Promotional material for Eragon, a fantasy movie based on a novel author Christopher Paolini started writing when he was only 15, includes a useful glossary. Perusing it, I was able to learn the following important facts:

• King Galbatorix rules the western part of Alagaesia. Those who know Galbatorix definitely will want to be heading east.

• The Varden make their home in the Beor Mountains southeast of Alagaesia, which I tell you just in case you're making travel plans.

• The beautiful Arya is the guardian of the dragon egg.

From watching the movie, I learned that said dragon egg (blue and the size of a small watermelon) sets off a whole lot of rumbling because it just might signal the return of the Dragon Riders. And you know what that means - at least you do if you're a reader between the ages of 8 and 15.

Look, if you're in that category, read no further. Go enjoy the movie.

As for me, I've been Eragoned, and I don't feel particularly good about it. I've been drawn into a fantasy world where young Eragon (Ed Speleers) learns to ride the dragon Saphira, which is an important thing if he's going to defeat Durza (Robert Carlyle), a shade. No, not something you put on a lamp, but a sorcerer possessed by evil spirits.

Speleers evidently was turned up in a worldwide search, which seems surprising. I wouldn't think you'd have to look all that hard to find a teen-ager with a boy-band look.

I have no idea how Paolini's fans - and they're evidently legion - will respond to the big-screen adaptation of his novel, which is a bit on the Lord of the Rings Lite side. For me, the movie, although possessed of some captivating storybook moments and an impressive enough dragon, was mostly an overblown bore that made me laugh when it wasn't supposed to.

Although they're given exotic names, many of the fantasy elements seem generic. We have dense forests, village huts with thatched roofs, characters with magical powers and a set of rules that sound as if they were lifted from a board game. An example: If a dragon dies its rider doesn't. If the rider dies, the dragon checks out, as well.

To support Speleers, the filmmakers have assembled a strong adult cast. Jeremy Irons plays Brom, Eragon's mentor, a former dragon rider who opposes an exploitative king. Robert Carlyle appears as the evil Durza, and Djimon Hounsou portrays Ajihad, the Varden.

Although he has not been given much screen time, John Malkovich manages to chew some scenery as King Galbatroix. When we meet him, he's not happy. "I suffer without my stone," he says. Well, who doesn't?

To become a full-fledged dragon rider, Eragon must learn to ride Saphira, who seems to be able to move at jet-propelled speeds, dipping through canyons and diving toward the Earth. She also can read Eragon's thoughts, and he can read her thoughts. They're constantly conversing. (The dragon's voice is provided by Rachel Weisz.) Gradually, Saphira becomes a bona fide, fire-breathing dragon.

The movie's great battle - the battle of Farthen Dur - may leave you bleary-eyed. And much of the movie has been given a dark hue, which was OK with me because I didn't feel all that compelled to see what was happening on screen anyway.