How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon
As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together.
rg9400 reviewed1d ago
I can describe this movie in a single word: perfunctory. It is almost a shot-for-shot remake of the animated movie, and the director is even on record indicating that the motive to turn it live-action was due to studio pressure. The movie is rated significantly higher than I am rating it because to me this lack of creative motivation is reflected throughout the movie. Simply put, it is soulless. The beautiful animation from the original is converted into dull CGI with flat colors. The one exception is Toothless who has a more cartoony look even compared to the other dragons which is required to really allow the emotive non-verbal expressions to come across. In essence, that's what this movie does not get. It just works so much better animated. Ironically, the animation will look timeless whereas some of the CGI already looks dated, especially with the backgrounds. Even the acting is okay at best. I think the movie's strength is a solid score that really shines when it is focused on Toothless and Hiccup's interactions, specifically their flying scenes. Overall, the movie is fine. It isn't horrendous by any means. If you throw it on for kids, they'll be entertained. My point though, is that there is no single reason to put this version of the movie on instead of the animated one. It offers no benefits or changes, and the original is just significantly better, especially for a first viewing. Couple that with the corporate greed at the heart of the movie, and I don't think this movie has much artistic merit.