A Dragon’s Adventure

A Dragon’s Adventure is exactly what it says on the tin: A family movie filled with friendship, mischief and familial bonds, wrapped up in a story that bridges two contrasting groups of dragons together. It opens by diving straight into the narrative, with no dilly dallies. This sets a precedent for parts of the film’s pacing: quick and direct, moving from scene to scene with easy-to-follow transitions. Although, sometimes, it does linger a little too long on certain sections. The dynamic between the three main personalities Coconut, Oscar and Matilda is quite an endearing one to watch, which results in a fairly enjoyable journey.

Other characters don’t falter. Even the background and side dragons add a certain something of their own to the feature, be it witty remarks, petty squabbles or just quirky ticks. The designs are quite simple in the grand scheme of animated films – that boasts plenty of creations from the likes of Disney, Sony and Dreamworks – but they are distinguishable, cute and endearing, showing a lot of personality that goes well with the very fun vocal performances.

The humour may at times be a tad too childish and predictable, but it does have its own charm to it. And while the characters do get into some typical gags that only serve to drive the plot forward – as to be expected from a film of its genre – there is still plenty of heart and some good surprises along the way. In terms of the more technical aspects, such as the visual and sound, both work in tandem to create just the right atmosphere.

Colours are bright and matte, which is a small and subtle nod to the reptilian skin of the creatures. There are even great visual moments, such as sparks of fire or the glow of dragons. Still, these instances are few and far in between. The soundtrack is fun and jolly, heavily indicative of its target audience. It does do well to set the tone of the overall picture, as well as incorporate a tropical ambiance that pairs along with the scenery and landscapes.

Overall, A Dragon’s Adventure is an okay flick. While the singing might just be a bit below average and there’s nothing too spectacular or groundbreaking about the lyrics and melody, the musical aspect is a fun touch. If only it were more consistent.

Mae Trumata

A Dragon’s Adventure is released digitally on demand on 2^nd April 2021.

Watch the official trailer for A Dragon’s Adventure here: