Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Director: Miguel Sapochnik
Writer: Mo Buck
Based on the video game series
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Uma Thurman, Max von Sydow, Toby Jones, Christopher Plummer, Toby Jones, Jamie Bell, Jared Leto, Frank Welker (voice)
Plot: Alduin the Dragon (Frank Welker) is done reviving the Sahloknir the Dragon (Frank Welker). Sahloknir, although back to life, is nothing more than bones that stuck together and it may seem inoffensive at first, but Alduin tells him something and Sahloknir can now breath a frosting breath that freezes things instantly. Sahloknir stays at the top of the mountain overlooking Riverrun at Alduin’s demands.
Gundmare Warlock (Chris Hemsworth) enters the Sleeping Giant Inn alongside Delphine (Uma Thurman). He’s catching his breath and holding his backside. He winces of pain. Delphine, always calm, asks him if he’s alright, he’s the Dragonborn after all. Gundmare turns his head towards her with his eyes wide open. He was just a thug who robbed old people, he never asked to be the Dragonborn. Delphine says he better be used to it, the world depends on him. Gundmare sarcastically says it’s good for him.
If we go in the past a little, we see Gundmare and Delphine hicking the mountain leading to Sahloknir’s grave with Riverrun in the background. Gundmare stops dead in his tracks, he doesn’t understand what he’s doing. Delphine urges him to catch up. Gundmare doesn’t want to, unless Delphine explains what they’re doing. She says he’s the Dragonborn, the Dovahkiin, but Gundmare says she should skip that part, he already knows that. However, based on his laziness since they departed Riverrun, Delphine doesn’t think Gundmare has what it takes to really be the Dovahkiin, so she wants to see him kill a dragon so he can absorb his soul in front of her. Gundmare stares at her and turns around. Delphine rushes down and grabs him by the shoulder. Gundmare says he can’t do it. Delphine says he has already defeated a dragon and absorbed his souls and he defeated multiple enemies so it shouldn’t be any different. Gundmare says it’s entirely different. He had an army to kill the first dragon, but now, he’s all alone with her. They hear Sahloknir screeching and Alduin leaving in the sky. She grabs him by the arm and they rush to the top of the mountain.
Gundmare and Delphine are now face to face with Sahloknir. Sahloknir speaks to Gundmare in the ancient tongue and Delphine asks Gundmare what he’s telling him, but Gundmare shakes his head, he has absolutely no idea. They start their battle against the dragon, who isn’t all that powerful given the fact that it was just revived. Delphine is quick on her feet to dodge its freezing breath. Gundmare runs around swinging his sword at the boney beast. They exchange strikes, but Gundmare is finally able to repeat what he did to claim his first dragon victim and he climbs on top of it and sticks his sword in its eye. He claims his second victim and we can see the soul emerging from Sahloknir’s body and penetrating through Gundmare’s, as Delphine looks on, amazed. He really is the Dragonborn whether she wants to believe it or not.
Delphine’s suspicions are confirmed, she really is working with the Dragonborn. Gundmare is sleeping like a baby in the inn. Delphine asks her husband to tend their inn and she gets in Gundmare’s room and locks the door. She wakes him up and he growls that he doesn’t want to get up yet, he killed a dragon, he earned that rest. Delphine says they need to save the world. He finally gets up and he asks her how an innkeeper knows so much about dragons and isn’t afraid to fight one. Delphine says he isn’t just your regular inn-keeper. She opens the room’s wardrobe and it leads to a basement. She asks Gundmare to follow her, but he’s afraid of what she might do. They get into a room with a giant Skyrim map is on the wall. She shows him all the dragons’ tomb she marked on the map. She opens a chest full of weapons and she finally tells him that she’s not just a regular inn-keeper, she’s a member of the Blades, a secret organization whose goal was to hunt dragons, but after all the dragons were killed, they were hunted by the Thalmors, governing council north of Skyrim whose goal is eradicate the worship of Talos, everyone’s god. The remaining members of the Blades are trying to prevent that, so she’s sure the Thalmors are being the dragons being resurrected, so they need to pay them a visit. The Blades have someone working for them on the inside and they are organizing a party at their embassy. They will go there and investigate. Gundmare is a little hesitant, saying Delphine is just obsessed with the Thalmors and is blaming them because she hates them. Didn’t she just see Alduin resurrecting the other dragon ? Delphine says she knows how it sounds, but she’s so sure. Gundmare says he doesn’t have the clothes to attend a party. All he owns is his armor. Delphine gives him clothes and orders him to change. Gundmare says there’s no way he’s wearing that.
