Our Review

                Movie: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

     Rating: PG, sequences of intense action and peril`

Length: 2:0

Release Date: June 13, 2025 

Jeanne: One of my favorite franchises, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, is back in live-action to resurrect the charming story of Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless. Based on the book series by Cressida Cowell, writer/director/producer Dean DeBlois was also responsible for the animated trilogy which debuted in 2010.

With the splendid Faroe Islands, Iceland and Scotland standing in for the stunning isle of Berk, and a consistently memorable soundtrack from composer John Powell, who received his first Oscar nomination after the original animated film, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a remarkable adaptation with a terrific cast. Mason Thames leads the way as Hiccup, the only son of Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, who is reprising the role he voiced in the animated series). Hiccup is under a lot of pressure to be the perfect Viking warrior, but, alas, he is not.

The Vikings on Berk are tasked with slaying the dragons who torment them by stealing their livestock and burning their village. Every inhabitant is expected to do their share in battling these creatures, and the most promising young warrior is Astrid (Nico Parker). She, along with Hiccup, Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), Ruffnut & Tuffnut (Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn) are being trained by Gobber (Nick Frost) to fight dragons.

Hiccup, in his desire to be like his father, designs a contraption to slay dragons --- and during one nighttime raid, he manages to strike a Night Fury dragon, but no one will believe him. The next day he comes across the injured beast, but instead of killing him, he befriends him --- bringing him fish to eat --- and also fixing his broken tail. Hiccup names him Toothless and together they change the relationship between Vikings and dragons.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is an inspirational story about courage, loyalty, empathy --- and most

importantly --- love. DeBlois manages to recreate all the feelings and emotions again in this live-action version without losing any of the wonderment of the animated original.

The younger actors who make up the group of trainees are accomplished --- and so very fun. Led by Thames, who grew on me as the film progressed, and Parker, they are a motley crew who come together beautifully by the movie’s end. Butler is amazing as the intimidating Viking leader trying to understand his very different son. And Frost is perfectly cast as the wise and perceptive confidante to Stoick.

By far, though, the best sequences are those of Hiccup and Toothless soaring above and around the majestic landscapes of Berk. Shot with large-format IMAX cameras, those scenes are worth the price of admission alone. They are truly spectacular, crafted by director of photography Bill Pope.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is marvelous entertainment for the entire family. Don’t think because you saw the animated series you can skip this live-action effort. You’ll be making a big mistake. And be sure to see it in IMAX!

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

David: Writer/director Dean DeBlois, who was the force behind the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON animated trilogy, felt compelled to continue his passion for the subject matter. He now can boast of being the force behind the live-action version of the popular series, and we’re fortunate he had this epiphany.

The characters remain the same, but nearly all the voice actors have been replaced by a different group. The exception is Gerard Butler, who reprises his voice role from the trilogy as the Viking Chief Stoick the Vast, a brute of a man who leads his villagers in their on-going battle with the fearsome dragons who pillage Berk, their home island.

Stoick has a son, Hiccup, who outwardly fancies himself as a Viking warrior, but his true nature is exposed here. When he spares and ultimately befriends an injured Night Fury dragon whom he names Toothless, it will change the whole dynamic of the island and all its inhabitants.

Hiccup is at the center of the story, based on the New York Times bestselling book series by Cressida Cowell. A truly outstanding performance by Mason Thames as Hiccup holds our attention. Of course, his relationship with Toothless is key, but Hiccup also has romantic feelings for Astrid (Nico Parker), one of his rivals for the title of Top Dragon Slayer, to be awarded after an extensive training period led by Gobber (Nick Frost). Astrid is standoffish with Hiccup initially, but she warms up to him and the two young leads exhibit nice chemistry.

The other contenders for that title are Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), and fraternal twins Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn). The results of their daily competition are calculated on an abacus --- hilarious. It is this group that provides most of the comic relief.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a beautifully conceived visual feast shot in Iceland, Scotland and the Faroe Islands. The flying sequences are dazzling and the music by John Powell, who returns from his role as composer for the trilogy, is vibrant and stirring.

One of the film’s more subtle features is Hiccup’s maneuvering of the tail attachment he fabricated when Toothless was injured. This enables him to “steer” Toothless in directions he wants the dragon to go, much like an equestrian working together with a horse. Hiccup is essentially a “dragon whisperer”, a talent which will greatly affect how this story of the Vikings moves along.

Funny enough, the last Viking era ended around 1066 AD. Given that information, some of the dialogue contains current vernacular, such as “Are you kidding me?”, which I found amusing. As for the dragons, their creation was inspired by real animals. For example, the Gronckle looks like a bulldog, flicking tongue and all. He was my favorite.

The list of behind-the-scenes principals reads like a who’s-who of major award winners and nominees. As for DeBlois, he is a three-time Oscar nominee and a Golden Globe winner.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a gigantically ambitious project --- courtesy of a massive crew --- that is suitable for the whole family. The film is a must-see on an IMAX screen.

Opinion: Strong See It Now!