, Pete, and his best friend, Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon. Bryce Dallas Howard (The Help) plays Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott and 10-year-old Pete (Oakes Fegley, This is Where I Leave You). Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games) plays Jack, a local mill owner; New Zealand native Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness) plays Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence plays Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Oscar-winner Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, All the President’s Men) stars as Grace’s father.
To celebrate the release of the magical family adventure film Pete’s Dragon, we are taking a look at some of the best depictions of dragons on the big screen. You can read our full review of PETE’S DRAGON here.
The Pagemaster – Flame Dragon
Lovingly old school and full of imagination, THE PAGEMASTER has unfortunately been forgotten in the nostalgia of the 90’s. Starring Macaulay Culkin as a cowardly child named Richard who hides in a library during a thunderstorm, only to be transported into the animated pages of literary classics, the film boasted a talented voice cast, including Patrick Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Leonard Nimoy and Phil Hartman, not to mention Christopher Lloyd as the titular Pagemaster. Blending live action and animation, the film was a celebration of the power of books and transporting readers into another world, literally in Richard’s case. Moving through three different genres; Adventure, Horror and Fantasy, Richard encounters Dr. Jekyll, Captain Ahab, Long John Silver and various other colorful characters. Upon entering the final genre, Richard must do battle with a ferocious dragon straight out of the best fantasy books, as his newfound bravery allows him to defeat the dragon and return home to the real world.
Sleeping Beauty – Maleficent
Brought to life by Angelina Jolie in a live action film in 2014, Maleficent has been causing sleepless nights for children since SLEEPING BEAUTY was released in 1959. In human form she’s a slender and terrifying creature, decked out in black and purple robes that darken the environment around her; her voice a whisper that cuts through the silence whenever she appears in a room (her introduction in SLEEPING BEAUTY is still one of the scariest things Disney have ever committed to animation). But it’s not until the climax of the film where Maleficent reveals her true evil form, as she transforms herself into a dragon so as to fight Prince Phillip. Never one to shy away from theatrics, Maleficent twists the environment around her, conjuring up deadly vines that threaten to engulf Phillip and shoots a deadly stream of green fire.
How to Train Your Dragon – Toothless
Proving that not all dragons are ferocious killing machines, Toothless is the star of Dreamworks hit films. Accentuated by its large eyes and adorable face, Toothless is quite possibly the most unthreatening dragon put to film. It’s loyalty to its friend, Hiccup, makes it a devoted and trustworthy companion who kids and adults root for. As Toothless and Hiccup learn to trust each other and their relationship deepens, so too do our feelings for this unconventional, goofy dragon. Also, who wouldn’t want a pet dragon?!
Shrek – Dragon
Our first meeting with the aptly named ‘Dragon’ was in the very first SHREK film, where our heroes are confronted by a terrifying, fire breathing beast trying to keep them out of its castle. Cornered and scared, Donkey, one of our protagonists, is face to face with the creature and probably about to meet his end… Until the dragon flutters its large eyelashes at him and we realize that not only is this a girl dragon but she has a crush on our hero. One of the popular recurring characters in the SHREK films, Dragons relationship with Donkey evolved throughout the four films in the series, eventually having donkey/dragon hybrid babies with Donkey.
The Hobbit – Smaug
Voiced with gleeful allurement by Benedict Cumberbatch, Smaug the dragon is by far one of the most dangerous dragons seen on the big screen so far. Intelligent, without remorse and, above all else, driven by greed; Smaug burns down an entire village in a fit of rage when one of his most valuable treasures is swiped under his scaly nose and seeks revenge on one elusive hobbit. Slumbering in a room filled to the brim with valuables and gold, Smaug reigns over everyone else that he sees below himself.
The Neverending Story – Falkor
Before Toothless from HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON arrived and became the one dragon that everyone wished they had by their side, Falkor was the original childhood dragon. Guiding young boy Bastian through the magical world of THE NEVERENDING STORY, not to mention saving his life a couple of times as well, Falkor is a giant puppylike dragon whose demeanor is reminiscent of a golden retriver than the usual depiction of dragons. Brought to life through animatronics that still hold up today, Falkor was an extraordinary sight to behold.
Which is your favourite dragon? Did your beast make the list? Share your thoughts in the comment box below!
