Legend of the Millennium Dragon

Sheer animation brio makes this familiar concoction of traditional Far East fantasy elements an entertaining watch. After fatherless Jun, a well-meaning but ineffectual adolescent schoolboy in modern Kyoto, is suddenly assailed by an “oni” (demon), he seeks refuge in a temple that is actually an intentional time-trap set by mystic priest-king Gen'un. Jun is teleported back 1,200 years to an ancient Nippon in which a budding human civilization suffers attacks from the savage, shape-shifting oni. Jun's heritage, Gen'un explains, marks him as a born warrior-messiah who can summon a powerful spirit-dragon and destroy attackers. But Jun can't imagine himself fighting, even with an entire worshipful city calling him their “savior” and an obedient dragon at his side. His misgivings turn out to be justified after he learns that the oni are not what they seem and Gen'un is not as virtuous as he first appears. Based on Onigamiden, a beloved novel by Takafumi Takada, this fairy-tale fantasy is reminiscent of the acclaimed Princess Mononoke (VL-5/00), even if the plot ultimately turns into a predictable—albeit spectacular—Transformers-style beat-down between increasingly powerful magical beings, with Jun finally realizing his destiny. Presented in a dual-language release, rated PG-13, extras include an art gallery. Recommended. (C. Cassady)