As a massive fan of Tom and Jerry, the original MGM shorts can't be beat. That said, to me most of their films are enjoyable, with Fast and the Furry Tom and Jerry: The Movie being the only not good ones, and with this film being among the best of them.
There is very little wrong with Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon, my only complaints really being some rushed pacing and Drizelda's out of place musical number. The film however contains some incredibly colourful and detailed animation, with everything beautifully drawn. In simple terms, the animation quality is great and consistently so. The music is not only good music on its own but it fits well, with charmingly lush, energetically rousing and hauntingly suspenseful moments aplenty.
It's a very well written film too, with the dialogue being a mix of amusing and heartfelt, it really warms the heart too in a way that few of the other Tom and Jerry films did. The story, while in need of a slowing down in places, is a winner all round and goes at a lively pace while still making sure the story makes sense. The slapstick humour is hilarious (with the opening being classic Tom and Jerry, just wish there was more), the violence thankfully never veers on sadistic, there are some dark, perilous moments but never to a traumatising extent, it's very cute especially with the adorable dragon, the sense of adventure is exciting and suspenseful and with Athena it contains more emotion than the rest of the Tom and Jerry films and in a way that's really touching.
Tom and Jerry are great fun as ever, the dragon is adorable, Athena is likable and brings poignancy and depth to the story and Drizelda is a fun and sinister villain. All the voice acting is top notch. All in all, lots of fun, a very good Tom and Jerry film and a solid family film. 8/10 Bethany Cox
