Lindsay Barr
Have you ever wanted to soar up the sky behind a friendly dragon? The new “How to Train Your Dragon” may be tickets from obviously safer distances, although obviously safer.
This live-action adaptation of this underdog adventure story plays the audience through the hiccups of a teenage Viking boy and his dragon friend, Toothless Clouds. It’s like a sense of immersion and fickle wish that you might forget to breathe instantly, and perhaps more importantly, you’re still in the cinema. Veteran cinematographer Bill Pope, whether it’s The Matrix or Scott Pilgrim vs. World, there are no strangers in Fantasy World.
“How to Train a Dragon” is not far from the original, from shots to story beats. Gerard Butler will once again play Burke’s Chief Stoic the Vast. New Hiccup, actor Mason Thames sounds like Jay Barchel. However, unlike so many live-action remakes of animated films, it doesn’t feel unnecessary. Worse, like a poor imitation of his predecessor who trades animation magic for photorealism.
Perhaps that’s because filmmaker Dean DeBrois, who made the three animated films, stayed in the director’s chair. Who killed their darlings than the ones who brought them to the screen in the first place? And, importantly, knowing where live action actually enhances the fabrics of the world created by author Cressida Cowell.
It’s helpful that Dragon Technology has come a long way since calling it “Dragon Heart.” These fire-breathing CG creatures feel armed and realistic. And while it might look like “The Lord of the Rings” or “Game of Thrones,” the tone remains light enough for younger movie fans. There are some intense sequences, but nothing takes it more than an animated film did 15 years ago.
Released by Universal Pictures, this image shows Mason Thames, Left and Nico Parker in a scene from “How to Train a Dragon” (universal photo via the AP)
Released by Universal Pictures, this image shows Mason Thames, Left and Nico Parker in a scene from “How to Train a Dragon” (universal photo via the AP)
Released by Universal Pictures, this image shows Mason Thames in the “How to Train a Dragon” scene (universal photo via AP)
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Released by Universal Pictures, this image shows Mason Thames, Left and Nico Parker in a scene from “How to Train a Dragon” (universal photo via the AP)
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“How to Train a Dragon” is a bit slower, but this is odd as it also starts with a fierce battle between the Vikings and the Dragons on Berk Island. There are many explanations and introductions that need to happen before you give yourself to the story. In this more multicultural version, Burke’s Warriors are adopted by tribes around the world to try to defeat the dragons.
Hiccup is a Viking Nepo baby. As the chief’s son, he sits in a place of privilege, but he is also a common exile in this ruthless warrior world, and is weak in skinny, so he longs to be part of the action rather than shattering weapons. The murderous dragon is the currency in this society, and his Clash Astrid (Nico Parker) happens to be one of the most promising budding people. His only champion is Gobber (fun Nick Frost), a blacksmith and Dragon Slayer teacher, who convinces the Chief to give a shot to his clever Hiccups.
The film finds Toothless, a “Night Fury” dragon whose Hiccups are teethless, and they find an internal engine. Instead, he decided to study this finding. “How to Train Your Dragon” teaches empathy and ingenuity without sermons.
The teenager herself, Thames is the perfect embodiment of adolescent adolescent awkwardness and audacity. You can have all the cute dragons you want, but if the human conduit to the relationship has not reached the task, the audience will be lost. Butler appears to be having a good time, sparkling with fur and chest-slap ideas about ancient obligations. And the parker gives Astrid a relevant depth – the best in the bunch covered in unequal battles.
Kids deserve a film made from the largest canvas possible. “How to Train Your Dragon” is something worth traveling to the theater. It may inspire young imaginations, whether reading a book and dreaming of your own world. And perhaps no one will scream “chicken jockey.”
“How to Train Your Dragon” is rated PG by the Film Association for “Strong Action and Danger Sequences” in a Universal Pictures release in theaters on Friday. Running time: 125 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
Original issue: June 10th, 2025, 2:09pm EDT
