How To Train Your Dragon Review
Nowadays, it feels like every animated franchise needs its own live-action adaptation. This year, it started with Snow White and continued on with Lilo & Stitch to differing levels of success. Taking all this in, DreamWorks decided to step into that territory with its own live-action take of How to Train Your Dragon, which is probably one of my more favorite franchises from this company. With this film being DreamWorks’ big bet into that sector of filmmaking, it does feel like it has a solid grasp on what makes a live-action adaptation work: faithfulness.
For those unfamiliar, the first How to Train Your Dragon followed Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young Viking who’s part of a system that hates dragons. Against all odds, he manages to befriend one named Toothless, the last Night Fury in existence. However, when a titanic dragon threatens Berk’s way of life, Hiccup, alongside Astrid (Nico Parker) and his friends, must find common ground between human and dragon before all is lost.
Given how this is a live-action adaptation, there may be some doubts that there were a few changes made to the story. However, director Dean DeBlois has made it incredibly clear that, even with its few changes, it’s still faithful in nearly every way. In fact, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon follows nearly beat-for-beat with the original story. This means that even though it may retain some problems that hid within the original film, it successfully highlights almost every element that shined through.
One of those elements that held the original How to Train Your Dragon was the tonal shifts between comedy and seriousness. The first animated film suffered from feeling too humorous at times either at these softer moments, like Hiccup’s moments of bonding with Toothless, or more intensive scenes, like when Stoick (Gerard Butler) confronts Hiccup later on. Additionally, it also may feel like the third act might be somewhat rushed, given how fast it also was in the original movie.
Fortunately, for this film, there seems to be a more natural integration of the two tones through the performances of Thames, Parker, and the entire cast. Thames brings this newfound determined prowess to Hiccup while Parker really accentuates Astrid’s skepticism to a tee. The chemistry between Thames and Parker is undeniably heartwarming, but their shared team dynamics with the likes of Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, and Harry Trevaldwyn shines in some hilarious ways. Furthermore, Butler’s Stoick continues making you intimidated while Frost’s Gobber is a little comical than expected.
Sure, there might be a few offbeat jokes in some moments, like the dragon training sequence, but it doesn’t take away from enjoying it as a whole. The tonal balance manages to work because of how natural and faithful the script. This further shows in how DeBlois also works with the cinematography and the editing of How to Train Your Dragon as well.
Through the work of Bill Pope, there are surprisingly more moments that are able to have that innate comfort or tension given the situation. For example, there’s one scene that occurs in the second act between Hiccup and Astrid that was incredibly sweet to watch and was further enhanced by some of the camera choices made. Furthermore, this change in camerawork also applies to most of the dragon flight sequences, which are genuinely just fun to see!
In addition to the cinematography, the visual effects of this film are absolutely stunning. Not only does it feel like this film reveres the designs of the dragons from the original, but they also never feel stilted in their animation. Even though they may look realistic down to the last detail, it does feel like the dragons still have that curiosity in their own respective personalities. Plus, Toothless is recreated to perfection; there are simply no notes needed!
All in all, How to Train Your Dragon is a fun adventure that not only honors the original story that fans love, but also enhances the minor details in big ways. Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and the entire cast give stellar performances that bring out the best from Berk’s best warriors. If there were any live-action adaptation that needs to get a sequel, then How to Train Your Dragon has proven itself to get it.
How to Train Your Dragon releases in theaters on June 13.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.