Steven Lindholm

I'm going to split this into two reviews, based on potential audience. First, for anyone not familiar or less-than-familiar with Dragon Quest, I hope you will watch and enjoy this movie. I feel it was made for you, despite the amount of in-game references. There was enough changed from the main plot of Dragon Quest V that I think aids in storytelling of this version of the story, and while it is not perfect and the pacing could be better, I think overall it is a good film and could be enjoyed if one goes in with an open mind and sticks with it to see the film's heartwarming final message. Had the developer added an extra 30 minutes to the film, it could have fixed some pacing and plot issues some have with the film. Quick synopsis without divulging too much of the entire story, the movie begins with a background of the beginning of Dragon Quest V, fairly close to the original (from 1992 in Japan), and then it progresses into the animated opening, where we see the young boy Luca at home with his father, Pankraz, and family friend Sancho. We learn Pankraz is searching for his missing wife, Mada, and the film follows from there until near the end the group finally is able to find Mada. In between, there is a lot of adventuring, with some battles with monsters, light romance, moments of sorrow, and also a bit of humor as we see Luca grow from boy to young man. The film ends on a feel good note, as the heroes save the day and the world from the evil that wants to destroy it. The visuals are great, not perfect but very well done and should stand the test of time. For those who are fans of Dragon Quest, I get the criticism I have seen posted about the film, as there are significant changes from the plot of and timing in Dragon Quest V. That said, I think the film does well with telling an alternate story of that game, had things gone a little differently. Remember, this is Dragon Quest Your Story, not Dragon Quest V: The Story. The series has always been about making the player the hero, and not the player playing a hero with a fully fleshed out story, personality, and name. So that each and every Dragon Quest can and should be Your Story. With that in mind, I think the story fits very well and acts as a love letter to those of us who love the series. And I hope in how it was created it can be a tool to introduce those not familiar with Dragon Quest to this amazing series, the best of which is story, music, Toriyama art, and the ability to be your own hero.