How to Train Your Dragon


3.5/4

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson

Rated PG for Sequences of Intense Action and Scary Images, and Brief Mild Language

“How to Train Your Dragon” is an example of how superior storytelling can make the most well-worn formula seem fresh and alive.  There’s really nothing remotely original about “How to Train Your Dragon” except a few details, but like with “Avatar,” this is so well done that we become involved nonetheless.

On the island of Berk, there lives a small group of Vikings.  Unfortunately for them, they are constantly faced with attacks from a nearby dragon population.  Normally, one might think it beneficial to leave, but as the main character, Hiccup (Baruchel), puts it: they have stubbornness issues.

Hiccup, as it turns out, is an embarrassment to the whole Viking population, no less so to his father, Stoick (Butler), the clan leader.  Hiccup is thin, weak and a klutz, so instead of fighting like everyone else, he’s forced to build weapons for the warriors.  One night, he gets fed up and fires a large cannon, hitting a dragon.  Hiccup only wounded it, but when faced with the opportunity, he can’t kill it.  Hiccup and this dragon, which he names Toothless, grow a bond, and he learns that there is more to these dragons than meets the eye.  The thing is, 
Hiccup is starting “Dragon Training,” where he learns how to fight, and kill, dragons.

The voice cast is well chosen.  Of all the movie geeks, Jay Baruchel is the best.  Michael Cera is too quirky and does the same schtick all the time.  Baruchel is similar, but more versatile.  Hiccup is one of those guys you can’t help but love.  He tries so hard, but in the end everything backfires.  As played by Gerard Butler, Stoick is the guy Hiccup is talking about in his opening narration.  Stoick has the strength and presence of being a leader, but he is dangerously stubborn and not exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch.  Craig Ferguson is very funny as Gobber, the handyman and America Ferrera is also well cast as Astrid, the village hottie.

Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, the directors of the film, were also the team behind “Lilo & Stitch,” another successful animated comedy.  That was solid entertainment, but this is a much more accomplished effort.  With a considerably bigger budget and a grander story, the duo proves they have what it takes to make a great movie when they’re given a chance to really spread their wings.  Strange as it may sound, there are some similarities between “Lilo & Stitch” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”  For example, Toothless the Dragon has many of the same mannerisms as Stitch.

It may not be the most original movie out there, but it’s definitely a lot of fun.

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