Review of How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) by Stuart K — 06 Feb 2015

After the success of How to Train Your Dragon (2010), the adaptation of British author Cressida Cowell's series of books. A sequel was inevitable. The original's co-director Dean DeBlois takes on writing and directing duties here, and it's a strong sequel, that like the original film, has heart and some beautiful animation along the way, it manages to have an unbelievably engaging third act.

Set 5 years after the events of the first film, the people of the Viking village of Berk have made peace with the dragons, and even using them in sporting events. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) spends a lot of time with his dragon Toothless, and they use their time exploring new territories.

Until they and Astrid (America Ferrera) discover dragon trapper Eret (Kit Harington), capturing dragons for his boss Drago Bludvist (Djimon Hounsou), a vicious war lord. Hiccup's father Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) says Drago cannot be reasoned with, but Hiccup and Toothless set out to try anyways, and they come across the reclusive dragon trainer Valka (Cate Blanchett), who is Hiccup's mother.

It's very well made, and it looks like DreamWorks Animation have found the perfect franchise to succeed the well worn Shrek films. It has some brilliant visual details throughout, and it has a good sense of humour as well, as well as some serious emotion going on, but the dragons on display is the icing on the cake.