Review of How to Train Your Dragon (2010) by Jaden B — 21 Apr 2016

How to Train Your Dragon: An Adventure Even for Adults.

When the majority of people hear about an animated movie involving dragons and vikings, they generally believe that it is a children's movie, but in this fire-breathing adventure even parents can't help but be sucked into the story! These days it's hard to find a movie that everyone in the family can enjoy, but How to Train Your Dragon is an exception. With its clever script, heart-racing story, and epic soundtrack, families will be able to enjoy this adventure together.

Our story focuses on a viking teenager named, Hiccup. He is your typical underdog who nobody singles out to be a hero. There's a girl that he longs for, recognition he dreams of, and courage he wishes he had. And in order to get all those things, he has to kill a dragon. This is a "right of passage"to his clan, and Hiccup has yet to prove himself. But during another raid from the dragons he decides to go and show everyone, especially Stoik, the clan leader and Hiccup's father, that he can be a true viking. In the process, he shoots down a dragon. But when he finds it injured, tangled up and helplessly looking at him, he has a change of heart and sets the creature free. During the following days and weeks, Hiccup visits and befriends the injured dragon, and names him Toothless. At the same time, he is put into Dragon School, which sole purpose is to train vikings how to kill dragons. Conflicted by what his people expect and what he feels inside, Hiccup must decide what path he will pursue. Follow in his father's footsteps or continue with his forbidden friendship.

This is a movie that can entertain all generations, not just the youngsters. Some of the one-liners in the script are unforgettable and engaging. An example of this is when Stoik gives Hiccup a helmet to use, and tells him it is half of his mother's breastplate. "Matching set."Stoik says, pointing to his own helmet. In another scene, the viking clan is preparing their attack on the dragon's nest and Stoik says to another viking, "When that mountain cracks open, all heck will break loose." The other warrior replies, "And my undies! Good thing I brought extras!".

Another thing that makes the script clever is the plot. While most movies are predictable with their plot, this one has many loops and twists that continue to engage viewers throughout the entire story. For example, in the film the dragon's island has never been found by any viking, but suddenly while flying around the viking island, Toothless begins flying away and leads Hiccup to the unfindable nest. While on the island, another twist occurs. While they are on the other island, they find an unearthly dragon that no one has ever seen before, that is larger than many viking ships. The ultimate twister though, happens at the end of the story. Unfortunately at the conclusion of the last battle, instead of coming out fine, our hero is injured and handicapped.

One of the things that make this film fantastic is how the music captivates the viewer. The music and the score invoke emotion, excitement, and energy making viewers feel like they are soaring with the fire breathing creatures themselves. Many movies have their own theme songs that instantly bring emotion and feeling to the audience, and composer John Powell does just that with his inspirational piece of music entitled, "Test Drive".

Directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders do an excellent job of enthralling the audience with the heart-racing story by different captivating scenes. One example of this is right from the start of the movie. After some brief dialogue, we are thrown into a flurry of fire and yelling as the dragons begin to attack the Viking village. Another example of this is when Hiccup is test flying Toothless, but in the process they stall and begin falling helplessly towards the sea.

This may not be your typical date night action thriller or chick flick, but at least it isn't like watching Teletubbies or Barney. So, if you are looking for a good movie to watch as a family, that will entertain and inspire, this movie is the one for you. Your kids will likely be wanting a stuffed animal dragon for the rest of the month. But in all reality it will be a classic that your children will love watching again and again.