Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn Hits and Misses — A Review

Movies based on videogames have always been a hard sell. Unless the title is Resident Evil, it’s very rare for this subgenre to produce blockbusters, which is why I was very cautious going to the advance screening of Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn. From the main title  itself, you would know that the movie is based off the game of the same name. Dragon Nest is one of the most popular Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) out there in the market today. While a game venturing into the world of cinema isn’t new (Mortal Kombat, anyone?), the big question has always been whether it is able to translate itself from one medium to another.

In this case, I would answer, “Somewhat.”

Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn serves as a prequel to the game, explaining some of the origins of some of the important characters, as well as fleshing out its lore. Lambert, a young warrior and Lia, an elf join a band of powerful characters on a quest to stop the return of the Dark Dragon and the Beasts, thought to have been completely defeated in a previous war. As they set out on their journey, friendships, challenges and treachery unfold, as is typical of any high fantasy plot.

While not the most original of stories, it still managed to be entertaining and fun to watch. There weren’t any dragging exposition scenes or flashbacks. It was just a barrage of action, some dialogue, then back to more action. It felt like you pressed “skip text” on a lot of parts, which was nice considering that the main draw of the game is the combat itself. It was also clever in its approach to show the game’s history instead of its current events. MMORPGs tend to have a lot of interweaving plots, which makes translating them into movie form an arduous task. Because the movie told a completely new story that was still tied to the game, it didn’t feel like you were watching a walkthrough.

While the characters were derived from Dragon Nest, the movie decided to focus mainly on Lambert and Lia, which helped give it focus. There were a few subplots here and there, but they mostly served as fillers. Development of the supporting characters were uneven however, as we get to see some backstory from Geraint and Velskud but no growth whatsoever from Karacule the Sorceress and Terramai the priest. With a plethora of characters to choose from, however, this seemed like it was for the best.

Since the first animated feature for the game was made in China, it was initially seen with slight cynicism. Comparisons to big animation studios like Pixar and Dreamworks could not be avoided. In all honesty however, it was produced really well. The character designs were smooth and they managed to stick to the anime  style that the game was inspired from. There were a few wonky animations here and there, especially obvious during the army battles, but the ones where the main characters were focused on were well-executed.

Sound production was top-notch. While it didn’t use any of the game’s assets, the orchestra-like feel during big battles really felt epic. Even the pop song inserted during a traveling montage, while seemed forced, was still catchy to listen to. Other than the music, the dubbing portion however was  hit-or-miss. Some of the English voice actors were cast well. Others, not so much. Characters like Barnac the Mercenary and Velskud felt too hammy at times, ruining the mood a bit.

Dragon Nest as a game is marketed towards teens and college students. The movie, however, seemed to be targeted more towards children. I personally don’t see this being a hit with the gamer demographic, though it may be a fun watch for a group of friends who are fans of the game.

For the most part, it felt like it fits more as a family flick. The plot, while trying to be complex, is easy to follow and the action and comedy bits cater well to mom and dads who are spending time with their kids. In fact, most who went to the advance screening were families looking for a fun, bonding experience.

Overall, Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn was an enjoyable popcorn flick. While I don’t see this winning international awards soon, it can be worth your time and money with the right group of people. College students and young adults would probably go for a different title, but other age groups could find fun in this wonderfully animated fantasy epic.

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