“Everyone
believes that the time of
dragons has passed. But the time
of dragons has only just begun...
Every 500 years a young woman is
born
who possesses a spirit power
that can turn a serpent into the
mightiest dragon of all. A good serpent
will use this mighty power to protect
the universe. An evil serpent will use it
to destroy the world. Now is the time
for the spirit to be awakened. Now is
the time
for destiny to unfold...” AN UPDATE OF AN ANCIENT KOREAN LEGEND, Dragon Wars is a stunning
and dramatic film that has the lot — romance, mysticism, period scenes,
adventure, thrills, magical music and terrific special effects.
While investigating a series of natural disasters, television reporter Ethan
Kendrick (Jason Behr:television's Roswell, The Grudge) makes an amazing
discovery: Mythical creatures are real, and posing a threat to modern day Los
Angeles. Half-buried in the ground is what looks like an animal's scales and
a Native American (Eloy Casados) accuses: "They have awakened them!"
But this is not the first time that strange things have happened to Ethan. Fifteen
years earlier, while in Jack's Antiques with his father, an ancient box opens
in front of Ethan and emits a beautiful glow, behind which he sees the large
scales of a creature.
Jack (Robert Forster) sends Ethan's father on an errand before he tells the
boy that the scales are from an Imoogi — a serpent of Korean legend that,
as a reward for its good deeds, is transformed into a celestial dragon. He tells
Ethan a story:
In Korea, in 1507, Narin is born. Master Bochun (Jihwan Min) tells her father
that when she reaches the age of 20 she will be sacrificed because she was born
with the Yuh Yi Joo that Heaven intended for the Good Imoogi. But at the age
of 19, Narin (Hyojin Ban) is in love with Haram (Jin Hyun) and the Dark Imoogi
has already begun to seek the Yuh Yi Joo — if he finds it, a terrible disaster
will befall the village. Soon the forces of the Dark Imoogi are besieging the
city and Bochun gives Haram a pendant to protect him...
Jack gives Ethan the very same pendant and tells him that he was Master Bochun
from 500 years ago, and that Ethan was Haram…
Back in modern-day Los Angeles, it is now up to the grown up Ethan to find Narin
and save her and Los Angeles from the evil that will soon be dropping in on
them — but meanwhile, a young woman named Sarah (Amanda Brooks) is behaving
strangely and is becoming obsessed with ancient symbols.
What will happen when the 500-year-old army arises from the dust and —
complete with giant serpents, dragons and other mythical creatures — attacks
Los Angeles in modern-day America? How does the present day Sarah link to Narin
of five centuries ago? Will Ethan get to Narin, save the world and save the
girl? He is racing against time and the danger is drawing ever closer…
Dragon Wars was Written and Directed by Hyung Rae Shim and has magical
music by Steve Jablonsky. The Director of Photography was Hubert Taczanowski
and the wonderful visual effects were designed and created by Younggu Art Studios.
The film also features Chris Mulkey as Agent Frank Pinsky, Aimee Garcia as Brandy,
John Ales as Agent Judah Campbell and Jongman Lee as the evil Lord Tun.
With staggering special effects and a cast of familiar faces that includes Robert
Forster (Charlie's Angels, Full Throttle, Jackie Brown), Dragon Wars
is a thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure that will keep you riveted.
• Dragon Wars is available to buy on
DVD and Blu-ray (and to rent on DVD) from 19 May (2008), courtesy of Sony Pictures
Home Entertainment. DVD RRP: £19.99.
"An update of an ancient Korean legend, Dragon Wars is a stunning and
dramatic film that has the lot — romance, mysticism, period scenes, adventure,
thrills, magical music and terrific special effects" — MotorBar
“Everyone
believes that the time of