I was excited about the news I’d heard about the live action version of How to Train Your Dragon but there have been many live versions of animated films that have missed the mark. So while I wanted to see it in theaters, I also tried to keep an open mind. And genuinely it is the best live action adaptation I’ve seen yet, a thrilling ride of a film with excellent performances and stellar design choices. 

How to Train Your Dragon is a live-action fantasy adventure film remake of the 2010 animated movie, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. As in the original animated film, Vikings living on the remote island of Berk are plagued by an unusual kind of pest, dragons. The chief of the village, Stoick (Gerard Butler), is trying to find the dragon nest to eliminate them entirely but his son, Hiccup (Mason Thames), is a misfit and a disappointment, apprenticed to the local blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) and uses mechanical devices to make up for his physical limitations. During a dragon raid, he manages to shoot down a rare dragon, a Night Fury. Unable to bring himself to kill it, he instead names it Toothless and begins helping it, creating a mechanical device to repair its wing and befriends Toothless. Meanwhile, Stoick is hunting down the nest and sends Hiccup to dragon training school with the other local teens, Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), the twins Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn) and Astrid (Nico Parker), the star pupil. Hiccup begins to excel due to his learning about dragons from Toothless. He also learns where the dragon nest is but also that there is a giant dragon on it. When the village learns about Toothless, they go to hunt down the dragons. Hiccup must take action to help both Toothless and the village from the giant dragon.

If you’ve seen the original animated film, this story is not much different. But what makes the live action work is that it does delve more into Stoick’s point of view and really enhances the story with more depth and emotion. We see how hurt Hiccup is that he is a misfit and how much he wants to prove himself to his father. We also see more of Astrid’s motivations and her passion for protecting her village. The ability to convey more of the emotions is key to why the live action adaptation is such a thrilling version. I also love the dynamic between Hiccup and Astrid, especially once they begin to bond.

The setting of the island, the film location has much to do with how impressive the movie is. The village is created perfectly, with details that match the animated film but doesn’t try to be the animated movie. The visuals of both the island and when Hiccup is flying with Toothless are just stunning. The designs of the dragons are brilliant and the special effects, the dragons abilities and the scenes of them flying only enhance the visually stunning location. The design of Toothless in specific is some of the best design work I’ve seen.

The performances are excellent. Mason Thames is perfectly cast as Hiccup, able to convey intelligence but also lack of confidence and empathy beautifully. Nico Parker is fiery and passionate as Astrid, the perfect foil to Mason. I love the dynamic between the pair as Nico Parker infuses her performance of Astrid with distaste for Hiccup but slowly warms to him as she realizes he’s not what she expects. The relationship between them feels real and authentic. Gerard Butler is dynamic as Stoick, stubborn and set in his ways but conveys love for his son and pride when Hiccup does well. Nick Frost is a great contrast to Gerard Butler as Gobber, tough but willing to teach the young teens and I found the methods he used hilarious. The other teens are equally talented, adding comic relief but also showing courage when they must help Hiccup fight. It is a brilliant cast.

Do we need another live action adaptation? No, likely not usually but I have to argue that this one excels, adding extra depth to the characters, enhancing the emotions, and giving us more insight into Stoick and Astrid than the original animated film. The designs, in particular, Toothless, are sublime and some of the best work I’ve seen. The special effects of the dragons fighting and flying is incredible. The performances are excellent and the visuals are just stellar. If you loved the original animated film, you will love the live action film. Mason Thames and Nico Parker are talented and believable as Hiccup and Astrid. This is one thrilling ride of a film. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 tails. 

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