Dragonkeeper movie review

I mentioned previously that I won two tickets to Dragonkeeper - the movie is based on the book by Carole Wilkinson. You might like to watch the trailer.  Here are two reviews by young movie fans. I do hope this book is in their school library. It is wonderful that both boys now want to read the book:

Review One

I liked this movie from the start when we found out that baby Ping had special powers. I knew she was going to be an important character. It was exciting when the dragon catcher held Ping and the dragon egg over the cliff edge. My favourite part was when the dragon catcher drained Ping’s  energy to become more powerful. It was sad at the end when Danzi was injured but it ended in a happy way when Kai, the baby dragon hatched and cuddled up to Ping. I think Ping will look after Kai and be a mother to him.

I think I would enjoy reading this book.   Luca 9yrs

Review Two

I loved the background music and the animation the most. The colours were soft and magical. The dragons didn’t appear to be scary at all. Their voices were soft and they were friendly. I think little kids could watch this movie without being too scared. I liked the special effects used when Ping first dreams of the dragons.

My favourite part was the journey of Ping and the dragon, Danzi when they went searching for the dragon egg. The scene with the broken bridge was exciting, especially when Ping used her powers to mend the bridge. This is when we first realise how strong her powers are. Ping was very brave when she used her powers to help defeat Diao and rescue the egg.

I’d really like to read the book now so I can compare it to the movie. I think there might be more detail in the book.    Theo 11yrs

If you are an parent or carer and you want to know more about the themes in this movie which is rated here in Australia as PG take a look at this review from Children and Media Australia. You can see images from the movie here. 

Here is the webpage for Carole Wilkinson.

You can read a sample chapter from Dragonkeeper here. There are six books in the Dragonkeeper series including the prequel - Dragon Dawn:

Read the book then see the movie

Pete's Dragon was a favourite movie of my childhood. I especially loved the soundtrack and the song Candle on the Water (you can hear it here). I do need to say, though, this movie is not based on a book but hopefully this image has caught your eye. 

I entered a competition the other day (I won - isn't that amazing). I should add that only around 19 people entered, and many did not quite answer the question - to name a movie made from a book and to say why. Also, I assumed, even though it didn't state this, that they wanted a children's book adaption - after all this competition was from the Children's Book Council of Australia. Since this prize was the book Dragon Keeper by Carol Wilkinson I thought it was a good idea to include a movie/book that featured a splendid dragon.

IT'S A GIVEAWAY! 🐉 
You already know this fantastic story by Carole Wilkinson – winner of the 2004 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers! – and now it's a magical film on the big screen. 
To celebrate, we have double-passes to see DRAGONKEEPER at the cinema, plus a copy of the book. 
To go in the draw: Like this post
Tell us your favourite book-to-film adaption (and why!)
DRAGONKEEPER is in cinemas now!

Here are the two movies I listed:

This is a splendid movie adaption of the classic novel The Borrowers by Mary Norton

Naturally I listed this because it is by Michael Ende author of the book that inspired this blog - 

Momo and also I listed this because it features a brilliant dragon named Falkor. 

Here are other children's movies that were mentioned (there were several adult movies too):

• The BFG book by Roald Dahl
• The Wizard of Oz book by Frank L Baum
• Harry Potter movie series by JK Rowling
• Storm Boy book by Colin Thiele
• Runt book by Craig Silvey
• Clifford book by Norman Bridwell
• How to train your dragon book by Cressida Cowell

Here are some of my own favourites:

Based on the book Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Based on the book by Roald Dahl - this movie has an amazing performance by Judi Dench

Based on the book by Natalie Babbitt

Book by Kate DiCamillo 

My only tiny quibble with this one is in my mind the dog was smaller.

Because of Winn Dixie

Book Mary Poppins by PL Travers

Kiki's Delivery Service book by Eiko Kadono

I also found a list of the fifty best children's movies from Rotten Tomatoes and they listed Babe (book The Sheep Pig by Dick King Smith); The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse; A little Princess (book by Frances Hodgson Burnett); Matilda (book by Roald Dahl); and Paddington (book by Michael Bond). 

