How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon
Starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost
Directed by Dean DeBlois
In the land of Berk, the Vikings are in constant battle with dragons who kill their people and steal their food at night, led by the ruthless Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler). He son, Hiccup (Mason Thames), doesn't fare as well, as he can't bring himself to kill a dragon, and is often left behind on missions. One day he comes across a Night Fury (a dragon that no one has ever seen) and can't bring himself to kill it, but rather helps it after it got injured by Hiccup during a dragon battle. While his father goes in search of the dragon's nest, Hiccup, Astrid (Nico Parker) - a well-established young warrior - and three others embark in a dragon slaying course led by Gobber the Belch (Nick Frost). At first, Hiccup is seen as the weakest of the group, but after spending time with Toothless (the Night Fury), he learns how dragons operate and soon becomes the most intelligent when it comes to fighting the dragons. When his world and Toothless's world collide, Hiccup must find a way to bring Vikings and dragons together before they destroy one another.
Live-action remakes fall into two categories, each one criticized by the general populous: either they are shot-for-shot remakes and therefore feel soulless, or they change things so drastically it makes you wonder why they did a live-action remake instead of something entirely new. It's been a constant struggle, as live-action movies keep making money while new IPs (such as Pixar's "Elio") end up as box office bombs. No matter how much people complain about remakes, they keep going to them, because at least they know what to expect. "How to Train Your Dragon" is the former, a shot-for-shot remake (with the exception of 27 minutes of additional footage) that is helmed by director Dean DeBlois, who also directed the animated movie in 2010. To that end, it adds credence to the film's existence, as the director of the original came back for this (which hasn't been done yet), so you feel the sense of passion in every frame. With it being nearly exact, it also gives you that comforting feeling that nothing drastic changes that'll make you upset either - and if it was done poorly, it could've ended in disaster. Thankfully, that's not the case.
The friendship between Hiccup and Toothless has existed in three animated movies and a television series (along with other mediums), so everyone knows the story already. This is comfort food at its best - we can enjoy this new adventure that's entirely old, proving the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Yet it also falls under the category of "why?" that many people ask, but the result is on the screen. While it's the same, it still gives you the warm fuzzies that the original did and shows it in a new, unique way.
The performances as well are admirable and fun, especially "The Black Phone" star Mason Thames as Hiccup, taking the role after Jay Baruchel's voice-over performance. He plays Hiccup as a kid who at first just wants his father's approval, but after learning dragons aren't as dangerous as they're said to be, sets out to bring them both together. Gerard Butler (who reprises his role from the animated movie) makes it seem like no time has passed from 2010 to now, and newcomer Nico Parker's Astrid is given a deeper backstory and compelling performance.
CGI has been lauded a lot lately with many movies seemingly backtracking through the history of CGI, but "How to Train Your Dragon" has impeccable CGI that mixes with the live action, especially when it comes to Toothless, making him look almost exactly like the original design. The other dragons pop as well, along with the obviously green-screened settings that don't come off as corny or cheesy.
There's much that's been said about live-action remakes, but "How to Train Your Dragon" is one of the best due to the heart of the director, the passion of the cast, and the excellent use of CGI.
The Score: A+
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