To say How to Train Your Dragon is a pleasant surprise would be a vast understatement. So much, in fact, that if someone said Pixar was behind it, the validity of such a statement would never come into question. However, DreamWorks Animation, the studio behind such recent hits as Kung Fu Panda and the Madagascar series, may have finally created something to compete with animation’s top production company.
That isn’t to say How to Train Your Dragon is anything like Up or WALL-E. Directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who also teamed up for Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, didn’t try to tackle any tough themes. Instead, they went with the familiar father-son relationship, the challenges of being an outcast and stereotyping. Though these themes have all been done before, it is the creative design and surprisingly clever writing that sets this one apart from the pack.
A young Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel, She’s Out of My League) was raised to believe Vikings and dragons were meant to kill each other and aspires to be the best dragon slayer around. When he captures one but finds he can’t bring himself to kill it, his world is flipped upside down.
From the beginning, the story is told at a brisk pace. Every scene seems to have a purpose, from the high-octane intro describing the history of Hiccup’s home island to the playful interactions with his newfound dragon friend, Toothless.
The cast of characters is both diverse and deep. The voice actors are seemingly random but naturally fall into their parts. Gerard Butler (The Bounty Hunter) as Hiccup’s father and Craig Ferguson (The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson) as another member of the clan are particularly well-suited.
All non-human entities are given life through particularly good animation and creative character design. From toothy smiles to fiery growls, Toothless is easy to fall in love with — his dog-like qualities will have any pet owner envious of Hiccup. Even the sheep have their moment as the helpless prey.
An important part of the film is its mythology. There isn’t just one type of dragon. There are fat ones and tiny ones, and some even have two heads. Much like Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, the animals are diversified through how they look in addition to their personality quirks.
In a nod to fantasy nerds out there, one of Hiccup’s friends would sometimes offer statistical analysis like that of an avid Dungeons and Dragons player. Some dragons are faster but have less attack ability, while some can’t even breathe fire. The depth at which the different classes of dragon are described intensifies the immersion of the viewer.
The staple of a successful children’s movie is whether or not it can be shared with the family. Exiting the theater, a mother and her young daughter were discussing who their favorite characters were and developed a genuine conversation.
The exchange illustrated something special had just happened. The themes were not too far over the little girl’s head but were just mature enough to keep the older viewers entertained. The visuals sparked for the younger crowd but were still engaging for the adults.
How to Train Your Dragon is a one-of-a-kind synergetic experience that not only brings the family together but entices on almost every level. The animation is top-notch, with cinematic decision worthy of a summer blockbuster. The cast is near perfect, and if you see this movie and don’t come out in love with dragons yourself, you may just be soulless.
diversions@umdbk.com
RATING: 4.5 stars out of 5
