How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Starring Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett
Directed by Dean DeBlois

The Story:
As the seaside town of Berk continues to grow in the amount of dragons rescued, they draw the attention of outside forces who wish to destroy the dragons for good, especially Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), who's hunted the Night Furies into near extinction - with the exception of Toothless, who's master Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is the ruler of the land.  When Toothless discovers another Night Fury, it begins an adventure for everyone where loyalties are tested and the search for the fabled Hidden World where dragons can live in peace begins.

The Synopsis:
Very rarely does a sequel live up to the original, and it's even more rare for the third film to achieve that same sort of magic.  The "Toy Story" franchise is an excellent example of having a strong beginning, middle, and end (well, sort of end, since "Toy Story 4" comes out later this year), and provided closure for the audience who spent fifteen years of their lives with Buzz, Woody, and the rest.  While the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise isn't nearly as powerful as the "Toy Story" trilogy, it managed to really up their momentum with each sequel, culminating in "The Hidden World" - a fitting finale for a decade-long franchise that ties up all loose ends and leaves the viewers with an emotional send-off that'll once again leave parents in tears.

For the final installment, Hiccup, Astrid, and their friends go in search of the Hidden World - a fabled place where dragons can live in peace, since their town has become over-populated with dragons after rescuing them from poachers.  This draws the attention of Night Fury killer Grimmel, who sets out to kill the last known Night Fury - Hiccup's dragon Toothless.  Meanwhile, Toothless finds another Night Fury who's wary of humans, and who threatens to separate Hiccup and Toothless for good - which might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Much like the "Toy Story" franchise, "How to Train Your Dragon" tells a very simple story wrapped around an exciting adventure: the theme of letting go.  As Andy had to finally say goodbye to his childhood toys, so might Hiccup have to say goodbye to Toothless as he could set out on his own life with the new Night Fury.  Here, it's more like Hiccup being the parent and Toothless his child, and as the child grows up he has to spread his own wings and fly, instead of being tethered by an overprotective parent.  It's a moving moment between the two, one only heightened due to the fact that we've seen them together since 2010 in two previous movies, a television series, and specials that've led up to this point.  Like Stoick told Hiccup in a flashback: "With love comes loss, son; it's part of the deal."  While the loss can be painful and heartbreaking, it's still worth it for the love we have for the other.

Still, set against this lovey-dovey story, there's an action adventure to be had.  The film is filled with beautiful animations and well-executed action sequences, and recent Oscar winner Roger Deakins aided in the stellar cinematography to the film.  In a world of dragons and Vikings, we really felt like we were pulled to this fantasy world from the start, and the stakes have never been raised higher.  The music also adds an emotional depth to the film, especially during the first moments Toothless tries to woo the Night Fury (which is humorous as it is heartfelt).  It's all beautifully done - from the script to the voice acting (especially from Jay Baruchel and America Ferrera, who've been a part of the entire franchise from the start), from the animation to the action, this is a pitch-perfect animated film that old and young alike will enjoy time and time again.

The Summary:
Serving as the perfect sendoff for a fantastic animated trilogy, "The Hidden World" delivers intense action with heartfelt emotion all wrapped in a beautifully rendered box that everyone would love to open again and again.

The Score: A+

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