Fast forward to Delphine standing in front of the Thalmor embassy with Gundmare, dressed in an outfit resembling an elf, leggings and all, with pointy shoes. They reach the front door and a guard orders them to give him their swords and weapons. Delphine says she doesn’t have any, but Gundmare gives him a complete arsenal that the poor little guy can’t lift. Delphine stares at Gundmare, but he just lifts his shoulders slightly. They get in the embassy and try to blend in. Delphine spots her contact, Malborn (Toby Jones), manning the bar. Gundmare reaches over and orders a drink. Delphine tells him that he needs to let Gundmare pass, but there are too many people watching. Malborn suggests they should create a distraction to allow Gundmare to sneak out. He says that’s no problem and to just watch him do his thing. He used to do this all the time in taverns all over Skyrim. He immediately reaches over to a wealthy-looking man and he tells him that another guy, as he points at him, thinks he’s richer than him. The two meet in the center and argue over their fortune, causing everyone to look at them. Malborn allows Gundmare to sneak out and he follows Gundmare. He says he has been undercover for so long, he just wants to see some action. Warlock tells him that he doesn’t necessarily looks battle-ready, but Malborn says he’s a wizard and he’s probably better than him at combat. Gundmare says he’d like to see him try. Malborn leads him to the place where they hid the weapons and Gundmare grabs all of them. They need to find proofs about the dragons now, but first, Gundmare needs to change.
The embassy is filled with Thalmors and they will attack if they see Gundmare with his armor. Malborn is so excited to be on a mission. They sneak past a couple of wizards and Malborn struggles to contain his excitement. He guides Gundmare in the embassy and he shows him the archives room where they keep all sorts of things. Warlock says he isn’t the kind of guy who likes to read, so he asks Malborn to look around. He finds a document saying Etienne Ramis, a thief with Blades connection is kept prisoner here and if someone knows something’s going on between the dragons and the Thalmors, it is Ramis. Gundmare will go free him, Malborn can stay here to find something else.
Gundmare sneaks around the embassy using an elaborate map that he gets rid of, it was way too complicated. He decides to do what he does best: improvise. He sees a couple of wizards passing through and he slugs them with his battle axe, it is good to finally see blood again. He makes his way inside the embassy and he opens a door leading to the outside. He interrupts guards talking and the alert has been given. He defends himself against the Thalmors. Malborn has been found a two heavily armed guards bring him out. Gundmare breaks him free and they hide behind a wall. He asks Malborn if he’s ready to fight. He nods slightly, but he knows he’s afraid. He comes out of the hiding spot and is brutally killed by a guard. Gundmare screams that he knew he wasn’t a fighter and that he was better than him. Gundmare slays guards left and right and he’s soon joined by Delphine. He gives her a sword and they head down to the dungeon where Etienne Ramis (Jamie Bell) is kept. Delphine sees him for the first time in years, but he says there’s no time for a reunion. Gundmare carries Ramis out and he points to a cave that could help them escape. They enter the cave and they hear a troubling noise. They hold on tight to their weapons and an ice troll appears before them. They circle it and no one makes a move. The ice troll jumps at Ramis but they save him from a tragic death. They plant their swords in the troll, but it keeps going. Gundmare feels a rage growing in him and he shouts a word, the word he learned with the Greybeards. The ice troll flies across the room. Delphine and Ramis finish it. Gundmare can’t believe what he just did. They escape the cave and run in the Skyrim plains. Ramis says it’s good to see Delphine again. She answers back asking him to cut to the chase and reveal what he knows. He says he doesn’t know anything, but he knows someone who might, Esbern. Delphine is shocked, besides her, he’s the last remaining Blades in Skyrim and believed dead for years. He says he’s refuged in the Ratway Warrens, the place where people go when they do not wish to be found. Etienne knows how to get there, but first Delphine wants to stop at the Inn to grab her things and Esbern’s. The trio walks in the Skyrim country all that and we see the sun pacing in the sky. They reach the Inn at night, Delphine gears up and they’re ready to go.
After another landscape montage, Etienne is seen entering a tomb in the Riften cemetery. He activates a mechanism that opens a door, leading the trio down some stairs. Gundmare expresses some reservation about going down stairs in a cemetery, but both Delphine and Etienne reassure him. Etienne leads them through small tunnels and he finally opens a door. They are now in the middle of a fully-functional underground bar. Etienne welcomes them to the Thieves Guild hideout. The waltzes across the floor and Etienne introduces them to Brynjolf (Jared Leto), the guild’s second-in-command. When they ask him about Esbern, Brynjolf is reluctant. He hasn’t seen Ramis in a long time and now he brings strangers to the Ragged Falcon. Delphine points at Gundmare and she says he’s the Dragonborn. Brynjolf has heard rumors about the Dragonborn but he doesn’t believe they’re true and judging by Gundmare’s appearance, he doesn’t look like the awaited Dovahkiin. Etienne asks Gundmare to do what he did in the cavern and Gundmare says he can’t do it like that. Delphine tells him to concentrate and it will come naturally. Gundmare hypes himself up. He feels it coming and screams a word, sending objects flying to the others side of the room, including several people. Brynjolf now believes him and he will lead him to Esbern and quick, because Warlock just pissed some people off.
