How to Train Your Dragon

It's not often that a movie get's praised as being "almost as good as something from Pixar" when it comes to existing as a successful animated film.

I can really only think of a handful, non-Disney titles in my life that hold that revered title...

Shrek, Shrek 2, Ice Age, Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2 and that's about all I got. Given Pixar's recent, heartbreaking decline into mediocrity the statement carries a little less weight these days, but I think we all get the gist.

How to Train Your Dragon is often at the top of that list though for some reason, I never got around to seeing it. And now with the sequel (which is getting stellar reviews at the moment) coming out in mere days, I figured I should rectify that.

For me, How to Train Your Dragon was one of those movies that perfectly met my expectations, which in all honesty, were quite high after hearing the film be so praised the last few years. It's one of those rare DreamWorks films that really does rival the best of what Pixar and Disney Animation Studios bring to the table. I was definitely impressed overall and the fact that the sequel is getting similar/better reviews than the original is making me wonder if DreamWorks finally has their "Toy Story" franchise here.

Some truly gorgeous animation

Why'd the dragons have to act like cats?

It is my firm belief that an animated movie lives and dies by really one core piece: it's characters. Unlike other films that can have awesome special effects, twisted plots, great cinematography, etc and be saved by it, animated movies must create likable, fun characters. Don't think I'm right? Look back on every single animated movie you've loved. What's the first thing that pops into your head? Now I'm not saying that the other things aren't important, but I do believe that you could see mediocrity in all of those other aspects and still have a very decent animated feature if you had strong characters. How to Train Your Dragon excels at really all of the above, but especially it's characters. Jay Baruchel, whom I usually am not a fan of, does great as Hiccup and although their voices are immediately recognizable, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, and Kristen Wiig all do a bang up job here. Many of the latter supply the films laughs and the former names, particularly Baruchel and Butler, are given some heavy material too that they do really well with. Dragon's best character however, is its silent one, Toothless. Feared from the beginning as one of the most powerful, mysterious dragons, we later learn that dragons have been being misinterpreted and Toothless is full of heart and personality.

Quite a funny little guy

Another aspect of animated films that I find important is that the animation must look good. Pixar is often at the forefront of this technology, but I imagine that when How to Train Your Dragon came out in 2010 it wowed more than a few people. While the character models may be nothing special, the environments and landscapes are almost as breathtaking as the real deal. It  was a treat to watch, and that has quickly become one of my favorite aspects about animated movies. Dragon also boasts an impressive original score that has some highpoints featuring Celtic themes that I really enjoyed. I also found the film's tone, slightly darker and more mature than most, to be well balanced. It was definitely marketed towards kids, but the creators didn't shy away from death, family drama, or injury (as is witnessed in the final scenes). I was really impressed by this as more often than not, this lack of balance, or inability to appeal to both crowds is what makes me hate/love these kinds of films.

If I had to choose any issues I had with the movie it would be that it wasn't really all that funny. I laughed a few times here and there, but far fewer than I would have in Up, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, etc. But hell, those names I listed are some of the funniest movies I've seen period.

And then he bit off his hand...

Much like when I watched Despicable Me right before the sequel, I am glad that I watched How to Train Your Dragon. I easily see why there is so much hype around it as it is some of the very best that DreamWorks has to offer in the challenging pantheon of animated movies. When I'm pumped for your sequel to an animated movie, you've done done something right.

CONS:

• At times the scale feels a little misbalanced. One moment it feels epic, the other moment it seems small scale...like nothing matters
• Some very recognizable voice acting...takes you out of the scenes some times
• Not as funny as I think it would have liked to be

PROS:

• Fantastic characters and the chemistry between Hiccup and Toothless is very natural
• Amazing animation, especially during flying scenes
• Great voice work by all of the cast
• Awesome action that gives the movie a sense of "epic" scope
• Engaging story and world that explains itself but leaves more room for exploration
• There are a few funny parts
• Good original score, especially when it has some Celtic stylings
• A gorgeous, fun, tonally balanced animated film that deserves its acclaim and its sequel

Retro Rath's Review Score: 9/10