I watched Eragon today. I have heard from people who have read the novel that the movie was a major disappointment. Thus, I decided to see the movie and then read the book.

My main complaint with the movie was that it tried to cram too much background information into the first part of the movie. This leads to a slow start. I think it would have been much better to begin with the actual movie story and backfill whatever background is necessary through the story and the dialogue.

I enjoyed the movie. However, I do think the plot followed well worn themes in fantasy literature without really adding new. At one point in time, English literature consistently portrayed dragons as evil, owing in large part to Genesis and Revelation in the Bible. Showing Dragons as good instead of evil was a fresh idea in English fantasy literature at one point in time. That time is long past. I suspect that the abundance of good dragons in current fantasy literature derives from far eastern culture. However it got its start, it is no longer a source of freshness in a novel. Even the concept of a dragon rider is well worn. Anne McCaffrey has explored this theme in depth in her Pern series of novels. The basic plot is very a traditional heroic fantasy. A youth must save the world from evil by engaging in a quest. This theme runs throughout the genre from Sir Galahad to Luke Skywalker.

Although the plot is somewhat formulaic and simplistic, the movie worked well. After the beginning, the pacing kept the show moving. The characters were fun. The main character showed flaws that made the story line more believable. The special effects were good, if not spectacular. The movie is not in a class with Lord of the Rings but was still entertaining. I look forward to reading the novel for comparison.

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I've read numerous blog posts about the execution of Sadaam.  They range from denunciations of the Bush administration to cheers.  I disagree with both extremes.  I think the execution was necessary for the safety of the Iraqi people.  However, I find that necessity somewhat sad .

Sadaam was clearly a horrible dicatator and was responsible for the viscous murders of untold numbers of his own citizens.  Iraq is such a young and unstable country that they couldn't safely hold him to prevent his future escape.  As such, the Iraqi government had an obligation to protect its citizens by executing Sadaam.

Many people have argued that he should have been tried by an international tribunal.  Sadaam's crimes were primarily against the Iraqi people.  The nature of his crimes make his trial by the Iraqis the most proper means of justice.  In addition, the Iraqi government must continue the process of establishing itself as a legitimate government.  The most important function of a government is to oversee justice for its citizens through its legal system.  One sure way of demonstrating that a government is not legitimate is to farm out its system of justice to foreign powers.  If a government cannot operate a legal system, it is no true government.  The Iraqis will never be able to govern themselves and provide for their own security if they are incapable of such basic functions.  I don't think there was any choice but to try Sadaam in the Iraqi justice system.  Under that system, there was no real alternative to his execution.  Even though he was not tried under Western moral principles, I think even those principles left no choice but to execute him.

Even though it was absolutely clear to me that his execution was necessary, I find the execution sad.  I am a consistent advocate of the right to life.  However, we live in a fallen world where governments cannot always maintain a right to life.  As near as I can tell from reports, there is no evidence that Sadaam ever repented his crimes against humanity.  It is sad that he must die before coming to understand his crimes enough to repent and reconcile himself with God.  I mourn the deaths of all Sadaams victims.  I also mourn his death and hope that at some point before that death he repented and made peace with his creator.