Brynjolf opens a door leading to the sewers. He tells them to be careful, lots of unfriendly people travel through the sewers and people may be looking for Esbern there now, after their Thalmor Embassy kerfuffle. He closes the door and locks it. Delphine grabs a torch to help them navigate in the sewers. They walk slowly, methodically, until a woman comes out of nowhere and tries to kill Gundmare. They fight her and are able to defeat her. They grab a note in her pocket, it’s her instructions. She was tasked by the Thalmors to kill the Dragonborn. Delphine and Gundmare agree, they shouldn’t waste any time. They get to a more lighted area and the place is filled with Thalmors. Gundmare and Delphine try to sneak right past them, but they alert everyone. They stand back to back, ready to fend off their enemies. They easily kill the first round of enemies, but they have more trouble with the wizards who kept their distance. They dodge an ice blast and barely avoid an fire blast. Delphine will get their attention running around and Gundmare must kill them. They agree and Delphine gets up. She runs around the room and Gundmare is able to get them all in his sight. He shouts a word and the wizards are sent flying across the room. They kill them and Gundmare says he’s starting to get used to his new status. They hear locks being unlocked from a door in the corner of the room, they get closer, carefully approaching.
Esbern (Max von Sydow) gets out of his closeted room. He gathered his belongings in a small bag and he’s ready to leave. Delphine jumps in his arms, but is careful not to hurt the frail man. Esbern says that as soon as he heard Gundmare shouting, he knew the Dragonborn came for him. Speaking of the Dragonborn, he expected more from the prophet, someone more… heroic, perhaps ? Gundmare is vexed by the comment but he’s starting to get used to it. Delphine says he should accumulate the anger and let it all out when they face Alduin. Gundmare says he isn’t facing Alduin, he’s too humongous. Esbern says he’ll have to face him, it’s his destiny and he must do it alone. He asks if Delphine could come with her, she’s so courageous and he’s not. Esbern says she might not, only the Dragonborn can save the world from the evil Alduin. Esbern says they should get moving and to not worry about him, he knows how to defend himself. His hands light up and right before him appears a flamed human-like creature. It immediately kills an archer, another Thalmor contract killer, who was aiming at the Dragonborn. Gundmare says he’s old, but Esbern came to play! The creature disappears and they all agree they should leave. Esbern knows where to go, but things might get intense.
The trio walks days and nights in the Skyrim country. They frequently stop due to Esbern’s age, but he insists, he will keep on walking. They see a steppe giant and are careful not to wake him in its sleep. During this time, Alduin, is awaking another dragon. He’s building an army. He whispers something to it and the dragon takes flight with a single goal in mind. As the trio is sitting around a fire, Delphine asks Esbern where they’re going and he says they’re going to the Sky Haven Temple, the abandoned Blades fortress to find something that can kill Alduin, a word. Gundmare is excited at the idea of learning a new word, as it makes him badass, but Esbern warns him that he should be careful, he can become really dangerous.
Gundmare, Esbern and Delphine are about to reach the Sky Haven Temple, but are unable to stopped by what appears to be an army of Thalmors, still on the hunt for Delphine and Gundmare after their little stunt at the embassy. They figure out they must get rid of them as there’s no way to get past them, besides, they are probably already inside too. Esbern conjures three creatures from the three elements he masters: fire, ice and electricity. The creatures attack and Esbern now has fire coming out of his hands. Gundmare and Delphine charge in the melee. They are outnumbered, sure, but Esbern, who remains hidden, is able to resuscitate fallen Thalmors and make them fight alongside Gundmare and Delphine. Gundmare is all confused as he doesn’t know who’s with them anymore and Delphine just tells him to slay everyone. The battle is interrupted by the screech of a dragon who lands near the temple. The creature attacks both Thalmors and Blades, so they fight together to defeat it. However, it is much more powerful than the previous dragons Gundmare faced. Esbern’s creatures are ineffective against the dragon and the old man stays hidden. The dragon takes off and the Thalmors archer fire at it to make it fall. Gundmare is conflicted as he could use the opportunity to kill them, but they are useful for their battle against the dragon. The injured creature attacks a group of Thalmors, killing all of them, the archers manage to force it to the ground where the Thalmors gang up on it and injure its wings so he can’t take off. It stomps a bunch of them and Gundmare takes a leap of faith to reach its head. He lifts his sword in the air and pierce the dragon’s eyes with it. He stabs it again in the face and it faints. Gundmare absorbs its soul and the battle resumes. Esbern conjures other creatures and awakens the fallen Thalmor and Gundmare and Delphine are victorious.
