HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON…
What a fun and cool little movie!
I love these sort of films, so I was looking forward to seeing this HTTYD. When I got the press invite a week or so ago, I saw there were three separate press screenings here in Houston. I chose a Saturday morning one since I wanted to bring my kids. Since my oldest two were busy, I went with the youngest -- who was excited to see it -- and my wife -- who was just going to go…at first. Both of them LOVED it. My boy said he’s giving it an “A” and the wife said it almost made her cry. Anyway, enough of that, right? You want to know what I thought about it I’m sure, so on with the review...
This is the story of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a young Viking who really isn’t a “Viking.” He’s a misfit, a loner, and considered a loser by all of his peers. Most of all, he’s a disappointment to his father. Stoick The Vast (Gerard Butler) just so happens to be the leader of the Viking tribe, which only makes matters worse for Hiccup.
When Hiccup’s island home of Berk comes under attack by dragons, he decides that this is his chance to show everyone -- especially his Pop -- that he has the stuff that makes up a “real Viking.” When he takes down one of the beasts with this net-shooting catapult contraption, he figures that he’s about to prove everybody wrong -- he IS a real Viking.
There’s only one slight problem with his plan…he can’t bring himself to kill it! Instead, he cuts him free from the net and proceeds to make friends with the dragon -- whom he names “Toothless.”
Not only does Hiccup befriend and -- of course -- train the dragon, he discovers something which will undoubtedly make him even more of an outcast amongst him people: Dragons are actually good and kind animals. Furthermore, this “war” that’s being rages by the Vikings against them is simply wrong and based on nothing but ignorance.
In a nutshell, that is what HTTYD is all about. “Hate” is usually based on ignorance. Perhaps if we get to know someone or become more familiar with something we dislike, there’s a good chance we won’t feel that way anymore. Corny? Probably. But true nonetheless.
As far as the “look” of the film -- the computer animation and 3D specifically, it’s very good. If you’ve seen any of the SHRECK or MADGASCAR films, you know what you’re going to get. Since they are all produced by the same studio (and KUNG FU PANDA too), that’s not surprising. I will say that while I’m not that biggest fan of 3D (which is all the rage now apparently), this is one that I’d recommend seeing in that format. The “flying with the dragon” scenes look darn good -- and I’m sure are enhanced -- in 3D.
Here’s something else I liked -- and was frankly quite refreshing -- about HTTYD: It doesn’t ever try to get too cute and smart for its own britches. Not once do the filmmakers give us a wink or nudge and say, “See how slick we are? We’re doing adult stuff here and the kids don’t even know it!” It’s a movie for kids that adults are going to like because it’s good; not for some hidden smartass agenda.
Now, I like me some hidden smartass agendas, OK? But don’t you think it’s getting a little old (*cough* SHRECK THE THIRD and others *cough*)
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON reminded me a bit of AVATAR. No, not because of the cool 3D, but because it’s also got the POCAHONTAS vibe working. This time, the English are Vikings and the Native Americans are dragons. Clichéd? Certainly. Regardless, it still works and works entertainingly well.
One last thought…
Vikings were Scottish?!
GRADE: A-
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON hits theaters everywhere on March 26, 2010.
