History YMMV / Eragon

* WTHCastingAgency:
** Sienna Guillory's casting as Arya raised some eyebrows, mostly because she looks absolutely nothing like the character in the books (the latter is said to have green eyes, black hair and dresses in black leather, while her movie version is a blue-eyed redhead clad mostly in white or lighter colors). Some of these things could, in theory have been changed, but across the board it's fairly obvious that holding to the appearances of the book characters was considered unimportant. Guillory's performance isn't generally one of the things most criticised in the film, but there are still complains about the lack of physical resemblance as well as the AdaptationPersonalityChange. Interestingly enough, she portrayed Jill Valentine in ''Film/ResidentEvilApocalypse'' as an AloofDarkHairedGirl, so she would have been certainly capable of playing Arya more canon accurate.
** John Malkovich as the evil overlord in a fantasy epic. Not only does he provide the majority of the film's {{Narm}} in his short screen time, but there's no reason for him to even be in the film. Galbatorix is an off page character in the books, not appearing until the fourth. With Durza playing the film's antagonist, it's not as though they needed to do more than have him as TheGhost.

* SoOkayItsAverage: The story is generic and derivative, but at worst it's just inoffensive and forgettable, so most viewers can at least take some enjoyment in the SceneryPorn and the weird-but-great special effects, especially those who haven't read the book and so can approach it with a fresh pair of eyes.

* ClicheStorm: The ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' was already strongly criticized for the unoriginality of its story, setting, and characters, and the plot of the first book in particular has often been accused of being very derivative of ''Film/ANewHope'', so [[FranchiseOriginalSin it was inevitable that the film adaptation would receive similar criticism]]. However, since the film either removed or severely downplayed the more memorable elements of the books while adding nothing new to make the story stand out, it is widely considered even more unoriginal than its source material. However, it ''is'' more creative in some superficial decisions, like the zombie ninjas and the smoke dragons, and even makes a conscious effort to tone down some of the more blatant Tolkien similitudes, such as by portraying the Urgals as feral humans when the book Urgals are pretty just orcs by a different name.

* ClicheStorm: The ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' was already strongly criticized for the unoriginality of its story, setting, and characters, and the plot of the first book in particular has often been accused of being very derivative of ''Film/ANewHope'', so [[FranchiseOriginalSin it was inevitable that the film adaptation would receive similar criticism]]. However, since the film either removed or severely downplayed the more memorable elements of the books while adding nothing new to make the story stand out, it is widely considered even more unoriginal than its source material (though it ''is'' more creative in some superficial decisions, like the zombie ninjas and the smoke dragons).

* SoOkayItsAverage: Those who haven't read the books can at least get some enjoyment out of a harmlessly mediocre fantasy adventure movie, with some great-even-if-weird effects and dragons.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Largely the reason it's disliked by many fans. In fairness, there are numerous changes which do things like ruinining emotional connections (like having Saphira instantly grow up and name herself rather than growing over time and being named after [[spoiler:Brom's Dragon]]) or causing issues with future book plots (like having the Ra'zac be tied to Durza and [[spoiler:die during the movie]]). However the major issues that do exist can also make complaints about things that are ultimately unimportant (like Saphira having {{feathered|dragons}} wings instead of leathery) come across this way.

* {{Narm}}:
** King Galbatorix's line "I suffer without my stone. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis DO NOT. PROLONG. MY SUFFERING]]." It is obviously meant to sound dramatic and threatening, but the wooden delivery and awkward wording make it unintentionally hilarious.
** In contrast to Creator/JeremyIrons giving his best with what he was given as Brom, it seems his Spanish voice actor Manolo García knew what kind of movie he was in. The greatest line might be when Brom startles Eragon into screaming, which in this case brings out an indignant "DON'T SCREAM SO MUUUUCH, BY GOOOOOOOD" that is utterly hilarious to hear.

* {{Narm}}: King Galbatorix's line "I suffer without my stone. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis DO NOT. PROLONG. MY SUFFERING]]." It is obviously meant to sound dramatic and threatening, but the wooden delivery and awkward wording make it unintentionally hilarious.

* BrokenBase: Ed Speleers's performance divides a lot of fans. Some felt he was miscast both for his looks (Eragon of the book being dark haired and brown eyed) and for the {{Narm}} in some scenes. Others felt he gave a good performance with what he was given, and in fact, he was the only other cast member to get critical praise besides Jeremy Irons. Notably, despite the film's tepid reception, he was still nominated for a Saturn Award.

* BrokenBase: Ed Speleers's performance divides a lot of fans. Some felt he was miscast both for his looks (Eragon of the book being dark haired and brown eyed) and for the {{Narm}} in some scenes. Others felt he gave a good performance - as he was the only other cast member to get critical praise besides Jeremy Irons. Notably despite the film's tepid reception, he was still nominated for a Saturn Award.
* ClicheStorm: The ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' was already strongly criticized for the unoriginality of its story, setting, and characters, and the plot of the first book in particular has often been accused of being very derivative of ''Film/ANewHope'', so [[FranchiseOriginalSin it was inevitable that the film adaptation would receive similar criticism]]. However, since the film either removed or severely downplayed the more memorable elements of the books while adding nothing new to make the story stand out, it is widely considered even more unoriginal than its source material.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Largely the reason it's disliked by many fans. In fairness, there are numerous changes which do things like ruin emotional connections (like having Saphira instantly grow up and name herself rather than growing over time and being named after [[spoiler:Brom's Dragon]]) or cause issues with future book plots (like having the Ra'zac be tied to Durza and [[spoiler:die during the movie]]). However the major issues that do exist can also make complaints about things that are ultimately unimportant (like Saphira having {{feathered|dragons}} wings instead of leathery) come across this way.

