My 3-year-old son has reached the point in life where he has declared naps to be completely uncool. To tackle this, my husband and I have introduced “quiet time” in the afternoon, which allows him to either watch a movie or play quietly with his toys in his room. I’ll let you guess which option he tends to pick more often.
One Sunday afternoon, we decided to introduce him to How to Train Your Dragon (2010), a film neither my husband nor I had seen before. Our son was captivated for most of it until he dozed off halfway through. Ben and I ended up watching the entire movie, and by the time it finished, we found ourselves in tears, looking at each other, overwhelmed by how beautiful it was.
This made me all the more excited to see the live-action remake. Not to mention there’s also the Isle of Berk park at Epic Universe in Orlando, but that’s a story for another day.
How to Train Your Dragon tells the story of Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young and determined boy who is the son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler). Hiccup longs to join his fellow Vikings in the fight against dragons that threaten their home. These dragons have been terrorizing the island, stealing food and resources, so the community prepares the youth to take up arms against the enemy.
One day, during a dragon battle, Hiccup sneaks away and manages to capture a rare Night Fury.
In a surprising turn of events, he forms a friendship with this dragon, whom he names Toothless. Their unique bond uncovers the true nature of dragons and challenges the longstanding beliefs of the entire island.
This feature is brilliantly brought to life by Dean DeBlois, the original director of the animated trilogy. For the movie to truly succeed, a few essential elements were required: the dragons, particularly Toothless, needed to look amazing; the score had to be grand and breathtaking, much like the original; and, of course, the characters must be endearing.
DeBlois manages to nail all of these aspects. While I’m not an expert on the original films, I’ve heard that there are some additions, and this new installment is a bit longer. However, from what I observed, it stays very true to the essence of the original movie.
What stood out to me was the casting of Mason Thames as Hiccup. I was a big fan of Thames in The Black Phone (2021) and can’t wait to see him in the sequel coming out later this year. Hiccup from the 2010 film was more of an outcast and goofy, which is part of what made him so lovable. Thames’ portrayal captures some of that awkward shyness, but he also brings a modern charm that makes him feel like a heartthrob. I initially wondered if this would work, but it turns out that it does. He injects his vibe into the role, and while there were moments when I felt he had to push the awkwardness a bit, it’s hard not to be drawn to his character.
The standout performer in the film is Gerard Butler, who reprises his role as Stoick the Vast. As he voiced this character in the original animated film, he was a natural choice for the part. Fortunately, Butler effortlessly exudes Viking energy!
His deep, resonant voice fills the screen, making him the most compelling character brought to life in the movie.
I want to give a special shout-out to the young group of Vikings who had me laughing out loud at several points throughout the film. Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), Ruffnut (Bronwyn James), Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), and, of course, Astrid (Nico Parker) all brought a delightful touch of comedy and fun that I appreciated. The audience in my theater was mostly families with young children, which may be why many of the jokes didn’t resonate with them.
As a result, I found myself chuckling alone for much of the movie.
On the topic of kids, this version of the film is rated PG, and I get why. There are some intense action scenes and dialogue that wouldn’t be suitable for very young children. My toddler, for instance, would be terrified by the giant explosions and dragons on the big IMAX screen! The one line I’m thinking of that isn’t suitable involves “sending them back to Hell,” and I wouldn’t want my kid to repeat that (he repeats all of Dad’s bad words!). But you know your child best.
I was impressed to see all these kids sit still for two hours at 7 pm!
The representation of the various dragons is stunning. While much of it relies on heavy CGI, the designs are incredibly intricate, and the way they breathe fire is executed brilliantly. One of my favorite moments was watching the young fighters in the arena battle against different dragons. And of course, Toothless is as adorable and endearing as anyone could hope for. His big green eyes and iridescent skin make him feel genuinely real.
Interestingly, giant dragon puppets were employed during filming to help the actors engage with these mythical creatures, and it certainly pays off positively!
My critique lies in its striking similarity to the original story; it often feels like a scene-for-scene remake. While this approach successfully evokes nostalgia and reinforces the core themes that fans cherish, I wish the filmmakers had ventured a bit further outside the familiar formula to introduce fresh elements or unexpected twists.
Also, at times, I felt that the editing during the flight scenes was so fast that my eyes could only register a blur (maybe that’s a “me” problem). It reminds me of Michael Bay’s fight scenes in Transformers, which are chaotic at times.
That said, it remains an enchanting experience that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. It’s something I could rewatch many times.
If I had to make one suggestion, it would be to experience this with someone special. Being able to turn and see Ben with tears in his eyes, just like mine, would only add to the magic of the moment, much like that day during quiet time on the couch.
Finally, the score by John Powell flows through this film like a graceful ocean wave. He also composed the music for the 2010 movie, and that’s just one of the many elements that add a special touch to what is already a deeply heartfelt story. The music resonates with your very soul. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless, enhanced by this score, creates a powerful symphony of emotion that truly lights up the screen. It prompts you to reflect on the themes of connection and understanding, encouraging you to think about how you can be more compassionate towards yourself and others.
I genuinely cherish the impact that music can have on healing. Without a doubt, this score will be one of my all-time favorites.
Overall, I rate How to Train Your Dragon a solid four out of five stars. The film encapsulates all the beloved moments from the original, while also delivering breathtaking visuals and intricately designed dragons that truly captivate the audience. The world they built is not only vibrant but also brings a remarkable depth to the real world, making every flight scene feel exhilarating. Not to mention that last act with the battle against the big boss is pretty epic!
See How to Train Your Dragon only in theaters starting June 13th.