logo
How to Train Your Dragon movie review: live-action remake no match for the 2010 original

How to Train Your Dragon movie review: live-action remake no match for the 2010 original

3/5 stars
Hollywood continues to cash in on popular animations by remaking them as live-action/CG hybrids. Lilo and Stitch, released just a few weeks ago, is the third highest-grossing movie of the year so far. Now it is the turn of How To Train Your Dragon.
The fantasy cartoon from DreamWorks based on the book by Cressida Cowell has already spawned two sequels. Now, just 15 years after its release, it gets a makeover, primarily to appeal to those too young to have seen the original.
Set on the island of Berk, where Vikings believe dragons are their mortal enemies, this latest iteration doesn't deviate much from its predecessor.
Play
A blacksmith's apprentice, Hiccup (Mason Thames) is the weakling son of the isle's chief (Gerard Butler, who voiced the same role in the 2010 film).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to Train Your Dragon movie review: live-action remake no match for the 2010 original
How to Train Your Dragon movie review: live-action remake no match for the 2010 original

South China Morning Post

time2 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

How to Train Your Dragon movie review: live-action remake no match for the 2010 original

3/5 stars Hollywood continues to cash in on popular animations by remaking them as live-action/CG hybrids. Lilo and Stitch, released just a few weeks ago, is the third highest-grossing movie of the year so far. Now it is the turn of How To Train Your Dragon. The fantasy cartoon from DreamWorks based on the book by Cressida Cowell has already spawned two sequels. Now, just 15 years after its release, it gets a makeover, primarily to appeal to those too young to have seen the original. Set on the island of Berk, where Vikings believe dragons are their mortal enemies, this latest iteration doesn't deviate much from its predecessor. Play A blacksmith's apprentice, Hiccup (Mason Thames) is the weakling son of the isle's chief (Gerard Butler, who voiced the same role in the 2010 film).

As Studio Ghibli turns 40, fans worry about its future once Hayao Miyazaki retires
As Studio Ghibli turns 40, fans worry about its future once Hayao Miyazaki retires

South China Morning Post

time2 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

As Studio Ghibli turns 40, fans worry about its future once Hayao Miyazaki retires

Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month with two Oscars and legions of fans young and old won over by its films' complex plots and hand-drawn animation. The studio behind the Oscar-winning Spirited Away has become a cultural phenomenon since Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata established it in 1985. Its popularity has been fuelled recently by a second Academy Award in 2024 for The Boy and the Heron, with a voice cast including Robert Pattinson, and by Netflix streaming Ghibli films around the world. Play In March, the internet was flooded with pictures in its distinctively nostalgic style after the release of OpenAI's newest image generator – raising questions over copyright.

New Phineas and Ferb episodes on Disney+ to be ‘just like old times', but with tiny change
New Phineas and Ferb episodes on Disney+ to be ‘just like old times', but with tiny change

South China Morning Post

time30-05-2025

  • South China Morning Post

New Phineas and Ferb episodes on Disney+ to be ‘just like old times', but with tiny change

The beloved cartoon duo Phineas and Ferb are returning for new episodes this summer after a decade away and pretty much nothing has changed. Except maybe one thing. 'The more observant of you will notice Phineas' shirt has one extra stripe,' says co-creator Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh. Dan Povenmire, Marsh's creative partner, adds: 'He hasn't actually gotten any taller, but we're giving him the illusion of getting taller.' Other than a fourth stripe on Phineas' orange-and-white T-shirt, OPTIONAL CUT ENDPhineas and Ferb returns with all the characters that Gen Z viewers so adored, including Perry the Platypus, the mad scientist Dr Doofenshmirtz, the easily excitable older sister Candace and the bully Buford. 'We were a little worried at first, like are we going to get in the writers' room and just get a lot of 'No, did that.' 'Did that.' 'Did that',' Povenmire says. 'But it hasn't been like that at all. It's been great, fresh, new stories with these characters that we're just thrilled with.' Play The series restarts with Phineas and Ferb enjoying summer holiday, Doofenshmirtz back to his evil ways – he updates his social media status to 'Evil Again' – and Candace on her everlasting quest to get her brothers in trouble.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store