How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
(A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' (directed by Dean DeBlois) is the 3rd and - supposed - final entry in this Dragon franchise and, well, it goes out on the same high that it came in on. Now that Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is Viking chieftain of his people, he & Astrid (America Ferrara), along with their worthy warriors - including mother, Valka (Cate Blanchett) - have been rescuing imprisoned dragons from dragon catchers & bringing them to their seaside village of Berk. The village has become overrun by man & beast. So Hiccup, looking to fix to the overpopulation problem, finds clues hints left behind by his father that indicate the existence of a utopic 'hidden world' at the end of the horizon line that is solely inhabited by dragons.
Their need to find refuge elsewhere becomes vital once blood-lusting Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), who is hell bent on killing the winged beasts, gets wind of the existence of prized Toothless, Hiccup's loveable black Night Fury. To entrap Toothless, Grimmel uses a beautiful white female dragon, whom Astrid names Light Fury, as bait. Toothless is bewitched by the shimmering Light Fury, as their courtship plays out on the sand & in the sky {humorous, lovely sequence}. It is evident they're meant to be together ... but what of Toothless' loyalty to Hiccup? Hiccup, realizing he can't keep Toothless from his female companion, fashions a longer tail for him so he can fly with her to the 'hidden world'. But first, they - and the entirety of Berk's inhabitants - must evade & subdue Grimmel, who views these 2 beautiful, rare dragons as his final mission. Adventure ensues.
This HTTYD franchise has been sweet, entertaining, meaningful, and while I don't know if this 3rd one is on the same level as the 1st or the 2nd, I am just SO grateful that they all exist. The romance btwn. Toothless & Light Fury is so beautifully realized & executed. Their flirtation/playing hard to get on the beach leads to a panoramic scene of them in full flights of fancy which brought a huge grin to my face for a good 10 minutes -- enchanting. You know, the whole intro of Light Fury as a character in this final(?) installment is so important because it sets up a coming of age for both Toothless AND for Hiccup {who comes of age, as well - looking to marry Astrid & realizing that Toothless needs to spread this wings in to pursue his own destiny}.
Visually, this film is astounding - and the best of the series. Sure, the usual character design of the humans & dragons is great. And I love the beautifully hectic land of Berk. But when Hiccup & Astrid set-out to find Toothless & Light Fury in their Hidden World, they - AND WE - couldn't have imagined the breathtaking refuge they discover. The animators have created a hidden paradise for the dragons that is truly awe-worthy; brilliant in its electric color schemes & scintillating in scope. This section of the film alone is worth the price of admission and, I'm pretty sure I let out a lengthy, audible "wow" during the sequence. 'HTTYD 3' {as I call it} also boasts great voice-work from the returning Baruchel, Ferrara, Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, Kit Harrington & Kristen Wiig (as the zany, fast-talking Ruffnut).
'HTTYD 3' is just classic family entertainment. Sure, the plot isn't as strong or sophisticated as it could have been; especially if it's a trilogy capper. And the villain, Grimmel, is disappointingly one-dimensional. But there are many magical moments & potent themes throughout that will resonate with many a child: themes of love, loyalty {btwn. owner & pet}, support {Hiccup's mother & girlfriend help him through crisis}, the power of friendship ... and the courage of 'letting go'. Though it would benefit from a tighter plot/better villain, with spectacular animation, superb music by John Powell {once again}, an all-star cast, the sweet story line & that 5 minute epilogue {cue the tissues}, there is little else you could ask for in a family movie.
Their need to find refuge elsewhere becomes vital once blood-lusting Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), who is hell bent on killing the winged beasts, gets wind of the existence of prized Toothless, Hiccup's loveable black Night Fury. To entrap Toothless, Grimmel uses a beautiful white female dragon, whom Astrid names Light Fury, as bait. Toothless is bewitched by the shimmering Light Fury, as their courtship plays out on the sand & in the sky {humorous, lovely sequence}. It is evident they're meant to be together ... but what of Toothless' loyalty to Hiccup? Hiccup, realizing he can't keep Toothless from his female companion, fashions a longer tail for him so he can fly with her to the 'hidden world'. But first, they - and the entirety of Berk's inhabitants - must evade & subdue Grimmel, who views these 2 beautiful, rare dragons as his final mission. Adventure ensues.
This HTTYD franchise has been sweet, entertaining, meaningful, and while I don't know if this 3rd one is on the same level as the 1st or the 2nd, I am just SO grateful that they all exist. The romance btwn. Toothless & Light Fury is so beautifully realized & executed. Their flirtation/playing hard to get on the beach leads to a panoramic scene of them in full flights of fancy which brought a huge grin to my face for a good 10 minutes -- enchanting. You know, the whole intro of Light Fury as a character in this final(?) installment is so important because it sets up a coming of age for both Toothless AND for Hiccup {who comes of age, as well - looking to marry Astrid & realizing that Toothless needs to spread this wings in to pursue his own destiny}.
Visually, this film is astounding - and the best of the series. Sure, the usual character design of the humans & dragons is great. And I love the beautifully hectic land of Berk. But when Hiccup & Astrid set-out to find Toothless & Light Fury in their Hidden World, they - AND WE - couldn't have imagined the breathtaking refuge they discover. The animators have created a hidden paradise for the dragons that is truly awe-worthy; brilliant in its electric color schemes & scintillating in scope. This section of the film alone is worth the price of admission and, I'm pretty sure I let out a lengthy, audible "wow" during the sequence. 'HTTYD 3' {as I call it} also boasts great voice-work from the returning Baruchel, Ferrara, Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, Kit Harrington & Kristen Wiig (as the zany, fast-talking Ruffnut).
'HTTYD 3' is just classic family entertainment. Sure, the plot isn't as strong or sophisticated as it could have been; especially if it's a trilogy capper. And the villain, Grimmel, is disappointingly one-dimensional. But there are many magical moments & potent themes throughout that will resonate with many a child: themes of love, loyalty {btwn. owner & pet}, support {Hiccup's mother & girlfriend help him through crisis}, the power of friendship ... and the courage of 'letting go'. Though it would benefit from a tighter plot/better villain, with spectacular animation, superb music by John Powell {once again}, an all-star cast, the sweet story line & that 5 minute epilogue {cue the tissues}, there is little else you could ask for in a family movie.