Charles Band is a filmmaker known for his low budget horror films that have become cult classics. Films like Puppet Master series and my personal favorite the Trancers movie series. But Charles Band launched a family friendly division of his company entitled Moonbeam Entertainment.
A few years ago we reviewed a Moonbeam Blu-ray/DVD release entitled Prehysteria! You can read the full review of that great Blu-ray release here. In addition to Prehysteria another film released under this division was the 1994 fantasy film Dragonworld starring Courtland Mead.
Now while you may not know that name you no doubt have seen the young man's work. He played Danny Torrance in the TV Mini-series The Shining. He also made many guest appearances on classic TV shows such as NYPD Blue, ER, Coach, The Jamie Foxx Show and many more.
The film follows a young man Johnny McGowan who after the tragic loss of his parents goes to live with his grandfather at his Scotland castle. On the estate there is a magical wishing tree where he receives a friend in the form of a dragon whom he names, Yowler.
Johnny and Yowler grow up together. But when there are back taxes on the castle. Johnny (now played by Sam Mackenzie) is convinced to "rent" Yowler to an evil businessman. Now Yowler finds himself a prisoner in a theme park built for him, and it is up to John and his new friends rescue his dragon friend.
Dragonworld is pure 90s family entertainment. The screenplay is written by the film's director Ted Nicolaou and Suzanne Glazener Naha. It is a very fast-paced story and the acting is very believable. It is a timeless story and pure fun for the whole family.
There is something to be said for practical effects. In this day and age CGI is so overly used that we just expect it. But I say give me the practical effects and spot motion animation over CGI any day. Dragonworld's practical effect shine and make this film feel so much more real.
While watching Dragonworld you are really taken on a roller coaster ride of emotion. The audience truly cares what happens to Johnny and Yowler. And in the end that is what you really want from a film.
Dragonworld has been remastered in HD and is presented in widescreen format in aspect ratio 1.78:1. On this Blu-ray there are not one but two audio tracks to choose from. There is a 2.0 mono and a 5.1 Dolby Digital. I am so impressed with this remaster there is no signs of damage to this print of the film.
For some companies a stunning new remaster of a film would be enough for their release, but not for Full Moon Features. For this new Blu-ray of Dragonworld they went went above and beyond and added some amazing bonus features. Take a look at what is included.
* Moonbeam Videozone: An extremely interesting 22 minute behind the scenes featurette. This featurette takes us behind the scenes at the making of Dragonworld and another Moon Beam family release entitled Pet Shop. As well as trailers for additional Moon Beam releases Remote and Prehysteria. And finally a promo for the Moon Beam fanclub. WOW talk about retro. I loved every second of it!
* Enter The Dragon: A Conversion with Executive Producer Charles Band and Director Ted Nicolaou. These two talk about the history of this amazing family film. It is good to note there is some adult language in this conversation.
* Trailers for Dragonworld, Prehysteria, Mysterious Museum and Goobers
If you would like an awesome film for the whole family you can not go wrong with Dragonworld on Blu-ray. Head over to Amazon.com and order your copy.
* Note Dragonworld will be released on February 8, 2022.
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Full Moon Features Blu-ray of Dragonworld receives...
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