To this list I would add Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (book by Ian Fleming); Stuart Little (book by EB White); Charlotte's Web (book by EB White); The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (book by CS Lewis); The Secret of NIMH (book Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C O'Brien); and Homeward Bound (book The Incredible Journey by Shelia Burnford). And on this list I was reminded about Holes by Louis Sachar and Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome.

Did you know Shrek was actually a book (by William Steig) first?

This last one is not a movie you could see in a cinema but I adore it. 

This movie was by made by Weston Woods in 1984. 

Based on the book Corduroy by Don Freeman

These last two books are 32 page picture books turned into full length movies. Other examples are Magic Beach - recently released here in Australia, The Polar Express, Where the Wild things are, Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, Jumanji by Chris van Allsburg and Peter Rabbit. Check out this list. 

The London International Animation Festival Sydney Opera House 2025

 

Image from Gunpowder (France)

The full title of this event is 

The London International Animation Festival - 
celebrating a world of animation for kids

Blurb from the Sydney Opera House: In need of an escape from the Summer sun? Join us for the return of the London International Animation Festival for kids. Our Playhouse has been transformed into a cinema for you and the family to enjoy the best independent animation from across the globe. From stop-motion, claymation, 2D and 3D CGI and everything in between, get comfy in your seats and ready to travel to faraway lands and mysterious planets. Grab some popcorn and get involved in the fun free foyer animation play activations before or after your movie session as we roll out the red carpet for this big screen celebration. This carefully curated programme for our littlest film critics contains the most wonderful animated short films from all around the world. There will be talking animals, heartwarming friendships, fun adventures and wondrous tales to spark everyone's imagination.

Let's unpack this - International - yes - there are films from France, Hungary, UK, Japan, Slovenia/Croatia, Belgium, Germany, USA, Russia, New Zealand, and Lithuania. Celebrating the world - no - Who is missing? There were no films from Australia this year but we do have talented animators as evidenced by the new film release of Magic Beach. There was only one film from South America, and only one from Japan with none from other parts of from Asia. Also nothing from Middle Eastern Countries. I mention them because in past years the Opera House hosted a brilliant film festival for kids called "Little Big Shots" and some of the best short films (live action and animation) at that event were from Iran and Afghanistan. Sadly, I think "Little Big Shots" has now closed but it did run for more than ten years especially in Melbourne.

I was also surprised most of the films were made before 2020. I wonder if this an older selection on loan by the Opera House from the UK Festival. I did read that in the UK The London International Animation Festival screens around 300 independent animated films of every technique, style and genre across London venues for 10 days from late November to early December every year for all ages including a children's selection. 

Anyway, putting all of that aside I did thoroughly enjoy the nine films in the section designed for children aged 6-10. Many also have fabulous music to accompany these mostly 'silent' stories. 

Tickets and session times here (17-19 January 2025). Over the three days, four sessions are available per day 

• 10am & 12pm: Recommended for ages 2 - 6
• 2.30pm & 4.30pm: Recommended for ages 6 - 10
• 7pm: Recommended for ages 10 - 14

Here are the films I saw for ages 6-10 from the 2025 event:

• Spring Jam is based on birds and music and especially Brandenburg' Concerto no. 4 in G major.
• Hedgehog (this is the whole film on YouTube) is a very poignant film featuring a young boy who loved hedgehogs but who had a very dysfunctional and even violent home situation. 
• Gunpowder (trailer) (whole film here) is actually about tea - Phileas travels to China to find some tea and while he is there he encounters a very dangerous dragon.

• Good Heart features a cave family where mum seems to do all the tasks. Finally, everyone has to move into the cave to escape the rain. 
• In Cat Lake City (trailer) a mother duck and her two ducklings keep taking over her towel when all she wants to do is to lie beside the swimming pool. 
• Senses sets up two scenes side by side - one full of colour and the other black and white. Everything is okay until a brightly coloured and slightly crazy frog arrives.

• How much does the cloud Weight was an interesting silent film with a terrific twist in the final scene. 
• Mr Night has a Day off is a clever exploration of night and day. When Night touches things they turn black. We all laughed when he touched a small blue car and it turned into a very large black car!

There was also a bonus film about a fish that needs to find a container of water called Water Path for a Fish or Camino de Agua Para un Pez (El Salvador).

You can see the 2024 selection here. If this topic interests you here is the 2023 kids event held in London.