More than a decade after Toothless first charmed audiences, Universal Pictures has breathed new fire into "How to Train Your Dragon" with a live-action adaptation that manages to capture the magic of the original while offering a fresh cinematic experience. Director Dean DeBlois, who guided the acclaimed animated trilogy, returns to expand his own story, and the result is a heartfelt, visually spectacular film that feels both familiar and new.
At its core, the story remains timeless. On the Viking island of Berk, dragons are seen as dangerous enemies to be hunted without mercy. Hiccup (Mason Thames, The Black Phone), the awkward son of village chief, Stoick (Gerard Butler, 300), struggles to live up to his father's expectations of becoming a fierce dragon slayer. But everything changes when he encounters the elusive Night Fury. Instead of killing the wounded creature, Hiccup shows compassion, forming an unlikely bond with the dragon he names Toothless. This friendship forces him, and eventually his entire village, to see dragons in a new light.
The film benefits enormously from its ensemble cast. Thames brings warmth and sincerity to Hiccup, while Nico Parker (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy) plays Astrid with grit and charisma, balancing toughness with vulnerability. Butler once again proves a commanding presence as Stoick, and Nick Frost adds humor as the gruff yet lovable trainer Gobber. Supporting performances from Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, and Harry Trevalwyn help flesh out Berk as a fully realized community.
The true showstopper, however, is Toothless. Brought to life with remarkable visual effects, every scale and expression feels meticulously crafted, giving the Night Fury a presence that is both majestic and endearing. The flying sequences are pure cinematic wonder-sweeping camera work paired with John Powell's rousing score creates moments of breathtaking exhilaration.
What sets this remake apart from many other live-action reimaginings is its balance. DeBlois resists the temptation to overload the film with spectacle. Instead, he grounds the action in character-driven storytelling and well-timed humor, ensuring the emotional core never gets lost. At over two hours, the extended runtime adds depth rather than drag, allowing for more world-building and a climactic finale that feels earned.
From a technical standpoint, the film is a triumph. The production design brings Berk to life with gritty detail, while the Dolby Atmos sound mix amplifies every dragon's roar and swoop through the skies. Powell's returning score ties it all together, reminding audiences of the emotional resonance that made the original film unforgettable.
Special Features Include:
- Audio Commentary - Writer/Director Dean DeBlois offers thoughtful insight, comparing the animated original to the live-action remake and discussing the creative challenges he faced during production. An informative and engaging track.
- Deleted Scenes - With introductions by DeBlois, these extended sequences give fans a look at material that ultimately didn't make the final cut-understandably so, given the film's length.
- Gag Reel - A lighthearted collection of outtakes and on-set bloopers.
- Love and Legacy: Making How to Train Your Dragon - A behind-the-scenes featurette exploring how the cherished characters and rich fantasy world were reimagined for live action.
- Building Berk - A detailed look at the set design and craftsmanship that brought the Viking village of Berk to life with scale, authenticity, and heart.
- Dreaming Up the Dragons - An exploration of the artistry, technology, and imagination used to create lifelike dragons for the big screen.
- Fit for a Viking - A spotlight on the cast's physical transformations and costumes, showing the work that went into embodying Berk's Viking warriors.
- Forbidden Friendship - With an introduction from DeBlois, viewers can watch Mason Thames perform the full "Forbidden Friendship" sequence alongside a puppeteer during the film's early development stages.
- Test Drive - Another DeBlois-introduced featurette, showcasing the creative process behind Hiccup's first exhilarating flight with Toothless.
- Exploring the Isle of Berk at Epic Universe - A special feature that invites audiences to step into a theme park re-creation of Berk, where Vikings and dragons coexist in harmony.
Ultimately, this remake succeeds because it never forgets what made the original special - the bond between a boy and his dragon. Hiccup and Toothless's friendship remains the beating heart of the story, and it translates beautifully to live action. Whether you're discovering this tale for the first time or revisiting it with nostalgia, the film soars on both heart and spectacle.
Grade A-
