Missed Opportunity (SPOILERS!)

This is a film filled with interesting twists for the genre. The hero isn't really the hero in the end, just a carrier pigeon or sorcerous UPS man. The princess nobly sacrifices herself, but it's a dumb sacrifice. Also, she's horribly killed. The dragon gets to mourn its young. Others take credit for the wizard's work. My favourite is Valerian ducking out of the lotto and kinda being a coward there.

But I think they missed the opportunity for a good one. When Tyrion confronts Galen as Galen attempts to save Elspeth, I thought Tyrion was going to want to slay the dragon. Instead of fighting him, I figured Tyrion was going to go, "Hate me all you want; that's fair, I'm a sadist. But I'm also a fine warrior - a sight better than you, whelp - so give me the spear and let's go in to this together." Could've been a mesmerizing turnaround - forcing Galen to accept help from his enemy and rival. It would have been neat in the cave if Galen wound up cowering under the shield as bait while Tyrion leapt on the dragon with the spear.

Tyrion might have died in the cave or just said, "Nuts to this!" after failing. Ah, heck, it could've been a double twist if Galen confronted Tyrion, slapping away the (useful) help so he could get revenge for Hodge's murder. It still could have fallen out roughly the same, but with one more turnabout to throw off the audience.