When they get inside, Esbern gives them a little tour. He hopes the Thalmors didn’t find anything important, but the crown jewel of the Blades armory remains. He asks Gundmare to lift it and keep it; Dragonbane it’s called. It was used by the best Blades members and it’s the only remaining sword of its kind, particularly effective against dragons. They go down some stairs and reach an open area with a huge stone wall with words written on it. Esbern introduces them to Alduin’s Wall. He recalls the story of Alduin, as told by the frieze wall. In the end, it shows Alduin being defeated by a Shout and there’s a Word written on it. He believes this is the Shout that can defeat Alduin. Esbern grabs Gundmare by the shoulders. He’s about to start the ritual so he can accept the Word. Gundmare admits that it freaks him out a little. Esbern recitates the Dragonslayer’s Blessing and orders the Dragonborn to get closer to the wall. We see the Word entering Gundmare’s soul. They ask him to shout the word, but he’s unable to. They ask him how he’s able to shout then and he says he learned it from old people with thick white beards the top of the mountains, the Whitebeards or something like that. Delphine can’t believe it, he’s with the Greybeards. Gundmare doesn’t understand why it matters and Esbern, although he thinks it isn’t optimal, it is necessary for Gundmare to learn the Shout, so he must deal with the Greybeards. He asks them why they don’t like the Greybeards but they avoid the subject. He will go there alone. Delphine will host Esbern at the Inn. He must come back to save the world and above all else, he should be careful up there in High Hrothgar. He reminds them that he never agreed to saving the world and he doesn’t really know what he’s doing, but they don’t seem to mind.
Arngeir (Christopher Plummer) is washing his face in High Hrothgar, he’s anticipating a visit from the Dovakhiin, he felt it. He communicates in silence with peers and he tells them to get ready. He does a little bit of vocal exercise. He hasn’t spoken since the Dovakhiin’s last visit. When he hears Gundmare knocking on the door, he knows it’s time. He opens the door and Gundmare is creeped out by how silent it is up there. Arngeir say they have no time to lose. He tells them he was ordered to be careful about them and Arngeir asks them who said that and Gundmare said the Blades did. Arngeir then refuses to help the Dovahkiin until another Greybeard shouts at Arngeir, reminding him of his duty. He teaches him three new Words, Clear Skies, which removes all weather effects. After he learns it, Gundmare it’s a pretty useless Word and Arngeir doesn’t react. He takes him outside to the edge of their manor, where a furious snowstorm is always blowing. Gundmare shouts the Clear Skies and the snowstorm ends. Arngeir tells him to take the scroll om his right and climb the stairs.
Gundmare is exhausted when he reaches the summit. He shouts again until he sees a dragon standing in front of it. Gundmare takes out Dragonbane, but the dragon, Paarthurnax (Frank Welker) says he’s not here to kill him. Paarthurnax breathes fire on a wall revealing another word for Gundmare, Fire Breath, so he can breath fire like a dragon. Gundmare says he can’t wait to impress his friends with this. Paarthurnax reminds him to stay serious. He tells his story to Gundmare. He was an acolyte of Alduin in his war against mankind years ago. He betrayed him, allowing mankind to win. He vowed to stay here to help mankind if Alduin was to appear again. He teaches Gundmare how to shout the word he learned in the cave and he tells him that it can defeat Alduin, but he also needs an Elder Scroll (the scroll Gundmare took before leaving High Hrothgar) to cast him on to the tides of time. Paarthurnax asks Gundmare to read the scroll. Gundamre is transported in a vision, where he sees three Nordic heroes defeating Alduin and banishing him into time. Paarthurnax says he must do exactly that to defeat Alduin. Gundmare says it’s impossible, they were three and he is alone, but… their conversation is interrupted by Alduin who attacks Paarthurnax. The two dragons battle it out and Gundmare uses his newly acquired shouts to participate. They injure Alduin but it is far more superior to Paarthurnax. They battle for about five minutes when Paarthurnax tells Gundmare it’s time for him to use the Shout. He begins to shout the word, but Alduin remembers, so it flies away to safety. Somehow, it got to it and Alduin is injured. It breathes fire on villages down below and disappears behind mountains on the horizon. Exhausted, Gundmare wonders how he got into this mess , and it is far from over.
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