I was a huge fan of Dragonlance novels growing up, back when the novels were relatively new and we had to wait for new books to come out. Now there’s over 150 books in the Dragonlance saga, so waiting isn’t really an issue.

I was a fan because I thought they were told from a very cinematic standpoint. I could easily visualize the Heroes of the Lance going into battle against the Dragons of Krynn. This was before Lord of the Rings proved what a fantasy movie could be, and I’d still love to see someone bring these movies to life.

To some degree that dream comes true on January 15th, as an animated version of Dragonlance’s first book, Dragons of Autumn Twilight comes to DVD. The movie sets in motion an epic tale as dragons return to the fantasy world of Krynn for the first time in 300 years, and a makeshift band of rogues, warriors, wizards, and a mysterious priestess with a blue crystal staff come together in a battle that could lead them against the evil goddess of the world herself.

While an animated tale isn’t exactly what I imagined when I first read the novels, they didn’t exactly scrimp on the talent. The movie utilizes the vocal skills of Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) as the tormented half-elf leader Tanis, Lucy Lawless as the priestess Goldmoon, and Kiefer Sutherland as my favorite character, wizard Raistlin Majere – a pretty inspired casting decision, frankly.

Check out Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight on DVD January 15th.