'How To Train Your Dragon' Live-Action Review

TV & Film

Jun 19

When a live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon was announced, reactions were predictably negative. However, the involvement of franchise shepherd Dean DeBlois lowered some fears. After the first trailer was released, reactions started to turn. While some bemoaned the idea of it being a shot-for-shot remake, others were relieved that Toothless’ design didn’t look like garbage.

While fans’ fears that the movie would be a shot-for-shot remake of the original have been vindicated, that doesn’t make the film bad. If the worst thing one can say about a remake is that it closely follows the original, so be it. For as long as the filmmaking is good, it shouldn’t matter. How to Train Your Dragon is just as exciting, heartfelt, and fun as its original 2010 animated counterpart.

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Dean DeBlois has been involved with this franchise since its inception. Despite being critical of live-action remakes in the past, he accepted the offer to helm this film as he didn’t want anyone else to mess it up. DeBlois makes the jump to live-action almost seamlessly. While some may accuse DeBlois of playing the hits, his direction makes the remake a worthwhile experience. His love and affection for this franchise are on the screen at every turn.

The flying sequences are just as exhilarating as they are in the animated film and instantly brought back memories of seeing the original in 3D 15 years ago. DeBlois and cinematographer Bill Pope employ dynamic camera movements and angles to make you feel as though you’re sitting right next to Hiccup in the air.

If you’re going to follow the original film almost word for word and bar for bar, at least be good at it. Luckily, Dean DeBlois is a great enough storyteller to pull it off.

The film lives and dies on the strength of whoever was cast in the role of Hiccup. And luckily, Mason Thames was the man for the job! Mason Thames’ mixture of boyish charm and likeable nerdiness makes him a magnetic lead. He channels Jay Baruchel without ever coming off as doing an impression. Mason’s performance immerses you in the world. Never have I seen an actor make me believe he was talking to a real dragon so convincingly.

Another acting highlight is Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast. In a rare feat for live-action remakes, an actor from the animated film reprises his role in the live-action adaptation. Butler delivers the same committed performance he does in the original, but with the added luxury of actually seeing him. Scenes featuring him and Mason Thames together are among the film’s highlights. Thames and Butler’s scenes make one excited to see them reunite in the sequel, where things take a more tragic turn.

Nico Parker and Nick Frost also deserve their props as well, even if they aren’t as good as the voice actors from the original.

Hw To Train Your Dragon — Image Source: Tatler

Any self-proclaimed fan of the Dragons franchise will tell you that a key component of the original trilogy is the music by John Powell.

On the surface, Powell’s score for the remake is essentially the same as the 2010 score, and in some places, it is—all the well-loved themes from the original return. But again, if the worst thing you can say about something is that it adheres to a masterpiece, so be it. Like the original, Powell’s score is the film's best element. Every note, every horn blast, every violin sting, it’s all so perfect. Every action scene is elevated with Powell’s music, and it never lets up.

The re-do of Test Drive (titled Test Driving Toothless) has a few new flourishes and even an extra use of the franchise’s main theme, but it’s just as remarkable as the original. Despite stepping on familiar ground, Powell’s 4th foray into this franchise proves why he’s still one of our best living film composers.

Overall, How to Train Your Dragon overcomes its origins as a cynical cash grab and delivers a fun and heartfelt adventure that honors the original and provides entertainment for the whole family. Dean DeBlois’ direction, the performances of Mason Thames and Gerard Butler, the visual effects, and John Powell’s beautiful score make this an excellent exercise in blockbuster fantasy filmmaking. There isn’t much in the way of surprises and expansion, but the movie gets it right in the fundamentals needed to tell a good story.

To some, How to Train Your Dragon could come off as a glorified commercial for Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando. But Dean DeBlois’s respect and love for the franchise he helped bring to life are too infectious to ignore. One hopes the sequel will allow more room for expansion and changes, but until then, DeBlois and company did right by DreamWorks’ magnum opus.

Rating: 8/10

How to Train Your Dragon is now playing in theaters everywhere. Rated PG.

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