The city of Lloris was built and ruled by elves for millennia. Then the humans came to trade. Then they settled. Finally, they moved against the elves and forced them from their ancient city. Today, the elves are viewed as legend, not seen in two centuries.
Elwynn Brokenleaf (Stuart Brennan) and Tyfell Fallenoak (Richard Goss) are wood elves out on a hunt. While ranging near the ancient city, they spot a naked human flee through the woods. The man, Cameron, is brought down by other humans. The humans castrate him, apply hot tar, and then a basket of feathers. They leave him to die. Tyfell left an apple at the man's side though Elwynn thought it a waste.
Lloris is now ruled by the sheriff (Billy Boyd) and his yellow-clad goon squad. Each day, taxes are raised, putting out business after business. The castrated man had been a baker who could not pay the tax; the punishment was extreme. Emily (Aliona Baranova) is something of a leader among the people, aiding other bakers in paying the taxes. Cameron has slipped back into town and tells his tale of elves and apples. Emily takes the apple and has a grand plan.
Emily's parents had ruled the city before the sheriff came. She was too young to know how the sheriff replaced her parents. However, her parents had a fondness for elf things - like goblets - and knew some elf lore. One thing Emily remembered was how to summon elves:
As once we were lost, together we may be found, let us come to speak and find common ground
She spoke the words at the foot of a great tree in the woods with the elfin apple as a focus. Sure enough, an elf appeared. Llanofinn Brokenleaf (Jennifer English) was not happy to talk to a human and had little sympathy for her plight. Nonetheless, she agreed to consult with the elves and give an answer about aiding against the tyrannical sheriff.
The characters are mostly bland. Billy Boyd doesn't sell himself as a villain. Sure, he delivers bad guy lines, but has the face of a friendly hobbit. Stuart is flat as Elwynn, which kind of works but also makes him boring. He offers all sorts of sage wisdom to the young Tyfell and takes everything at a slow walk. Emily is explained backwards. Her oddly high status among the bakers is not explained until we learn of her origins. Her friend Sam likewise gets major character development in the climax. These revelations should not be surprises, since all the citizens know them and only the viewer is left in the dark.
The story progresses at a snail's pace and there is very little action. When there is action, it is typically a case where the elf fires the bow then we cut to see a man with an arrow in him. Same goes for sword cuts. Slash with sword, cut to man with bloody gash. When the elvish sword dancer arrives, she spins in close up. No choreography at all. Despite being set in a fantasy setting, there was very little action. It is very talky. So much dialogue.
The movie ends with a massive plot twist, a flipping of the table and a backstab extraordinaire. The twist does not end the story but demands more story that does not come. Nope, movie over. Was this made with a sequel in mind?
Slow and plodding. Skip.
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