Review of How to Train Your Dragon (2010) by Chloe L — 08 Dec 2017

I don't know about you, but as soon as I watched this childhood classic directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, I binge-read the books by Cressida Cowell. The violent combination of vicious Vikings and dangerous dragons makes the world of the Barbaric Archipelago addictive.

The story begins with a skinny boy called Hiccup, voice-acted by Jay Baruchel, who exhibits the opposite of every Viking trait. He's awkward and wimpy and seemingly useless... and he's the son of the Isle of Berk's chief, Stoick, played by Gerard Butler.

The lighthearted and funny narrative introduces us to Berk, describing the hateful relationship of Vikings versus dragons. All Hiccup wants is to kill a dragon, as that would secure him some friends and respect as the victorious Viking Stoick (Gerard Butler) expects him to be.

Right off the bat (or ax?), Hiccup catches a Nightfury, the most dangerous dragon of all (so they think). But there's more, including uncomfortable attempts at father-to-son bonding, a love-hate relationship with Astrid, a dragon-slaying Viking played by America Ferrera, and the most adorable dragon you'll ever meet, Toothless, who I swear invented the dragon version of puppy-dog eyes.

To take two terrifying subjects and turn them both into conflicts makes the suspense golden.

Without the threat of peer pressure, the intensity of Hiccup's secret wouldn't be quite so intense. The continuous string of physical threats creates more urgency throughout the movie for the situation to be dealt with.

However, the development of this gorgeous movie's plot in comparison to the books does differ significantly. Normally, I would claim a "the book's better than the movie," as an avid reader, but this series caught me off-guard. Both Toothlesses (Toothlessees?) struck a warm chord in my heart, and I love each of them for their own reasons.

Additionally, the dragons' styles are easily comparable to those in the books. This gives the movie a sense of familiarity that I enjoy.

Furthermore, the morals that this movie explores are admirable.

The relationship between Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Stoick (Gerard Butler) can be applied to some parenting morals. Should Stoick hold Hiccup's life higher than typical Viking expectations? However, should Hiccup really be keeping secrets from his father?

The danger of deadly dragons strikes us all within the first moments of the movie. Is a dragon's life more important than Hiccup's (Jay Baruchel)?

Overall, this movie gave me a flashback to my childhood with its adorable relationships and fantasy aspects. It is a suspenseful journey through an intriguing world that will force you to love it, and I encourage any lonely soul to find a new friend in the monstrous, murderous, and secretly adorable Toothless.