
Movie Review: ‘How to Train Your Dragon' might have just redeemed the live-action adaptation
Ever wanted to soar through the skies on the back of a friendly dragon? The new 'How to Train Your Dragon' may be the ticket, from a decidedly safer, though possibly still vertigo-inducing, distance.
This live-action adaption of the underdog adventure story sends the audience cascading through the clouds with the teenage Viking boy Hiccup and his dragon friend Toothless. It's the kind of immersive sensation and giddy wish fulfillment that might just have you forgetting momentarily to breathe and, maybe more importantly, that you're still in a movie theater. Credit to veteran cinematographer Bill Pope, no stranger to fantasy worlds, whether it's 'The Matrix' or 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.'
'How to Train Your Dragon' doesn't stray far from the original, from shots to story beats. Gerard Butler once again plays Berk's Chief Stoick the Vast. The new Hiccup, actor Mason Thames, even sounds a bit like Jay Baruchel. But unlike so many live-action remakes of animated films, it also doesn't feel superfluous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor that trades the magic of animation for photorealism.
Perhaps that's because filmmaker Dean DeBlois, who made the three animated films, stayed in the director's chair. Who better to kill their darlings than the one who brought them to the screen in the first place? And, crucially, to know where live-action might actually enhance the fabric of the world created by author Cressida Cowell.
It helps that dragon technology has come a long way since, say, 'DragonHeart.' These fire-breathing CG creatures feel disarmingly real. And though it might look like 'Lord of the Rings' or 'Game of Thrones,' the tone stays light enough for younger filmgoers. There are a few intense sequences, but none that takes it any further than the animated film did 15 years ago.
'How to Train Your Dragon' does start a little slow, however, which is odd because it also begins with a fiery battle between the Vikings and the dragons on the Isle of Berk. There's a lot of exposition and introduction that needs to happen before you can just give yourself over to the story. In this more multicultural version, the warriors on Berk have been recruited from tribes around the globe to try to defeat the dragons.
Hiccup is a Viking nepo baby. As the chief's son, he sits in a place of privilege, but he's also a general outcast in this world of ruthless warriors — skinny and weak, he just longs to be part of the action, not sharpening the weapons. Killing dragons is currency in this society, and his crush Astrid (Nico Parker) happens to be one of the most promising up-and-comers. His sole champion is Gobber (a delightful Nick Frost), the blacksmith and dragon slayer teacher, who convinces the chief to give the clever Hiccup a shot.
The film finds its internal engine when Hiccup finds Toothless, the wide-eyed 'Night Fury' dragon whom he can't bring himself to kill. Instead, he decides to study this discovery, who he finds is not as nearly fearsome as everyone assumes. 'How to Train Your Dragon' teaches empathy and ingenuity without a sermon.
Thames, a teenager himself, is the perfect embodiment of adolescent awkwardness and boldness. You can have all the cute dragons you want, but the audience would be lost if the human conduit to the relationship isn't up to the task. Butler seems to be having a good time, resplendent in fur and chest-thumping ideas about ancient duties. And Parker gives Astrid a relatable depth — the best in the bunch who is outshone in an unequal fight.
Kids deserve movies that are made on the biggest possible canvas. 'How to Train Your Dragon' is one that's worth the trip to the theater. It might just spark some young imaginations, whether it's to go back and read the books or dream up their own worlds. And, chances are, no one is going to be yelling 'chicken jockey.'
