How to Train Your Dragon-2010

Director Dean DeBlois, Chris Chambers

Starring Gerard Butler, America Ferrera

Scott’s Review #537

Reviewed December 5, 2016

Grade: B-

How to Train Your Dragon is a  decent, but less than spectacular, animated film from 2010.

Undoubtedly targeted toward youngsters, it contains G-rated elements and I may have enjoyed it more if I were nine years old.

The film is loosely based on the British book series of the same name.

A subsequent sequel has commenced in 2014.

From a story perspective, the film does tell a story with a nice message. Young Hiccup is a teenage Viking on the cusp of becoming a man. As a ritual, he is expected to kill a dragon to prove his worth as a warrior to his tribe.

When put to the test, Hiccup finds that instead of desiring to kill the dragon, he wants to befriend it. Of course, the traditional Vikings want no part of any unity between the tribe and dragons, who are long-time enemies.

Mixed in with the main story is the inevitable love story between Hiccup and Astrid, a tough Viking girl.

There are way too many endless aerial battles between the tamed and vicious dragons, that it begins to feel more like an effort to fill time rather than furthering the main plot in any way.

This film has a nice message of kindness and togetherness but is very predictable and does not take any risks. There is nothing wrong with it, and animated fans may look at it differently, but to me, How to Train Your Dragon (2010) is quite run-of-the-mill.

Oscar Nominations: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score