The live-action remake of the 2010 animated film How to Train Your Dragon takes us back to the dragon-plagued island of Berk in a film that is surprisingly faithful to the original. Directed by Dean DeBlois again, it’s not a reimagining but a translation of the original into live-action with real people and special effects.
The story is largely the same: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (Mason Thames), the awkward and inventive son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animation), can’t live up to the Viking tradition of dragon slaying. Instead he befriends an injured Night Fury and names him Toothless. Their unlikely friendship opens Hiccup’s eyes to the dragons and sets the stage for a conflict that challenges centuries of Viking-dragon hatred.
Visually, the film is often stunning. Cinematographer Bill Pope creates a misty cliff and stormy sea world that’s a great backdrop for the fantasy elements. The dragon designs, especially Toothless, manage to blend the animated look with a sense of reality making them feel real and awesome. The big thrills, like Hiccup and Toothless’s “Test Drive” sequence, are recreated with a rollercoaster momentum that many critics agree is worth the price of admission.
The performances are good. Mason Thames is a likable and empathetic Hiccup but some say he’s a bit more petulant than the original’s anxious intelligence. Nico Parker is great as Astrid, bringing a strong and ambitious energy to the young warrior. But Gerard Butler as Stoick feels most at home, bringing the necessary gravitas and booming voice to the chieftain. The supporting cast, including Nick Frost as Gobber, delivers the intended comedy and Viking bluster.
While the commitment to the source material is great for many fans it’s also the film’s biggest problem. The near shot-for-shot re-creation in some parts has made some reviewers find the film redundant and lacking the freshness that would justify its existence. The longer run-time, mostly due to stretching out scenes and gags that worked better in the animated format, makes the first act drag. Some of the animated film’s physical comedy feels a bit forced when performed by live actors.
Overall, this How to Train Your Dragon is an earnest and visually impressive adventure. It keeps the emotional heart of the story—the power of empathy, the bridging of divides and the deep friendship between a boy and his dragon. It may not surpass the original animated classic but it’s a faithful and worth adaptation, that will delight a new generation and give old fans a wave of nostalgia. It’s a good flight even if it follows the original flight plan closely.