By: Cynthia Ayala
The long awaited sequel to How to Train Your Dragon brings back the amazing characters and the fun heartwarming charm that made the first movie such a success.
Directed by: Dean DeBlois
Screenplay by: Dean DeBlois
Based on How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse & T.J. Miller
Genres: Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure, Animated
Hiccup has brought peace between the dragons and the Vikings. The peace has lasted for five years, and the Vikings have only bonded closer to their dragons. And Hiccup as always, is living free, flying with his faithful dragon and best friend Toothless. But when a mad man named Drago Bloodfist comes, with a dragon army of his own and challenges this peace, it’s up to Hiccup, Toothless and the rest of the Vikings to save their own and protect their dragons.
This was such an amazing movie! Fans of the first movie are definitely going to love this movie as it builds on the last one and viewers get to see Hiccup all grown up, yet still young enough to capture the younger viewers. This was just a fun and heartfelt movie as it builds not only on the father and son relationship between Hiccup and Stoick, but also builds on the friendship between the characters and the dynamics between son and lost mother.
In this movie, viewers see that the Dragons are in trouble, that their very free will is in jeopardy as the mad man Drago seeks to control the dragons and bring people to their knees. There was so much right with this movie, especially when it united mother and son, highlighting how similar the characters are and how similar she is to his father. That was the best part of this movie, seeing the family element and the juxtaposition of love and war.
However, once again the best element in the film is not the writing, even though that was amazing, but rather the animation on Toothless part. The facial expressions the joy and sadness, even the confusion and anger it felt was so readable on his face. As always, Toothless was adorable, and when he and Hiccup are separated, the viewer’s heart will ache, regardless of the age, because these two characters are brothers, best friends and care so deeply for one another. Words are barely spoken between these characters, but what gravitates the viewer and connects them to their connection is the facial expression, is the worry and fear each character has for one another.
How to Train Your Dagon 2 is an amazing film for all ages. ★★★★ (A)