Dragon Trainer

How to Train Your Dragon is an incredibly faithful remake where every change it makes is subtle and avoids having disastrous consequences for the original narrative. The heart of the story is intact and it mostly understands when to change a few things so they work better in live action as well as keeping the best moments virtually the same. It is comfortably better than nearly all of Disney's live action remakes in the last decade and easily ranks as one of the best ones ever made.

Mason Thames is perfectly cast as Hiccup, simultaneously delivering almost every single line in a spot on fashion whilst making the role his own and ensuring his bond with Toothless is believable. Gerard Butler rightfully returns to the role of Stoic with an even greater gusto and emotional heft somehow. Nico Parker benefits the most from the new material so her Astrid has slightly more depth and the same level of determination. Nick Frost also makes the role his own and feels like the right choice for the character.

Original co-director Dean DeBlois helming this one in his live action directorial debut makes it feel more like a director's cut of its animated predecessor. His involvement imbues the film with so much warmth and ensures it retains a strong pace despite being half an hour longer now. Bill Pope's cinematography makes all the flying scenes suitably thrilling again and the CGI is really good for the most part. John Powell's score remains absolutely faultless and a big reason for why this works as well as it does.

The long-awaited live-action adaptation of the beloved animated classic How to Train Your Dragon exceeds all expectations. Directed once again by Dean DeBlois and powered by John Powell's unforgettable score, the film stays about 95% true to the original story: a young Viking who forms an unlikely bond with the very creature his people are sworn to destroy.

-Highlights:

The casting is surprisingly good - I had my doubts about Hiccup and Astrid, but the actors became their characters in the best way.

The CGI is epic. Every dragon - from Toothless to the fire-covered Monstrous Nightmare - looks incredibly realistic and faithful to the animated designs.

The music hits hard emotionally. Scenes like the sand drawing, flight training, the romantic flight, and the final battle with the Alpha dragon are breathtaking.

Visually, the landscapes and Viking setting are on another level - rich, immersive, and cinematic.

-What would I change? Honestly? Nothing. This is how live-action adaptations should be done. Hollywood finally got it right (unlike certain mouse-owned franchises... 🐭👀).

-Final thoughts: This movie isn't just a tribute - it's a stunning, faithful revival of Berk's magic for a new generation. A must-watch experience on the big screen!

The trend of transitioning animated movies to live-action is on the rise these years, with Lilo & Stitch and other movies. This time, what would happen if the director who directed the same franchise in animation returned to direct the live-action version?

Dean DeBois, he's the man. The man who previously helmed the three How to Train Your Dragon movies is back to direct the live-action version of this movie. The studio has made the right decision to hand over this movie to him. Because the vision and mission he conveyed in the previous movie are suitable to be brought to the live-action format. This movie does not replicate the previous movie but adds how magical the expressions of the characters are, especially Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup. That's really seeing the animated version. He was perfect as Hiccup. While the other actors also showed their abilities in this movie.

Gerard Butler, who previously played the animated version of Stoick, continues to return for this movie? This is a cinema moment right there. He really fits back in for this movie. There are no other words.

I think one of the problems with this current live action era is how took the original material and go: "Yep we are not doing that" and proceed to torn the story apart, but this one tastes of love for the first movie and and don't take away the magic away.

I understand that some of the cast aren't carbon copies of their animated but overall the actors are fairly good and we get to see a little more of character building for some of the kids, like Snoutloud and Astrid.

Hiccup is great and awkward like he is supposed to be, Stoic is stubborn and strong-headed, is his way or the highway and Gerald Butler delivers. I mean come on he is Stoic!

Honestly... I didn't expect to feel the same way I did back in 2010, but this film brought it all back.

The remake went far beyond my expectations. The casting was spot on-even though I had doubts at first, the performances felt genuine and convincing. Especially Hiccup and Astrid: I found myself reconnecting with them like it was the first time.

Visually, it's stunning. The world of Vikings and dragons feels totally believable. The direction respects the spirit of the original, while adding a more grounded and mature tone.

This isn't just a copy-it's a heartfelt experience that stands on its own.