Phil Roberts 
Featuring a majestic soundtrack, stunning animation, well-timed humor, and an uplifting message, Dragonkeeper is a rare gem of cultural brilliance.
The animated genre has delivered some fantastic movies in recent years. Just last year, we saw the release of The Super Mario Bros Movie, Trolls Band Together, and PAW Patrol: the Mighty Movie, which received critical acclaim and outperformed some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. This week, the latest animated movie to hit the box office is DRAGONKEEPER. This captivating fantasy is created by the animation studio Ilion Animation Studios (known for Wonder Park and Planet 51). It is the brainchild of Sergio Pablos (of Rio and Despicable Me fame) & Borja Montoro (from Zootopia).
The movie is based on the first six novels in Wilkinson’s widely popular and multi-award-winning literary series. It portrays the vibrant world of Chinese mythology, featuring a delightful mix of mysticism and colorful characters, aiming to appeal to audiences of all ages. With the talented Bill Nighy leading the cast, can this film deliver the animated spectacle we hope for, or should Dragonkeeper remain within the pages of Chinese mythology?
REVIEW
Get ready to grab your tickets because DRAGONKEEPER is a real treasure. Featuring a majestic soundtrack, stunning animation, well-timed humor, and an uplifting message, the movie is a real winner. This heartwarming and thrilling adventure to safeguard the last of the mythical dragons will captivate audiences of all ages. Moreover, it will leave you yearning for more. Parents might find themselves puzzled by the unusual combination of Chinese-themed animation and a predominantly English voice cast. However, this minor drawback does not diminish the enjoyment of spending a fantastic 99 minutes at the movies. It offers pure, unadulterated escapism, presented in stunning animation, and a heartwarming story that resonates on every level.
CHINESE MYTHOLOGY
The film effortlessly tackles the daunting task of making Chinese mythology more appealing to a broader audience. By delving into the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, the filmmakers have created a project that is not only vibrant and rewarding but also deeply rooted in the heritage celebrated worldwide. The story delves into the complex bond between humans and dragons, once steadfast allies. However, human avarice resulted in the subjugation of the dragons, ultimately leading to their extinction. With only a few remaining, malevolent lords exploit the creatures’ energy and barter it for the emperor’s favor as he strives to prolong his life.
The movie quickly delves into the bond between the dragons and a special group of individuals known as Dragonkeepers. These people possess a natural ability to form a close relationship with the dragons and ensure their safety. In exchange, the dragons embrace the keepers into their world, creating a mutually beneficial coexistence.
ICONOGRAPHY
The backstory is depicted in a glorious array of Chinese iconography that sets the tone for the spectacle that follows. With the lore established, we are introduced to an orphaned infant girl who finds a home with a peasant woman in the service of one of the notorious dragon exploiters. The amulet around her neck reveals her name to be Ping, and as she grows into her role in the warlord’s service, she finds herself drawn to the enslaved dragons trapped within his dungeon.
The following is an enchanting tale that delves into Ping’s role in the world and the duty she inherited as a Dragonkeeper from birth. After cleverly gaining access to the dungeon, Ping encounters the final remaining dragon, a majestic being named Danzi. As the sole survivor of his species, Danzi safeguards a rare and precious dragon egg, entrusting Ping with the responsibility of ensuring its safe passage to the hallowed birthing pools in the sacred oceans. However, she quickly realizes that competing groups are eager to seize the egg and unlock its hidden secrets.
ANIMATION
This unique story comes to life through some of the most stunning animations. The film’s style is reminiscent of Despicable Me but with a distinctly Chinese flair, offering a rich exploration of Chinese iconography. The costumes are incredibly detailed, the backdrops authentically reflect the culture, and the stylizations are drawn straight from traditional sources. The attention to detail extends beyond just the characters and scenery.
The dragons are depicted exactly as they are seen throughout Chinese culture. The sleek, blue, and elongated bodies are intricately detailed despite boasting a cartoon-esque face. But the result is a joy. The colors are vivid, the animation is crisp, and the film feels like a Chinese picture book brought to life in stunning detail.
