It’s a good thing that writer/director Dean DeBlois didn’t
fall into the sequel trap and make a retread of the original. Instead, he
elected to move into darker, more serious territory and expand the scope of the
world. And although there are bits that feel extraneous, the production as a
whole comes across more like an organic extension of the original tale than
something tacked on purely to draw a lucrative box office. The movie opens five
years after the events in the first film. The Viking hamlet’s culture has
changed by this time with dragons not only being welcomed in the village but becoming
beloved pets as well. Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler) still rules although he
is trying to convince his reluctant son, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), to take over
the post of chief. Hiccup doesn’t think of himself as a leader of men and would
prefer flying around with his dragon, Toothless, practicing aerial maneuvers
and mapping new territories. His girlfriend, Astrid (America Ferrera), thinks
he underestimates himself. While exploring the world, Hiccup discovers a group
of ‘dragon catchers’ who inform him that a warlord named Drago (Djimon Hounsou)
is assembling an army of dragons to conquer the world. Against the strict
orders of his father, Hiccup decides to search for Drago, convinced that a
civilized conversation will convince Drago to desist. Things don’t go as
planned, however, and Hiccup is waylaid by the fierce dragon rider Valka (Cate
Blanchett), whose identity, once revealed, changes the young man’s priorities.
“How to Train Your Dragon 2 has things to say about loyalty,
friendship and family. This is a coming-of-age story for Hiccup, who is forced
by circumstances to evolve as a character. And the tone is darker than the
original, which was essentially light-hearted fantasy/adventure. This sequel
takes some chances with ideas about mortality. The movie is visually
interesting and the new ‘Alpha’ dragons look appropriately menacing. The level
of violence in “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” which includes war and death, may
be too much for the youngest children. It is, nonetheless, great entertainment
for families. 6/15/14
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