Many heroic tales feature brave warriors rescuing poor girls. This isn’t one of them. The beginning of the magnificent new fantasy film starring Millie Bobby Brown unfolds in such a way that we immediately know there will be a young woman in distress, in need of saving herself.
After a brief introduction where the brave warriors battle a fire-breathing dragon, Elodie (Brown) is shown “in a faraway land centuries later” chopping wood. She lives in a separate, chilly community with her dear little sister Floria (a lovely Brook Carter) who is facing dire circumstances.
She has even resorted to trading the curtains of her palace for firewood. However, shortly after, a courier presents her with a letter sealed with a royal seal. Elodie is being offered a substantial dowry by a queen, which would help her land become prosperous in exchange for becoming the bride of a prince. Despite her reluctance, Elodie is willing to go to great lengths to support her community.
Leonine re Vinshton portrays her father, Lord Beford, and in an attempt to make the idea even more appealing, says, “I know you’ve always wanted to travel.” The excitement, abundance, and grandeur of the queen’s palace astonish Elodie and Floria, and their welcome reassures them. Nick Robinson’s Prince Henry is exactly the charming prince one would expect from a fairy tale. Another character is his mother, played by Robin Wright as Isabella. She’s regal but distant, rejecting Elodie’s stepmother, Lady Beford (a subtly used Angela).
Lady Beford becomes increasingly concerned that something is amiss, but the wedding proceeds nonetheless, with all the pomp and grandeur expected of a fictional royal wedding. Thanks to Patrick Tatopoulos’s production design and Amanda Monk’s costumes, the entire show is visually stunning. The sight of the wedding is breathtaking. Keep an eye out for the scenes where we see Elodie being helped into her magnificent wedding gown. The significance of this moment – which represents a transformation from a tomboy to a beauty – will become clearer later.
After the wedding, a strange ritual is held near the entrance to the cave. Courtiers are clad in ominous robes. Isabella cuts the palms of the newlyweds with her knife, mixing their blood. Then, it is revealed that Elodie is to be offered as a sacrifice to the dragon within the cave, as per ancient agreements that prevent the dragon from harming anyone else in the land.
Thus, we journey from a cave reminiscent of “Cinderella” to “Die Hard,” where Elodie attempts to escape the dragon. Once again, the dragon is impeccably designed, and Shoere Agdashloo’s voice gives it a terrifying aura. Do you still remember that dress? Elodie MacGyvers it into a survival kit that looks like it was made by James Bond’s Q. She removes what my Hollywood fashion designer daughter claims is a corset busk – that is, a stiff board placed under the bodice – and uses it to sharpen the knife against the cave wall.
In this section of the film, Elodie faces numerous challenges and progresses in a manner similar to a computer game. When left alone for extended periods, Brown excels at toggling between fear and resolve. Revelations are made, particularly when characters once again enter the tunnel.
The locations are filled with attractive descriptions that illuminate some of the plot’s weaknesses, so it’s unfortunate that it’s not being shown on the big screen. However, even on the small screen, the innovative, female-centric retelling of a classic story – which includes a hint of powerful sisterhood towards the conclusion – makes it worth watching.
