How To Train Your Dragon
{5/5} “My name’s Hiccup. Great name, I know. But, it’s not the worst. Parents believe a hideous name will frighten off gnomes and trolls. Like our charming Viking demeanor wouldn’t do that.”
Hiccup is a Viking. He lives in Berk, a small hillside village whose people fish and herd sheep. But occasionally fierce dragons come and attack them — of course, the Vikings bravely beat back the dragons each time, though often their homes are burned to the ground in the process. Hiccup is small for a Viking, but he’s created a gun to kill a dragon. He ends up capturing a dragon but inexplicably releases it. He comes to realize that the dragons are perhaps not the enemy everyone thinks they are.
How To Train Your Dragon was released in 2010. This is the second or third time I’ve seen it. I’ve also watched the first season of Dragons: Riders of Berk which continues the story after this movie.
In case it happens to return to theatres, I do remember that the 3D in this movie was stunning — flying on a dragon would be fun.
The first 7 minutes are a brilliant introduction to the setting, characters, and situation. It’s exciting and funny.
It’s about friendship and caring enough to learn the truth.
The animation is gorgeous.
The only problem I have with the movie is with the ultimate villain.*
Other than that, it’s enjoyable from start to finish.
The music is intriguing right from the first few notes. It’s one of my favourite soundtracks, and it’s by John Powell (Chicken Run).
Jay Baruchel (Fanboys) voices Hiccup and America Ferrera (the TV show Ugly Betty) voices Astrid. Gerard Butler (Reign of Fire) voices Stoick and Craig Ferguson (Brave) voices Gobber. Jonah Hill (Megamind) voices Snotlout and Kristen Wiig (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) voices Ruffnut.
The movie was directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch).
The sequel is now in theatres.
Spoiler alert
*The villain is just a larger dragon. Why can all the regular-sized dragons be dealt with peacefully but the larger dragon must be killed?
June 7th, 2019 at 8:46 pm
I watched this movie again — my review would be essentially the same. It qualifies without question as one of my favourite movies.