With “How to Train Your Dragon” you have an animated film that adults can enjoy with our without children. Although the 3D experience is not quite up to “Avatar” standards, it’s as good (or better) than most 3D releases. And with a solid script, top-notch voice work, and solid family values messages, “How to Train Your Dragon” is a movie to see. Narrator and main character Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel) is the son of the Viking village’s chief and a guy who prefers reading and designing things rather than learning how to wield an ax and fight dragons. Essentially, he’s a geek, much to the embarrassment of his father Stoick (Gerard Butler) and his mentor Gobber (Craig Ferguson). When dragons attack the town, Stoic and the men decide to seek out the dragons’ lair while Gobber teaches the younger generation the fine art of dragon fighting. Hiccup, however, has other interests when he discovers a wounded dragon in the woods. After realizing that dragons have been misunderstood, Hiccup sets out to rectify the situation.
Ultimately, this movie is about a ‘boy and his dog’ without the sad ending of “Old Yeller.” The animation is impressive with a lot of action to accompany the narrative although I wonder at the odd depiction of Toothless (Hiccup’s dragon friend). He really doesn’t look like a dragon. The vocal casting is exceptional. Jay Baruchel, who’s currently starring in “She’s Out of My League,” is effective as the young boy who finds his place in the world. America Ferrera brings a feistiness to Astrid, the girl Hiccup admires from afar. Butler and Ferguson are skilled as the main adults, but Scottish Vikings? And last, but not least, “How to Train Your Dragon” imparts several family-friendly lessons: the importance of family, of tolerance, and not rushing to destroy what we don’t understand. Everything comes together in this movie – it soars. 3/26/10
5 comments:
Anymore, some of the best movies are "toons". This was true last year with "Up" and the year before with "Wall-E". Now this year we get "Dragon" amd it is very good.......it will be in the running at Oscar time.
BO Mojo shows that "Dragon" has made 204 million world wide so far (in 2.2 weeks) and cost $ 165 million to make. Looks like Buena Vista has another winner here.
I have to say, "Dragon" stressed me out. Overall, I was disappointed the writing wasn't a bit more clever, closer to the witty dialogue of Pixar's films, and I felt that the character development was rather blah and elementary. I was stressed because I was so worried about the dragon. I know it sounds stupid, but I was so worried about this innocent character in the hands of a bumbling, insecure kid, that I found myself unhappy. The climax of the film was quite good, well done, fulfilling, and finally the characters were dynamic and memorable, but the ride to get there wasn't my favorite.
You're right. The dialogue isn't as clever as the Pixar movies. It appears that Dreamworks relies more on voice acting and the movie's conclusion rather than character development. It's certainly not "Up." I really liked the dragon although I thought his animation was odd. I don't visualize dragons with heads that round.
I don't agree with the last two comments. This animated film will make close to half a billion worldwide and Box Office Mojo gives it a very high A- (high for them). This Toon is as good as any you will see this year and the animation, I thought, was great!
Post a Comment