** Sienna Guillory's casting as Arya raised some eyebrows, mostly because she looks absolutely nothing like the character in the books (the latter is said to have green eyes, black hair and dresses in black leather, while her movie version is a blue-eyed redhead clad mostly in white or lighter colors). Some of these things could, in theory have been changed, but across the board it's fairly obvious that holding to the appearances of the book characters was considered unimportant. Guillory's performance isn't generally one of the things most criticised in the film, there are still complains about the lack of physical resemblance as well as the AdaptationPersonalityChange. Interestingly enough, she portrayed Jill Valentine in ''Film/ResidentEvilApocalypse'' as an AloofDarkHairedGirl, so she was certainly capable of playing Arya more canon accurate.

** Ajihad is given a receding hairline with long straight black hair that just looks ridiculous, and they'd have been better off leaving Djimon Honsou with his regular bald head.

*** Dwarves are no shorter or stouter than humans. Someone could be forgiven for believing there are no dwarves in the movie.
*** Urgals are perhaps the biggest change from the book, where they are grey, horned and generally larger than humans (being up to nine feet tall). In contrast in the movie they are entirely human looking barbarians, differentiated only by their face paint and clothing.

* RelationshipWritingFumble: Despite the attempt to portray Arya and Eragon as {{Implied Love Interest}}s, as noted below, they don't seem to make much of a connection. He has more chemistry and meaningful interactions with Murtagh, who at the very least becomes FireForgedFriends with him. This gets pretty awkward for anyone who has read the books, given that it's revealed [[spoiler:Eragon and Murtagh are half-brothers]].

* RelationshipWritingFumble: Despite the attempt to portray Arya and Eragon as {{Implied Love Interest}}s, as noted below, they don't seem to make much of a connection. He has more chemistry and meaningful interactions with Murtagh, who at the very least becomes FireForgedFriends with him. This gets pretty awkward for anyone who has read the books, given that it's revealed [[spoiler:Eragon and Murtagh are brothers]].

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The theme while riding Saphira.

* DifficultySpike: As soon as you enter the forest.

* GameBreaker: Bone Break.
* SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome: Fighting giant Urgals, riding Saphira, and [[spoiler: using the final weapon]].
* {{Narm}}: Quite a bit.

* ThatOneBoss: The first Kull and the second Ra'zac.
* ThatOneSidequest: The Second Dragon tower.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: Murtagh and Hrothgar sharing a smile at the end of the battle becomes this when you remember [[spoiler:that Murtagh killed Hrothgar in ''Eldest'', book 2 of the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'']].

** Ajihad is given a receding hairline with long straight black hair that just looks ridiculous, and they'd have been better off leaving Djimon Honsou with his regular BaldOfAwesome.

* PresumedFlop: The film is often mentioned as if it were a gigantic BoxOfficeBomb. In reality, it was a domestic failure but preformed adequately with the help of the international box office, making $250 million worldwide off a $100 million budget. The director even said Fox were "moderately happy" with the worldwide profits. However it was panned critically and received a great deal of backlash from fans of the books, halting plans for a sequel.

** Nasuada likewise has what looks like a SciFiBobHaircut with a modern fringe. They might've been trying to give her PowerHair but it looks more like a modern bowl cut.

** Nasuada likewise has what looks like a SciFiBobHaircut with a modern fringe.

* ClicheStorm: The ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' was already strongly criticized for the unoriginality of its story, setting, and characters, and the plot of the first book in particular has often been accused of being very derivative of ''Film/ANewHope'', so it was inevitable that the film adaptation would receive similar criticism. However, since the film either removed or severely downplayed the more memorable elements of the books while adding nothing new to make the story stand out, it is widely considered even more unoriginal than its source material.
* CommonKnowledge: The film is often mentioned as if it were a gigantic BoxOfficeBomb. In reality, it was a domestic failure but preformed adequately with the help of the international box office, making $250 million worldwide off a $100 million budget. The director even said Fox were "moderately happy" with the worldwide profits. However it was panned critically and received a great deal of backlash from fans of the books, halting plans for a sequel.

* HilariousInHindsight: Some of the back covers for the movie describe it as the first film in "the ''Inheritance'' '''''Trilogy'''''". During the writing of the third book, Christopher Paolini decided the story was too complex for one book and so split the stiry between two books, making it a [[TrilogyCreep four-book series]].

* RelationshipWritingFumble: Despite the attempt to portray Arya and Eragon as {{Implied Love Interest}}s, as noted below, they don't seem to make much of a connection. He has more chemistry and interaction with Murtagh, who at the very least has become FireForgedFriends with him.

----* BrokenBase: Ed Speleers's performance divides a lot of fans. Some felt he was miscast both for his looks (Eragon of the book being dark haired and brown eyed) and for the {{Narm}} in some scenes. Others felt he gave a good performance - as he was the only other cast member to get critical praise besides Jeremy Irons. Notably despite the film's tepid reception, he was still nominated for a Saturn Award.

----
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The score by Patrick Doyle may only feature one main tune, but it's a great tune.
* BrokenBase: Ed Speleers's performance divides a lot of fans. Some felt he was miscast both for his looks (Eragon of the book being dark haired and brown eyed) and for the {{Narm}} in some scenes. Others felt he gave a good performance - as he was the only other cast member to get critical praise besides Jeremy Irons. Notably despite the film's tepid reception, he was still nominated for a Saturn Award.