By Jared Tobaison
I am as big of a “How to Train Your Dragon” fan as they come. It is by far my favorite animated movie series of all time and I can watch it at any time without getting bored or sick of it. With that being said, I was a bit skeptical of the live action remake before going and watching it.
I was worried it was going to flop, like some of the more recent live action remakes. I went into the theater expecting it to not look or sound good, or to be completely different than the original movie. I can happily say that I was wrong.
DreamWorks’ live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” is a rare example of a remake that not only honors its animated predecessor, but also elevates it. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original 2010 film, this version captures the heart and magic of the original, while introducing new layers of depth and realism.
The visuals throughout the entire movie were breathtaking, from the seas and cliffs of Berk to the CGI dragons looking realistic. Bill Pope, the leader of the film’s cinematography, did a great job making the animated series look and feel as real as possible.
The cast was picked wonderfully and I had no problems with any of the characters. Nico Parker portrayed Astrid very well. The fierce, competitive, strong and intelligent character that Astrid is looks natural when played by Parker, like she was meant to play her. The most iconic and popular character in the movie, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, was played by Mason Thames. Thames delivered a stand-out performance, embodying the quiet courage and weird quirky charm that Hiccup has very well. The relationship between Thames and the CGI dragon Toothless felt like the relationship between a person and their pet. His chemistry with Toothless seemed natural and exactly the same as the animated film.
“How to Train Your Dragon” did its job and kept the story the same as the original and held the same message and theme of friendship, understanding and having the courage to go up against the norm.
If you are an original fan or a newcomer, this version of “How to Train Your Dragon” is a movie you need to go see this summer.
