Best ON SCREEN dragon.

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Omote
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Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Omote »

With the recent discussion of bad fantasy films, let's change it up and and discuss your favorite dragon that has appeared on screen in movies, or television.

I'm going to go with the vicious Hungarian Horntail dragon that Harry Potter faces in the Goblet of Fire movie (HP4). The special FX for Harry's dragon battle during the TriWizard tournament is exquisite. While we don't get to really see the dragon's personality during the movie (other than being relentless and vicious), we do get to see the danger such a middle-aged dragon could possibly inflict on PCs in a D&D game. The scene in this movie where Harry Potter has to defeat the dragon really puts into perspective just how dangerous fighting a dragon in D&D can be. Harry Potter has a magical artifact that helps him fly. For any would-be dragonslayers on the ground, the scene from this movie makes it seem virtually impossible to defeat without some sort of flight, and wizardry at your side.

Best dragon sequence ever on film in my estimation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Qx_lzj1NM

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by maximus »

I always liked Smaug in the Rankin-Bass '70s cartoon.

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Treebore »

The Smaug in the new movies is pretty awesome. The one my mind goes back to frequently is the Reign of Fire dragon, when it attacks the castle.
Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by maximus »

Treebore wrote: The one my mind goes back to frequently is the Reign of Fire dragon, when it attacks the castle.
I forgot about that movie. That was a bad ass dragon.

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by alcyone »

Vermithrax Pejorative
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by finarvyn »

I like the Smaug from the new Hobbit movies.
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by spudeus »

To echo my comment in the earlier thread, I'd have to go with Vermithrax from Dragonslayer. He just moves in an organic way that matches my imagination - even puffs up his chest before he breathes fire!

Image

Other favorites from my youth include the chained dragon from 7th Voyage of Sinbad and King Ghidorah from various Godzilla films. CG dragons don't do it for me (though the trio in GoT are pretty good).

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Lurker »

Well I'm an avid Tolkien fan so I HAVE to vote for Smaug. Other parts of the movie may annoy me (the fight in and rolling ball in the goblin cave etc) but the movie got Smaug right.

That said I do like Dragonslayer (the movie and the dragon in it)

Rgr on HP and showing how dangerous a dragon fight should be.
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Ancalagon »

Another vote for Vermithrax 8-)
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Fizz »

I like Smaug from the Hobbit movies for sure. But what about Draco from Dragonheart? A dragon with the voice of Sean Connery deserves consideration.

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Go0gleplex »

I have to go with Reign of Fire as well. I think the alpha could've given the Xenomorphs a run for their money.
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Jyrdan Fairblade »

Also going to vote for Vermithrax of Dragonslayer fame. Just re-watched it, and the special effects still hold up. For being silent, the dragon still come across as cruel and malicious.

Smaug in the recent Hobbit...hrm. I liked the voice, especially the low bass register that made it feel like a massive creature was speaking, but something about the look didn't quite do it for me.

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Lurker »

Jyrdan Fairblade wrote:Also going to vote for Vermithrax of Dragonslayer fame. Just re-watched it, and the special effects still hold up. For being silent, the dragon still come across as cruel and malicious.

Smaug in the recent Hobbit...hrm. I liked the voice, especially the low bass register that made it feel like a massive creature was speaking, but something about the look didn't quite do it for me.
Was that the look of the dragon or the look of the rest of the movie ? ;)
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Ancalagon »

Lurker wrote:
Jyrdan Fairblade wrote:Also going to vote for Vermithrax of Dragonslayer fame. Just re-watched it, and the special effects still hold up. For being silent, the dragon still come across as cruel and malicious.

Smaug in the recent Hobbit...hrm. I liked the voice, especially the low bass register that made it feel like a massive creature was speaking, but something about the look didn't quite do it for me.
Was that the look of the dragon or the look of the rest of the movie ? ;)
Or both. ;)
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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by Jyrdan Fairblade »

Heh, I actually liked the design on a lot of The Hobbit – I thought Guillermo Del Toro’s influence was clear in a bunch of places. Heck, I loved the zany hair and beard styles of the dwarves. Did not love the bird poop on Radagast – I think that Peter Jackson’s instinct towards designating a character as comic relief has lead him down some wrong turns.

But anyway, as for Smaug, I think, if I had to pick one thing, it’s the shape of his jaw, the curve of his mouth. Seems a petty thing, when I write it down, though.
Lurker wrote: Was that the look of the dragon or the look of the rest of the movie ? ;)

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Re: Best ON SCREEN dragon.

Post by serleran »

If we ignore animation, Godzilla.

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