How To Train Your Dagon (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
I gotta say it. For me, Dreamworks studio has provided nearly as many animation classics (in recent history) as Pixar. Pixar is great. But Dreamworks can't be denied its masterstrokes. And I really, really like the company's latest offering, 'How To Train Your Dragon', directed by Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois. Our protagonist/narrator is a pitiable teen boy named Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel), son of the Viking village's chief. Hiccup is a smart, but doofy medieval guy who loves reading, aspires to hunt wild dragons {who doesn't?}, & wants to learn how to wield axes. He also longs for a girlfriend; particularly a local tough girl named Astrid (voiced with feistiness by America Ferrera). When a host of dragons attack Hiccup's seacliff town of Berk, his chieftain father, Stoick (Gerard Butler), & the local blacksmith, Gobber (talk show host, Craig Ferguson), declare war with them.
Stoick gathers his best men & seeks out the dragon's lair while Gobber puts the next generation of Vikings through Dragon training sessions (how to kill 'em). True to form - and lacking necessary dragon slaying skills, anyway - Hiccup departs to locate a dragon he'd previously injured in the forest. He finds him. But feeling compassion for this elusive 'Night Fury' dragon, he heals him, bonds with him, & names him 'Toothless'. What occurs for the duration is the tried-&-true tale of 'seeing someone for who they are inside & disregarding their prickly exterior'. It's all too easy for humans to destroy what they/we don't understand. But Hiccup shows his fellow Vikings (and all of us) that even the most formidable of dragons can be sweet, generous creatures when treated with respect.
'HTTYD' is a wonderful fantasy adventure. There are as many sweet moments as there are terrifying (climax, much?). The animation is beautifully textured. I loved all the different breeds of dragons. And Toothless is the cutest animated creature I've seen in a long time. The voice-acting is stellar from all (Baruchel brings youthful innocence & awkwardness to Hiccup; Butler brings steely masculinity to the father role, etc.). The character of Hiccup harbors the kind of courage that you hope for in every hero. The musical score aids the film with epic-like themes. The flying-on-a-dragon sequences are absolutely thrilling (lending to two of my three - yes, three - 'tears of joy' spurts). And the climactic battle segment had me writhing in my seat with suspense - because you really feel like something is at stake.
Now, the film isn't perfect. I found the 1st 15 min. to be a bit hectic. The narrative has fits & starts (basically, it's exceptional whenever Hiccup & Toothless are together). I wondered why some "Vikings" have Scottish accents, & why some have American accents. And the story arc is familiar. However, even though it's familiar (outcast helps fellow outcast, shows his elders how brave/righteous he can be, & saves the day), it is executed with moral alertness, wit, feeling & depth. The bonding of 'boy & beast' is magnetic. And though it isn't an instant classic, 'HTTYD' is one of those exciting, heart rendering films that can be appreciated by people of all ages. It's the best film (so far, this year) to take the kids to. And I bet you'll fall for it, too.
Stoick gathers his best men & seeks out the dragon's lair while Gobber puts the next generation of Vikings through Dragon training sessions (how to kill 'em). True to form - and lacking necessary dragon slaying skills, anyway - Hiccup departs to locate a dragon he'd previously injured in the forest. He finds him. But feeling compassion for this elusive 'Night Fury' dragon, he heals him, bonds with him, & names him 'Toothless'. What occurs for the duration is the tried-&-true tale of 'seeing someone for who they are inside & disregarding their prickly exterior'. It's all too easy for humans to destroy what they/we don't understand. But Hiccup shows his fellow Vikings (and all of us) that even the most formidable of dragons can be sweet, generous creatures when treated with respect.
'HTTYD' is a wonderful fantasy adventure. There are as many sweet moments as there are terrifying (climax, much?). The animation is beautifully textured. I loved all the different breeds of dragons. And Toothless is the cutest animated creature I've seen in a long time. The voice-acting is stellar from all (Baruchel brings youthful innocence & awkwardness to Hiccup; Butler brings steely masculinity to the father role, etc.). The character of Hiccup harbors the kind of courage that you hope for in every hero. The musical score aids the film with epic-like themes. The flying-on-a-dragon sequences are absolutely thrilling (lending to two of my three - yes, three - 'tears of joy' spurts). And the climactic battle segment had me writhing in my seat with suspense - because you really feel like something is at stake.
Now, the film isn't perfect. I found the 1st 15 min. to be a bit hectic. The narrative has fits & starts (basically, it's exceptional whenever Hiccup & Toothless are together). I wondered why some "Vikings" have Scottish accents, & why some have American accents. And the story arc is familiar. However, even though it's familiar (outcast helps fellow outcast, shows his elders how brave/righteous he can be, & saves the day), it is executed with moral alertness, wit, feeling & depth. The bonding of 'boy & beast' is magnetic. And though it isn't an instant classic, 'HTTYD' is one of those exciting, heart rendering films that can be appreciated by people of all ages. It's the best film (so far, this year) to take the kids to. And I bet you'll fall for it, too.