“I wouldn’t kill him, because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him… and I saw myself.” – Hiccup
How to Train Your Dragon has always been close to my heart, and it started with a simple moment. I remember watching the original animated film on DVD when it first came out, with my oldest daughter, who was just five at the time and home sick from school. She was quiet and grumpy on the couch… until Toothless appeared. As Hiccup and Toothless became friends, she lit up and turned to me with wide eyes and said, “Baby dragon!” From that day on, that’s what we’ve called him, and ever since, the How to Train Your Dragon series has become a beloved part of our family.
The live-action film, directed once again by Dean DeBlois, brings that same story and spirit to life. It tells the tale of “Hiccup, a young Viking who lives on the island of Berk and breaks away from the tradition of killing dragons by befriending a dragon. A new threat rises to endanger both humans and dragons, and their bond becomes the key to building peace between the two worlds. Together, Hiccup and Toothless show what it truly means to be brave, compassionate, and a leader.”
This live-action version stays incredibly faithful to the animated original, almost scene for scene, and it works beautifully. From the cinematography to the Viking designs, the movie stays true to the original. The visuals are absolutely amazing, and seeing Berk brought to life felt like I was stepping into the animated film!
What impressed me most was the way DeBlois stayed true to the look and personality of the dragons, especially Toothless. Toothless was always a perfect mix of fierce and friendly, and in this live-action version, he’s just as adorable. This attention to detail shows how much DeBlois respects the previous films and the fans who have loved these characters for over a decade.
In other news: Mel Brooks Returns as Yogurt in Upcoming Spaceballs Sequel
The cast gave strong performances. Mason Thames delivers a fantastic performance as Hiccup, capturing the awkward bravery and heart that made the animated version so fun. And seeing Gerard Butler return as Stoick the Vast was nostalgic. His live performance not only brought you back to his amazing voice acting from the original, but Butler was able to add more emotional depth to Stoick’s character that really added to the story.
I’m also glad they kept the focus where it belongs, on the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. The flying scenes are just as exciting as the original film. I felt like I was on a roller coaster! Audiences clearly agree. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “the film is projected to earn a franchise-best opening with $82.7 million domestically and $200.8 million globally.
In the end. If you loved the animated How to Train Your Dragon, you’ll love this live-action version. It’s not just a great live-action adaptation, it’s an example of how to do it right. The story, visuals, and performances all come together to, without unnecessary changes to the story we loved, bring us back to that same feeling and adventure that made us love the original so much.
Take note, Hollywood — this is how you adapt a beloved animated film.
How to Train Your Dragon is in theaters NOW.
