Film Review – Damsel (2024)

From Juan Carlos Fresndillo, the director of “28 Weeks Later”, and Dan Mazeau, the writer of “Fast X” and “Wrath of the Titans,” “Damsel” seeks to update fairy tale storytelling for a more empowered generation of viewers. Set in “a faraway land,” the feature returns to the threat of a dragon and the desperation of a kingdom, establishing a crisis not unlike the one found in 1981’s “Dragonslayer.” However, instead of magic and mystery, “Damsel” offers a YA version of danger, with the picture looking to turn star Millie Bobby Brown into a warrior strong enough to launch a new franchise of fantasy action adventures. Fresndillo supplies candied visuals and Mazeau delivers formula, making for an easily digestible viewing experience, especially for the target demographic. What the endeavor lacks is a real sense of danger and doom, missing a grand opportunity to play with the horrors of dragon combat in an ultimately disappointing effort. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com