Season 1, Autumn 2013, Movie Review #4: How To Train Your Dragon

   Well, Autumn has just completely dismantled Summer in a matter of days, and the wind is blowing full force around the house even now, which means I have less than two months to use the term 'Season 1'. Then come the bleak, cold days of Winter. And speaking of cold, today I'm taking you to an island twelve days North of hopeless and a few degrees South of freezing to death.
   This, is Berk.


PART ONE: THE PLOT

 

   Dragon fire blazes on the small Isle of Berk, set like a jagged spike in the midst of the great North Sea, where Vikings dwell. And only a Viking would be brave, or stubborn enough to stay.
   Besieged and stolen from by wild and deadly Dragons of vast varieties and numerous abilities, the Vikings of Berk have fought this war for centuries. Hundreds of Vikings, thousands of Dragons have fallen, yet the conflict shows no sign of ending.
   That is, until a hiccup occurs. No, literally, a Hiccup. Given the name reserved for Viking weaklings and shorties, young teenager Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III isn't exactly a comfortable topic on Berk, especially not for his father, Stoick the Vast, the bitter and powerful village chieftain.
   Brilliant and inventive, but unappreciated, Hiccup's deepest desire is to please his father and his tribe, which by societal norm means he must slay his own Dragon.
   But when he shoots down a legendary and mysterious Night Fury Dragon, which is never seen, but never misses, Hiccup discovers that everything his people have ever known about Dragons is wrong.
   Suddenly caught between man and Dragon, Hiccup finds himself opposed by a foe more deadly than even his father realizes, and faced with a choice that will rock both Dragon and Viking's worlds forever.

PART TWO: THE REVIEW

     One does not simply dislike this movie.
When I first watched it in 2010, I was so inspired by it that I wrote a 65-page research booklet about Vikings. Betcha didn't know they never wore horned or winged helmets, didja?
   The main character, Hiccup, is immediately lovable, a character whose insecurity, struggles and own agendas can automatically be related to. Plus, he's brilliant, inventive, witty, hilarious and brave, so it's impossible not to like him.
   The other characters are also hilarious or cool in their own way: Stoick, despite his frustration at his son's uniqueness, longs to relate with his son, and is an epic, powerful warrior with nearly no fear--the picture of a true Viking.
   Then there's Gobber, the witty Viking with a missing hand and leg, who trains the young teen Vikings, Fishlegs, a nerdy character, Snotlout, a rough, smooth-talking character, the rowdy twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut, Astrid, the beautiful but tough, strict Viking girl, and of course, the Night Fury, who Hiccup names Toothless.

    The conflict between Hiccup and his father Stoick, both polar opposites, one with a totally hatred towards Dragons, the other with sympathy towards them, one a rough and powerful Viking chief, the other a small, insecure teenager, is the main element driving the story, while the war between Dragons and Vikings is just the cloud of doom making us appreciate it.
   But without the deep, sincere friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, there would be no story, and no possibility of change.
   Ultimately, they are the only solution to the war.
Other than being a great story idea (Vikings vs. Dragons, but with a twist), this movie is also a fun ride that can be enjoyed by all ages (I know a twenty year old college student who LOVES this movie). There are no cheesy or cliche lines that I can think of, and the depth of the story, pacing, action and breathtaking animation all mix to make a very endearing-on-an-epic-scale movie.
   I admit that I was never a huge fan of Dreamworks movies until this movie came out, but the creators of this story turned a page for the company, I believe, proving they don't have to make gross comedies and cheesy stories (e.g Shrek films) to be successful. In other words, Rise of the Guardians and The Croods have stayed true to the great storytelling and awesome animation, taking the studio to new heights.
   As Dreamworks' next big movie franchise, I for once am actually very excited and hopeful for a good How to Train Your Dragon sequel--one that may even exceed its predecessor, if the rumors are true and the new, awesome teaser trailer for #2 are any guide.

                             

PART THREE: CONTENT REPORT

   The characters occasionally say things like 'Oh gods' or 'Thor almighty!' and there is one use of the H word. Violence between Dragons and Vikings occurs often--there are large scale battles and smaller training sessions against them, although no blood is shown and the action is obviously animated. Dragons are shown knocked out of the sky by catapult boulders, Vikings are lifted away, village houses are burned, ships are destroyed and minor characters are killed, but this is not often shown.  Hiccup accidentally wounds Toothless very badly, partially crippling him.
   The main enemy of the movie might be scary for younger children--huge and very dangerous--the equivalent of a breathing atomic bomb.
   A comedic scene between Hiccup and his father shows Stoick giving Hiccup a helmet made from his mother's breastplate, which he awkwardly calls 'breast hat'.
   Hiccup unintentionally lies to his father, and Stoick is very harsh to his son in one particular scene. The movie is rated PG for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language.

 PART FOUR: RATING AND CONCLUSION

   Five stars. That's how big a nerd I am for this movie. I've been obsessed with both Vikings and Dragons for years, so of course I freaked about a movie with both in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and, as aforesaid, am impatiently waiting and dreaming of June 13, 2014, the day How to Train Your Dragon 2 will finally be released.
   The age of Shrek is over. The age of a great story is here.

   So, hopefully you found this review helpful, and if you enjoyed it, feel free to return for more upcoming media reviews!
Peace.
Matt~