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A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR26091  (2006), PG ["Hard" 13-PG*] (1hr 36min) The #1 Christian entertainment media analysis service on the Internet. We give you OBJECTIVE tools NO ONE ELSE CAN to help YOU make an informed decision for yourself whether a film is fit for your family. Over 1100 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): Fox 2000 Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Davis Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners Distribution (US): Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Director(s): Stefen Fangmeier Producer(s): Roger Barton, Kevin Richard Buxbaum, John Davis, John Davis, Wyck Godfrey, Adam Goodman, Adam Goodman, Kevin Halloran, Chris Symes Screenplay: Peter Buchman Novel: Christopher Paolini Cinematography/Camera: Hugh Johnson Music: Patrick Doyle Film Editing: Roger Barton Casting: Priscilla John, Mindy Marin Production Design: Wolf Kroeger Art Direction: Michael Diner, Jonathan Hely-Hutchinson, Stuart Kearns, Stuart Rose Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 In this mix of Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings and mainly Star Wars, 17 year old orphaned Eragon (Edward Speleers) does battle with the evil "Emperor" King Galbatorix (John Malkovich) and his demon hordes in this predictable generic fantasy flick. On a hunting trip (to "Mos Eisley?"), Eragon uncovers a strange blue stone that belongs to the king. The king would kill for this stone and the local population know that. They urge Eragon to keep it hidden ("in R2D2"). After pondering life's questions during a "moisture farm" sunset, Eragon discovers the stone is not a stone at all but is an egg. A dragon's egg. After some cracks and pokes a darling little dragon pops out. No, it is not yet a fire-breathing dragon as Hagrid discovered of his newborn Ridgeback dragon Norbert in Harry Potter. According to local "wizard", mentor and confidant "Obi" Brom (Jeremy Irons), even after the dragon grew to full size, she is not old enough to sustain a flame. Unbeknownst to Eragon, this dragon who calls herself Saphira (voice of Rachel Weisz) revealed that "the Force is strong" in Eragon and he is to be another "Jedi" dragon rider. Hers. Long, long ago in a region far, far away, King Galbatorix exterminated the population of dragon riders to sweep away the "Jedi" dragon riders ... all except one. Brom. A curious note is that a dragon can be killed without killing its rider but if a rider is killed the dragon dies, too. Brom is a dragon rider no longer with a dragon. "General" Brom may be without a dragon but is still strong with "the Force" and teaches Eragon many things. With the threat of Eragon being the "return of the Jedi" dragon riders, "Emperor" Galbatorix dispatches evil "Vader" Durza (Robert Carlyle) to crush the rebellion before it starts. The melee starts with Durza's stormdemons killing Eragon's uncle (no aunt). With nothing for him there (on "Tatooine") since his brother had already "transmitted his application to the Academy" and left, Eragon pledges to follow the ways of his "Jedi Master" Brom and learn to become a "Jedi", er, dragon rider himself. Together, gee-whiz kid Eragon and wise sage "Obi" Brom "Kenobi" embark on locating the secret base of King Galbatorix. Eragon earned a final score of 59 out of 100 which places it deeply into the range of scores earned by PG-13 movies in the comparative baseline database (55 to 67 out of 100), thus its 13-PG designator. With an investigation area score of zero in each of Wanton Violence/Crime (W) and Offense to God (O), Eragon is clearly equivalent to some R-rated movies in those areas. However, with not one single use of profanity, no drugs/alcohol whatsoever and nothing sexually immoral except the showing of below navel skin threatening to expose that which follows, the Impudence/Hate (I), Sexual Immorality (S) and Drugs/Alcohol (D) investigation areas earned scores equivalent to G-rated programming in the comparative baseline database. With a number of murders, Eragon earned a Murder/Suicide (M) investigation area score of 72, making it equivalent to most PG films in that area. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Eragon is a very violent movie with many killings. Additional matters of violence such as abduction by unholy power, an arrow to the forehead, sacrificial spear impalement and battle sequences evaporated all the starting 100 points in this investigation area. [Prov. 16:29, 1 Cor. 15:33] Impudence/Hate (I) While there were no uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary noted through the entire 96 minutes of this film, an instance of refusal to leave a residence when told to, enslavement and a comment "Without her you'll find life is hardly worth living" dissolved a few of the starting 100 points in this investigation area. [Prov. 6:16 - 17] Sexual Immorality (S) The only matter of sexually immoral behavior was the wearing of clothing, once, to expose below navel skin to the point of threatening to expose that which follows. If Speleers had pulled his pants up in that one scene Eragon would have earned the highest score possible of 100 out of 100 in this investigation area. Drugs/Alcohol (D) There were no uses of alcohol or tobacco noted or even referred to. Offense to God (O) Many instances of evil and portrayal of the use of unholy powers to do harm or to control were noted. In some cases the unholy powers were used to do good thus calling evil good which is in direct violation of Is. 5:20. The use of or the user of the power does not determine its unholiness. Its source does. For example, did Jesus sin when He used magic (a.k.a. holy power) to heal the sick or raise the dead? Recall when Satan tempted Jesus to jump from the Temple pinnacle [Luke 4:9 - 11]. Would the angels who would have lifted Him up from being dashed on the racks below sinned as they lifted up Jesus? Of course not. These forms of magic are from God and are holy power. But if the power, such as the "magic" used in films such as Eragon, Lord of the Rings, etc., is not from God it is from Satan and is not holy. Ergo, even if magic is used to do good, if it is not from God it is using evil. [Rev. 22:14-15] Murder/Suicide (M) Aside from all the killings, Eragon presents four murders, two by arrow, once by unholy power and once by assault. [Gal. 5:21] SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. CHAPTER/VERSE ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
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 Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Impudence/Hate (I) Sexual Immorality (S) Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O) Murder/Suicide (M) |
| There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our more than eight years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
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