I watched "The Dragon King" this afternoon,

[Skidmore]

a movie based on "The Ring of the Nibelungs." I went to resewarch the film online and stumbled across this review.

http://www.cbcpworld.com/cinema/reviews/theringofthenibelungs.html

Young blacksmith Siegfried (Benno Fürmann), sees a meteorite streaking through the sky one night and decides to investigate. At the point of impact, he meets Queen of Iceland, Brunnhild (Kristanna Loken), an armed warrior whom Siegfried has to battle and love at the same time. Sigfried, not knowing that he is the heir to a conquered kingdom, becomes popular with the Burgunds by slaying their bane, the dragon Fafnir. The reward of which is a huge treasure of gold and a ring that belongs to the Nibelungs. Although he is warned of the curse if he would take the treasure, Siegfried ignored it without knowing that it wil endanger his life and his love for Brunnhild.

Loosely based on the Germanic myth "Das Nibelungenlied" and the Nordic "Volsunga Saga" which also inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings,The Ring of the Nibelungs may pale in comparison technically with the latter film but it is at par as far as narrative structure is concerned. The series of events is easy to follow and the characterization is consistent. Perhaps the problem lies in the crude cinematography which tries very hard to be Hollywoodish. The inappropriate scoring distracts the audience from the otherwise simple yet complex screenplay. But then, at the end of it all, the director successfully conveys a grand epic without much illusion of grandeur.

The message of greed as root of all evil is clear in the movie. The ring of Nibelungs is a symbol of man's never ending longing for power and wealth. But at the end of the day, it is still love that is worth craving, for if everything else fails, love will still endure even in death. Although the film shows a kind of love that is quite based on whim and supernatural beliefs, still, Siegfried and Brunnhild's love is justified in most parts of the film. Most commendable is the portrayal of women in the movie as strong-willed and good natured characters and not as weak and submissive stereotypes. But then, the very young viewers should be guided as there are scenes of pre-marital sexual relations, although done in context, that might contradict certain gospel values. There is also a subliminal critique on Christian doctrine in the movie which, if taken out of context, may disturb one's faith in the church.

I don't know what to say. Just...well, Jeez.

[okasha]

1. How about saying

it's a review targeted to a particular audience? On the whole, it's a positive assessment and recommendation.