I see that this film was made to capitalize on the success of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad which is exactly what I felt this movie played like. The key difference being the fact the special effects just did not fare as well. Well, they got the same director, same hero and villain, but neglected to get the same effects guy. I'm guessing they figured they could do it themselves, how hard can claymation be? Well, Ray's movies look way better than this and it is a shame as for the most part the film is pretty good, but seriously, the last monster looked more cute than terrifying...
The story as a man named Pendragon banished from the kingdom and about to make his return at the princess's birthday celebration. He gives the princess a fine gift of a strange little creature everyone assumes is a puppet; however, it grows and kidnaps the princess! Well, a man named Jack slays the giant and he soon is tasked with escorting the princess into hiding. Unfortunately, Pendragon sends his witches to attack the boat and the sailors are not a brave sort to give chase, but would rather just dump Jack into the sea along with the son of the now deceased captain. Fortune smiles upon Jack though as a viking who has a magic leprechaun plucks Jack and the kid from the sea and soon they storm the castle! Pendragon has a few more tricks up his sleeve thought!
The cast is likable enough and the story is pretty good though it is slow in a couple of places. If they would have just hired Ray, I could have given this thing a seven or eight, but without him the stop motion just is not as good.
So, it was not bad, not as good as other similar outings, but it managed to entertain. I do have to admit, I thought the princess looked better in witch form, but I am into the whole goth chicks thing. You get some fights, you get some stop motion fights and you get chimps and leprechauns saving the day...I guess you could not ask for much more.
