Dragonkeeper (2024) – Review

“Dragonkeeper” focuses on a young girl who is tasked with rescuing a baby dragon, and discovering her true fate, not the assumed one of being a servant.

Plot Summary

In a fantasy world where necromancy and dragons exist, a war against magical people and creatures has ended, and the Emperor has fought against any with powers beyond his. But, as he has aged, he has sought out magical items to extend his life, including extracts from what remains of the dragons he fought to extinguish.

Enter Master Diao, who travels to the mountains where dragons like Danzi live. Master Diao seeks out an egg Danzi’s partner produced to use its power. But, a girl named Ping, who is what is known as a Dragonkeeper, stands in the way of Master Diao’s plan, and the Emperor’s desire for extending his life.

Noted Cast and Characters Of “Dragonkeeper”

Character’s Name	Actor’s Name
Master Diao	Anthony Howell
Danzi	Bill Nighy
Ping	Mayalinee Griffiths
The Emperor	Paul McEwan
The Prince	Felix Rosen
Wang Chao	Bill Bailey

Master Diao

Master Diao is a subordinate of the Emperor who usually focuses on plants and bugs. However, after their mother’s death, they pursued ways of longevity beyond what the Emperor desired such gifts for.

Danzi

Danzi is one of the last dragons in existence. In his latter years, he finds himself trapped and then has to go on an adventure with a young child to save the child of the last dragon emperor.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Living.”

Ping

Ping is a young orphan raised by an older woman in the mountains. She was very settled into the idea that she would live her life as a servant. However, when it’s discovered that her lineage is that of the Dragonkeepers, Danzi forever changes her life.

The Emperor

The Emperor may have prestige from currently having the kingdom at peace, but with his death imminent, there is a level of desperation to stay alive.

The Prince

The Prince is around the age of Ping, but due to their privilege, is a total brat.

Wang Chao

Wang Chao is Master Diao’s minion who seemingly was a Dragonkeeper at one time, but due to the Emperor’s crusade against dragons, after winning the war against necromancers, he found himself subject to persecution, which Master Diao allegedly saved him from.

Content Information

• Dialog: N/A
• Violence: Notable Fight Scenes
• Sexual Content: N/A
• Miscellaneous: N/A

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Who Is This For?

• Those who love animated adventure films, featuring dragons

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Highlights

You Get Invested In Ping’s Journey

Something about Ping pushes the vibe of a Nickelodeon or WB11 kids show. She is scrappy, seemingly satisfied with her life as a servant until she realizes it could be so much more. And while this is by no means an emotional journey as she sees the world and what it has to offer, you can easily see this become episodic content as Ping and Dazai travel through the country in search of one of the last dragon eggs and encounter the world post the war that decimated the existence of dragons.

Which, I should note, doesn’t really get done, as the film keeps a rather quick pace.

The Villain’s Reasons Are Understandable

Death is a terrifying thing. For Master Diao, he witnesses his mother’s death which anyone can tell you, if you are close to that parent, watching them die is traumatizing and add in being helpless in the situation, it makes it all the more worse. Then, when it comes to the Emperor, his son isn’t even a teenager yet. So, you know, between his advisors and others who may seek the throne, his death would not only cause turmoil in the kingdom but could threaten his son’s potential reign or his life.

With that in mind, you can see why both would vie for control over the egg, and Master Diao would take things a step further and try to harness the egg’s assumed powers.

On The Fence

It Does Leave Some Storylines Unresolved

“Dragonkeeper” is frustrating. A lot of characters and plots feel like they should be explored more, or you’d wish they were, but they are not. For example, Wang Chao, Master Diao’s minion, you’ll so badly wish his backstory was explored. On top of that, in terms of the Emperor’s son, the Prince, considering how the film ends, you’ll want to know what happened to him.

Add in wishing to learn more details about the Necromancers and their war against humanity, which the dragons joined, it can feel like a lot of what would have made this an epic or really take “Dragonkeeper” to the next level was either sidestepped or minimized.

The Animation May Look Dated To Some

The studio behind “Dragonkeeper” isn’t Pixar, Disney, or Studio Ghibli. It has a CGI feel to it that looks like PS3-era graphics (maybe late-stage PS2). It isn’t an eyesore but because of the standards bigger studios have set, it can make those who are very much about the visuals of a animated feature feel like this is lesser than.

General Information

Film Length	1 Hour 38 Minutes
Date Released	July 9, 2024
How To Watch	Stream Here or Official Site
Distributor	Viva Kids
Director(s)	Salvador Simo, Li Jiangping
Writer(s)	Pablo Castrillo, Ignacio Ferreras, Carole Wilkinson, Rosanna Checcini, Wang Xianping,
Based On Work By	Carole Wilkinson
Genre(s)	Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Youth Animation
Content Rating	Rated PG