‘How To Train Your Dragon’ movie review: A satisfying remake that manages to engage and entertain

Cast: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Gerard Butler

Director: Dean DeBlois

Language: English

How to Train Your Dragon is a live-action film that serves as a remake of the 2010 animated film of the same name. Movie-to-movie adaptations are normal practice. However, adapting an animated film into a live-action film is not easy. The makers decided to go ahead with the idea back in 2023 and their dreams stand fulfilled two years later. The final result may not be a masterpiece, but the film definitely has breathtaking visuals to keep you glued.

Universal Pictures have described the plot like this- On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.

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It possesses the thrills of your contagious nail-biting extravaganzas and also the fun elements of the iconic cartoon Pokémon. Remember that dragon Charlizad? For anyone who would be able to relate the two, it’s like double bonanza for the price of one. And for those who haven’t been able to see the magic of that historic cartoon, this is a fresh and fragrant story. The central character is appropriately titled Hiccup (Mason Thames). His life has been full of ups and downs until one gigantic creature changes everything.

The makers of How To Train Your Dragon deserve props for their relentless commitment to entertain the audience. They may not have pushed the boundaries when it comes to visual effects, but they have been successful in making an entertaining film that you can watch with your whole family. It has been a while since Hollywood had a juggernaut. It has also been a while since audiences were thoroughly engaged while watching a film.

But movies about live-action are not just about visual effects and animation, you also need engaging characters that you can completely root for. They should be able to take you on a roller coaster ride. The biggest star of the film is obviously the dragon. Its name is there in the title itself. I could also feel a sense of metaphor in the moniker. You’re not only training the dragon, but you also end up training yourself. Overall, a good training indeed!

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

How To Train Your Dragon is now playing in cinemas