'How to Train Your Dragon,' a Universal Pictures release in theaters Friday, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for 'sequences of intense action and peril.' Running time: 125 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Buzz Feed
2 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Mason Thames & Nico Parker Play Know Or No
The new How To Train Your Dragon live action film is finally out now and we got the new stars Mason Thames & Nico Parker to play Know or No for Seasoned & BuzzFeed UK


USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Live action 'How to Train Your Dragon' lives up to the original movie
Live action 'How to Train Your Dragon' lives up to the original movie Show Caption Hide Caption 'How to Train Your Dragon' takes flight in live action: Watch Mason Thames stars as the Viking boy Hiccup, who instead of slaying dragons befriends one in the live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon." The making of a live-action redo of a classic animated movie should embrace the same sort of good sense as being a doctor: Do no harm. And while you're at it, don't ruin anyone's childhood. On all counts, the new 'How to Train Your Dragon' (★★★½ out of four; rated PG; in theaters June 13) manages to be a rousing success. For the past 15 years, the first spectacular adaptation of the Cressida Cowell book has thrilled audiences as the most emotionally stirring cartoon not made by Pixar. Original writer/director Dean DeBlois returns for a revamped 'Dragon' that feels like a different experience but is just as good as the original, with moments of wonder and awe featuring characters fleshed out in new ways – literally and figuratively. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and smartly, the new take sticks mostly to the first film's script. On the island of Berk, Hiccup (Mason Thames) is an awkward but likable kid who's not the most rough-and-tough Viking of all time, much to the chagrin of his gruff dad Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role). Stoick and the adults fight and slay dragons, and pass on this generational aggression to their youngsters. During a dragon raid, Hiccup winds up wounding a Night Fury, an ultra-rare and little-known species, and tracks him down. But instead of killing the creature, who's got big eyes and is adorable even when somewhat dangerous, the inventive Hiccup befriends and names him Toothless, fixes his injured tail so he can fly, and they bond airborne-style as ride-or-die besties. The animated Hiccup and Toothless were cool enough swooping through the air. But now, watching Thames soar atop a computer-generated dragon is like the exhilaration of a theme-park flight simulator matched with the adrenaline rush of 'Top Gun,' all while landing squarely in the feels. The various dragons really pop as digital creations given new dimension, including the ginormous monster that acts as a final boss requiring an epic human/beast team-up to defeat. The live-action interactions between characters also hit differently, especially for teens and tweens, though 'Dragon' is still very much an all-ages family movie. With human actors, there's more of a high-school movie vibe as Hiccup becomes more accepted among the young Vikings, and the relationship between Thames' Hiccup and his frenemy/crush Astrid (Nico Parker) is built out a little more here. The two actors have a natural chemistry that animated characters just can't replicate. Astrid doesn't think much of Hiccup in the beginning, yet he grows on her – and the audience – the more he gains needed confidence and even a smidge of swagger. (Or as much as one can boast wearing their mom's breastplate as a helmet.) Rather than repeat Jay Baruchel's enjoyably nerdy Hiccup from the 2010 'Dragon,' Thames plays our hero as a teen still figuring a lot of things out but inherently knowing he needs to be true to himself. It leads to some enjoyable and a few really heated exchanges between empathetic Hiccup and his stubborn dad. Butler has done a lot of action movies since his early 'Dragon' days, but he brings the needed gravitas to make this not just a boy-and-his-dragon tale but a strong father-and-son journey as well. 'How to Train Your Dragon' is a lesson for anybody tackling a remake. It doesn't try to half do something old and something new, like 'Snow White,' and makes the case for being actually necessary, unlike 'Lilo & Stitch.' As it was back in the day, Toothless is a joy to watch and the movie's best special effect but he's also a symbol of growth: as watchable and lovable as ever, yet with a slightly more mature sheen. Fortunately, the new 'How to Train Your Dragon' does no harm. Instead, it lets loose a heartwarming, meaty adventure perfect for a new generation of young film fan but doesn't forget to entertain the older movie kids, either. How to watch 'How to Train Your Dragon' "How to Train Your Dragon," the live-action remake of the 2010 animated adventure, is directed by Dean DeBlois and stars Mason Thames and Gerard Butler. The movie is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association "for sequences of intense action, and peril."
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘How to Train Your Dragon' Soars to Korea Box Office Crown
DreamWorks' 'How to Train Your Dragon' topped the South Korean box office over the June 6–8 weekend, overtaking local hit 'Hi-Five' in admissions and revenue. The live action remake of the 2010 blockbuster opened to $4 million from 540,059 admissions across 1,645 screens, accounting for 35.6% of the market, according to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. That put it ahead of 'Hi-Five,' which drew 400,746 viewers and grossed $2.7 million in its second frame. The Korean film has now reached a cumulative total of $7.8 million with 1.15 million admissions. More from Variety Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Leads Again at China Box Office as 'Ballerina' Bows in Third 'How to Train Your Dragon' Review: DreamWorks Swoops Into the Remake Game With Respectful Cover From Co-Director of 2010 Toon 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Mission: Impossible' Lead U.K., Ireland Box Office to 50% Surge in May 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' slipped to third place with $1.8 million from 256,857 viewers. The Tom Cruise-led action sequel has now amassed $21.7 million with more than 3 million admissions since its release on May 17. South Korean occult political thriller 'The Pact' placed fourth with $1.3 million and 183,425 admissions, bringing its cumulative total to $2.7 million. 'Lilo & Stitch' ranked fifth with $331,683 and 47,712 viewers for a total of $3 million, while Korean drama 'Big Deal' fell to sixth place, earning $255,883 for a total of $1.7 million. In seventh, Australian supernatural horror 'Bring Her Back' debuted with $195,358 from 33,225 viewers. Meanwhile, Japanese animated title 'Magic Candies' earned $74,448 for a running total of $247,004. Two more Japanese films rounded out the top ten: 'Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing' added $62,545 for a total of $361,064, and the re-release of 'Crayon Shin-chan: Crash! Scribble Kingdom and Almost Four Heroes' earned $40,737 to bring its lifetime Korean gross to $1.4 million. The top 10 films collectively grossed $10.8 million over the weekend, up from the previous frame's $7.6 million. Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'