How to Train Your Dragon is a story about looking past preconceptions to find shared commonality. Hiccup (Mason Thames) has never really fit in. As the son of the Viking chieftain Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), the clan expects Hiccup to be a brave and bold warrior. Like his father. Except, Hiccup doesn’t have brawn; he has brains. He prefers engineering over weaponry, a pursuit that only frustrates his father. But Hiccup desperately wants his father’s approval. So, he set his mind to achieving the one thing no one has: killing a Night Fury dragon. Dragons have been constantly attacking the villages, so Hiccup believes this symbolic act will get him in his dad’s good graces. Using his tech, Hiccup successfully injures a Night Wing. But, when he goes to confront it, he finds only sympathy for the creature.
What works in How to Train Your Dragon is the faithful adaptation of the elements that made its animated predecessor special. The heartfelt messages about truly getting to know others, despite differences, are still wonderfully strong and powerful. This is seen between several well-executed dyads including Hiccup and Toothless (his dragon), his father, and his crush Astrid (Nico Parker). In addition, the dragon action is fantastic and helps justify the film’s existence as a remake. In particular, the air battles are thrillingly well-executed. And tying it all together is an upgraded score from the original composer John Powell. His sweeping music will inspire and likely give people chills as Hiccup soars through the gorgeous landscapes of Northern Ireland.
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Non-fans of the original How to Train Your Dragon are unlikely to engage with this rehash. Like the vast majority of animated to live-action projects, How to Train Your Dragon is nearly a beat for beat recreation. As such, it offers very little by way of surprises if one is familiar with the first feature. To that end, any criticism of the original carries over as well. There are certain tropes often found in these tales which some may find annoying. For example, no one trusts Hiccup’s recommendations, least of all his father. This defiant act not listening to someone without cause has been done so many times, it may feel irritating. In summary, there will be a strong correlation between reception to the animated film and this remake given the similarities.
How to Train Your Dragon is a delightful family film that works hard. You have a sense that the cast and crew know that if they can pull off this movie magic, they will successfully entertain audiences once again. There’s a reverence for the source material that most people will appreciate and enjoy. Recommended.
Recommended if you enjoyed: Lilo & Stitch, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, The Wild Robot
How to Train Your Dragon is now available to rent or purchase on most digital platforms.
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