Intended as the first instalment of a trilogy based on the novels by Christopher Paolini, Eragon is an old-fashioned sword and sorcery epic that cowers in the shadow of Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings films.

Comparisons between the two series are inevitable. Unfortunately, Stefen Fangmeier's modest effort looks cheap and cheerful in comparison.

At times, Eragon seems to be using the Tolkien films as its template, with myriad aerial shots of the adventurers on horseback.

Many years ago, the Dragon Riders reigned over the kingdom of Alagaesia until warrior Galbatorix (Malkovich) used his gift against the other riders and seized power, plunging Alagaesia into darkness.

While rebel forces, the Varden, fled to the Beor Mountains to escape Galbatorix and his evil sorcerer, Durza (Carlyle), the people of the land dreamed of a day when dragons would return.

Young farm boy Eragon (Speleers) chances upon a dragon egg in the forest, which has been hidden by the beautiful warrior Arya (Guillory).

The egg hatches and Eragon forges an unbreakable bond with the dragon called Saphira (voiced by Weisz), embarking on a perilous quest to restore harmony to Alagaesia, aided by the sage, Brom (Irons).

The screenplay is littered with unintentionally hilarious dialogue like when Eragon questions his mentor's wise words, "How do you know all this?" and Brom responds, "Because I've been about a bit."

Speleers has the classic pretty boy looks, but his acting isn't wholly convincing.

Malkovich and Carlyle trade sneers while Guillory squeezes herself into a series of figure hugging bodices, which draw attention away from her expressionless face.

Action sequences are competently directed and the computer effects are seamlessly integrated with the live action, but the editing is blurry.

With the reported $100m budget of this film, which is unlikely to be recouped at the box office, Eragon's journey may very well end here.