OneMetal.com film REVIEW:
How to Train Your Dragon

With lackluster flicks muddying the fantasy film genre, fiery dragons and dark sorcery can easily transform a lovable story into unappealing flab. Thankfully, Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders’ 3D-compatible How to Train Your Dragon movie (DreamWorks Animation) slips through those doomed cracks, achieving heights to which only a pet dragon and his boy rider could aspire.

Moviegoers who enjoyed last fall’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will happily gush over this film’s charisma, which knits hearty Viking glory together with ancient dragon lore. How to Train Your Dragon’s real joy, though, spills from its unlikely chemistry between the human characters and their serpentine foes. As the scrawny young Viking, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), befriends the most perilous dragon to terrorize the skies—a legendary Night Fury whom he nicknames Toothless, he gains an understanding that notably differs from the violent touch of his more headstrong, axe-loving neighbors. The animators nestle quirky traits into each dragon species, and these creative details not only allow Hiccup to train his mischievous new pal, but they also teach him a bag of dragon-taming tricks that reshape his world view. Full of character, the movie comes alive under the blanket of such imagination.

How to Train Your Dragon bustles along, maintaining a smooth pace. Although one shortcoming burdens the film in terms of plot—involving the action climax that caps the overarching strife—the sheer heart-tugging entertainment quickly stamps out any inconsistencies. The film surpasses cliche-ridden, paper-thin productions like Eragon, molding comfortably to its 3D shell. While the fancier presentation bodes well for How to Train Your Dragon, elevating the already bewitching humor, the surreal feature ultimately does not define the experience. Even the music captivates. Full of character, the movie comes to life under the blanket of such imagination.

Albeit based on an actual children’s book (author Cressida Cowell), How to Train Your Dragon hurls a strong aftermath, a mortal reveal that might disturb some viewers, especially after such an agreeable tale. Regardless, it’s this inclusion that perfectly culminates the movie’s harmonic themes, and anything less would simply degrade the film’s endearing yet tactful energy.

Bottom Line

With entertainment pleasing audiences young and old alike, How to Train Your Dragon's surprisingly delightful and intelligently crafted nature cements it as a beloved family movie.