FUN CHARACTERS
A delightful variety of characters complements this wonderfully rich sandbox. Apart from Ping, portrayed as a typical young person longing for a life beyond servitude and ultimately getting more than she bargained for, there are numerous fantastic characters for us to appreciate. Bill Nighy lends his voice to the majestic dragon, Danzi. His interactions with Ping are masterfully executed. He serves as a mentor to Ping and effectively communicates the mythology to the audience.
Developing the dragon’s relationship with his chosen human could have been tricky. After all, if dragons talked like humans, it would ruin the realism that the project aims to convey. The filmmakers tackle this challenge by establishing a telepathic connection between the dragons and their keepers. While Ping delivers her lines verbally, Danzi communicates through telepathy and body language. This approach exudes elegance and preserves the majestic nature of the mythology. Fortunately, this method leads to humorous interactions between the pair and Hua, Ping’s rodent sidekick, who joins them on their adventure.
ENDEARING JOURNEYS
The characters’ interactions are so endearing that they draw the audience into their story. Despite their mythological origins, the characters are crafted to resonate with the audience on a profound level. Ping’s journey of self-discovery and coming-of-age will surely resonate with young people everywhere. It’s a safe bet that they’ll all be searching for a dragon egg on their next shopping trip; such is the power of this story.
The villains of the piece are equally well presented. Far from the usual bad guys, they are determined to seize the last dragon egg and exploit its properties for their own gain. This subtly comments on the state of climate change and our exploitation of the world’s resources without being offensive. Nor is it used as a platform to promote an agenda. Instead, it helps to spread a positive message about preserving the world’s natural beauty.
SOUNDTRACK
Rounding out this recipe for success is the incredibly atmospheric soundtrack from Arturo Cardelús. The upcoming Spanish-American composer fills this animated world with a breathtaking score that harnesses the brilliance of Chinese culture. The unique soundtrack enhances the story at every turn, creating some incredibly moving moments. With its blend of violins, powerful drum beats, and traditional Asian instruments, the score takes listeners on a captivating cultural journey. As a collaboration between Chinese and Spanish studios, Cardelús’ heritage shines through in the score, making it truly unique. The result is a well-balanced score that feels heroic, heartfelt, and authentically beautiful.
DETRACTIONS
With every other aspect of the film landing perfectly, it seems bizarre to be so critical of its voice cast. However, this is the only real drawback of the film. Being a Chinese/Spanish collaboration, one would think the English voice cast would be on hand to preserve the realism of the material. Strangely, the team responsible for dubbing the film into English has turned to some very English talents to bring the characters to life. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be cause for critique. However, here, the actors use South London accents to bring these ancient Chinese characters to life on screen. The result is a jarring experience. Moreover, they use real-world slang in their performances, which does little to maintain the authenticity the film strives to create.
The creative decision is quite strange and doesn’t work well, which detracts from the overall quality of the project. For a film steeped in cultural heritage, having overly cockney English accents used for almost every character feels wholly out of place. Thankfully, it doesn’t detract from the film’s grandeur, but it certainly takes something away from its overall splendor.
VERDICT
Overall, Dragonkeeper is an absolute blast. The film is a rare gem, boasting breathtaking, warm, and vivid animation, a wonderfully authentic score, and a wholesome, uplifting message. This is the benchmark all animated films should aspire to be. Sure, the out-of-place English accents let it down, but they don’t undermine the brilliance of a truly immersive slice of animated triumph.
So, book your tickets for a heartwarming rollercoaster ride into Chinese mythology. It is the perfect movie for kids of all ages, led by Bill Nighy’s unconquerable vocals. You’ll laugh, cry, and be entertained, all while you soak in the beauty of ancient China. Don’t miss it.
Dragonkeeper brings the family fantasy to UK cinemas via China Film International this Friday.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
