Dragon Rider

This toothless yet genial diversion for younger audiences plays like How to Train Your Dragon set in the present day. Thomas Brodie-Sangster voices Firedrake, a soft-hearted silver dragon on a quest with fierce forest brownie sidekick Sorrel (Felicity Jones). As deforestation threatens their home, can they locate a mythical dragon paradise? The slender plot breezes along amiably, with homeless orphan Ben (Freddie Highmore) also in tow, and dragon-munching monster Nettlebrand (Patrick Stewart) in hot pursuit. Vibrantly realised locales and fine voicework add flavour, with Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar striking comic sparks in support. Although the gags and peril could use more fire-power, the disarming result boasts plenty of underdog charm, and the film gradually finds a modest place of its own in the dragon animation marketplace.