Take flight with Universal Pictures‘ How to Train Your Dragon exclusively in cinemas from June 9th.
Synopsis
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
Review
Live-action remakes have always had a very shaky history in cinema. They are often scrutinized for their fidelty, whether that’s people claiming they are too similiar or too different. Looking back at many of the live-action remakes, particularly from Disney, it’s not a surprise that an adaptation such as How to Train Your Dragon was orginally met with some resistance. However, it’s easy for me to sit back here and say that How to Train Your Dragon is the best live-action adaptation we’ve had in many, many years. Not only is it just a great film to watch, it’s also an incredibly honest and faithful adaptation that introduces just enough fresh elements to make the entire thing worthwhile. Any new element added are purely used to expand on some of the characters to give them a bit of extra depth, or to simply shake up a scene. All of the core elements that made How to Train Your Dragon shine bright are very much intact and, to an extent, enhanced by the new medium.
As a huge fan of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, it was nerve-racking experience. When you cherish a film so intensely, nostalgia can sometimes elevate the experience or completely wreck it. The image you have of this perfect film is quite often tricky to let go of. Honestly, I walked out feeling the exact same I did walking out of the very first film when I was just 12 years old. I was in love with the world, the dragons, and the beautiful friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. There is so much love and care embued in this movie and it’s obvious from the moment it starts with John Powell’s iconic score playing. As a comparison to the original, it’s impossible to hate what they achieved because a lot of it is a homage. Director Dean DeBlois knew just how special the animated film was, so why change what works?
When the film was first announced, I was eager to see just how everything would translate over. The original film had a very specific aesthetic, often exaggerated, Just look at how big Stoick the Vast is, or even how animated certain dragons like the Gronkle look. Could they adapt Berk perfectly and still give Toothless his adorable personality while also making everything feel real. To put it simply… Yes. How to Train Your Dragon is a visually stunning ride that perfectly captures the viking experience. Berk feels so grounded and natural, the dragons look absolutely stunning, and the world feels believable. Animation allows you to bend the rules slightly in terms of shape and form, but this live-action adaptation truly feels like the most accurate representation. Certain liberties are taken to make things work, like the Monstrous Nightmare looking the most different compared to its animated counterpart, but any visual differences are utterly minute. The core of each character, dragon, and location is still as vibrant as it was in the original. However, there are particular elements that work better in the live-action world. The relationship between Stoick and Hiccup is one of those things and it is purely down to minor changes as well as both Gerard Butler and Mason Thames’ physical performance. The tension, love and reconcilliation is so much more powerful with these two at the forefront.
You can’t talk about How to Train Your Dragon without mentioning John Powell’s score. The overall soundtrack, like the film itself, remains true to the orginal. However, the small changes stand out so nicely. They’re very subtle, yet very refreshing. Powell’s score, particularly “Test Drive”, “Forbidden Friendship” and “Romantic Flight” helped put How to Train Your Dragon on the map, and these updated versions revealed just how dedicated everyone was to making a live-action adaptation that fully recognised the key ingredients that established a die-hard fanbase. How to Train Your Dragon couldn’t work without Powelll’s score, or without particular scenes, and this adaptation is fully aware of that. There’s something truly magical about Powell’s music that just transforms every scene. It’s enchanting, epic, moving, and exhilerating. The score binds the entire film together and heightens every emotional beat. After the original came out over a decade ago, I would have Powell’s soundtrack on repeat constantly, even daily, and to have
Verdict
How to Train Your Dragon is an absolute must-see for everyone, whether you grew up on the original trilogy or are fully prepared for your first visit to Berk. The characters are brought to life brilliantly by the cast, the story remains true to itself and features the morals and messages that made the first film a touching and moving masterpiece. The plethora of dragons are expertly crafted; they look incredible and they each have their own presence and weight. You can feel their power, speed and size, yet their charming characteristics and demeanor remain unscathed. For adaptations, this is such a great leap in the right direction and you can’t help but feel excited for the future.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by three-time Oscar® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). The live-action adaptation stars Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz and Murray McArthur.
Will you be catching How to Train Your Dragon on the big screen? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to check out more reviews right here.
