2010’s animated How To Train Your Dragon (and its following two sequels) are part of the Dreamworks elite, three perfect films that elevated the studio after its Shrek films had run their course. Based on the books of the same name by Cressida Cowell, the story follows the tale of a young Viking and his unlikely friendship with a dragon in a village that hunts and kills them. It dives deep into themes of family, father and son and defying the status quo, the animated films made billions and spun-off into tevision shows and even a recreation of the village Berk in Universal’s new theme park. It’s safe to say, that if any animated film was going to be turned into a live-action route, something that Disney has been doing for the last ten years with some billion-dollar hits like Aladdin and Beauty & The Beast, but lately the studio have seemed to miss the mark with Snow White and The Little Mermaid underperforming. The big test for Dreamworks would be, after three perfect animated films, whether this live-action adaptation could land. After seeing this film on IMAX, the resounding answer is YES!
This feels more like a remix than a remake. Some scenes are beat for beat from the original animated film, and some characters, like Astrid, are given a few more things to do in this version, which gives the character a bit more to do than just being Hiccup’s love interest. The rest of the cast are surprisingly good, Mason Thames as Hiccup does his best to keep the distinct tone we have come to know from the character. His ill-fitting wig aside, he also looks the part, especially when in scenes with the other Vikings who tower over him. Gerard Butler has been gunning overtime in the gym (and on the carbs!), his huge presence delivers what the character needs to deliver, that looming leader who can’t communicate with his words. The only real questionable casting was Bronwyn James as Ruffnut and Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut. They lack the comedic timing and chemistry needed to bring these characters to life.
The big question that this remix poses is how is Toothless and the rest of the dragons? Does it look good, and does the Hiccup and Toothless relationship transition well with a human and CGI character. The creature effects are well detailed and mind-blowing, the fact that the dragons look this real and blend in seamlessly with the scenery is a feat of movie magic. I will preface this by saying I did this in IMAX in Melbourne, and it does take advantage of the full aspect ratio, which makes the flying scenes gargantuan in scale, adding to the emotion. The bong between Hiccup and Toothless is just as impactful as it was in the original animated film. You could hear sniffles as our audience (and myself) were hit hard in the feels when these two finally start working together. The film does so much to earn that moment, and the first flight does not disappoint.
Helping build that emotion is composer John Powell, who brings that classic score from the animated films over to this version. Powell does use the piece of score that you know, but does so with restraint. He does add in new beats to add something new to this live world, which is just as impactful. The moment you reach the piece of score that you know from the original films, it’s like an old friend greeting you, bringing all the feels. It also helps that in IMAX, the score punches out around the cinema, mixing with that 32 x 23 screen that we love to see movies on.
What could have just been a simple animated-to-live-action transition for a quick cash grab, has been elevated by director Dean DeBlois (director of the original animated trilogy and more of your favourites, including Lilo & Stitch and The Wild Robot) bringing along his love for this franchise alongside the animated films composer John Powell and cinematographer Bill Pope who has re-created Berk beautifully. The cartoony village set amongst the Icelandic-looking landscape looks incredibly natural.
How To Train Your Dragon is the blueprint for bringing animated films to live action. By packing it with a talented cast, bringing original talent back to keep the feel of the original property, while being able to flesh out the story and characters a bit more, offering something new to audiences who are returning to the story they know. If you are deciding on a format, seeing this in IMAX was absolutely breathtaking, it is hands down the best way to see this film if you live in the vicinity of one to take full advantage of the effects and flying scenes.
How To Train Your Dragon is in cinemas June 12.
Be the first to leave a review.
Your browser does not support images upload. Please choose a modern one
