How to Train Your Dragon

[Sxottlan]

This was another pleasant little surprise by the Dreamworks animation team.

When they're not making Shrek films, they're actually creating some good little movies lately. They're copying the single parent plot device a lot recently, but the character interaction has felt very natural, for lack of a better word.

That said, the fellow village kids felt a little under-developed and Astrid's explanation for the dragon nest didn't wash at all. I also thought Hiccup could have broached the truth a little earlier from the angle that it would benefit the village if they were to tame the dragons.

Otherwise this was a thrilling little adventure with some stunning art direction and visuals. Always nice to have Roger Deakins around to help out.

[lovejuice]

love it too. i like that they have different breeds of dragons, and the godzilla-dragon is way awesome.

too bad with the shrek and toy story coming out, this thing seems to go under radar.

[MadMan]

This movie has been getting very good reviews, and some friends of mine enjoyed it. So I'll probably try and go see it in theaters.

[Sxottlan]

I have really liked how Dreamworks has found a niche for simple little stories told in small films that still have very epic scale. It feels like the right kind of counter-point to Pixar's more complex narratives where audiences will seek both out. I recently watched the San Francisco sequence from Monsters vs. Aliens again and it remains a lot of fun with massive action.

And the dream sequence from Kung Fu Panda is one of the most beautiful scenes in recent years. I'm also still blown away by the complexity of some of the relationships in the film, such as between Shifu and Tai Lung.

All of these films also benefit from the studio pursuing young comedic talent and incorporating their type of humor.

[lovejuice]

I have really liked how Dreamworks has found a niche for simple little stories told in small films that still have very epic scale. It feels like the right kind of counter-point to Pixar's more complex narratives where audiences will seek both out.
While I can't say Monsters vs. Aliens succeeds to the same degree as Kung Fu Panda or How to Train Your Dragon, I really agree with your analysis here. The fight and flight scenes in H2TYD surpasses a lot of like scenes in recent summer blockbusters. (Heck! In some aspect, I will say, they surpasses Avatar's even.) If Dreamworks keep up with this, perhaps in three or more years, it'll be in "cartoon" where people go to see real actions.

[Fezzik]

Saw this last night. On first blush, I think it's the best CGI animated film DreamWorks has ever done. I loved the hell out of this thing.

The voice work was very good, the animation was stellar (seriously..the facial expression animations? Maybe the best i've ever seen).

Toothless is a wonderful character. Not surprising, really, since co-director Chris Sanders created Lilo and Stitch, and there are some similar earmarks here.

The set pieces were pretty much top shelf across the board, with the final battle being a rather potent high point.

Good stuff.

I echo what's been said before about DreamWorks finding their stride and knowing their strength. Both Kung Fu Panda and this show that they're not trying to out-Pixar Pixar anymore and are comfortable making solid films that feel bigger than they are.

[Sxottlan]

If Dreamworks keep up with this, perhaps in three or more years, it'll be in "cartoon" where people go to see real actions.

Richard Corliss over at Time wrote an article (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1975321,00.html) about this very topic. He compared Dreamworks to Warner Brothers and Pixar to Disney back in the old days.

The article speaks favorably of Dreamworks' earlier animated films, but the reason I've enjoyed their recent films so much is because I thought the earlier ones were so terrible. Behold:

Shrek: **
Shrek 2: *1/2
Shark Tale: *
Madagascar: **

Whereas:

Kung Fu Panda: ***
Monsters Vs. Aliens: ***
How to Train Your Dragon: ***1/2

And kind of off on its own:

Prince of Egypt: ***1/2

[Kurosawa Fan]

Wow. I really liked this. Took both sons to it this morning, no one else was in the theater so my youngest was free to ask me questions. Great story, good animation, a few funny moments. This was much better than I expected. My oldest really liked it, too. My youngest, not as much. Still enjoyed it I think, but I think a lot of it went over his head.

[Watashi]

Guess I was one of the few who was really let down by this film. Lovely visuals and great 3D work, but just plain dull characterizations and most important.... it's just not funny. Every single side character outside of Toothless serves little to no purpose.

[lovejuice]

Guess I was one of the few who was really let down by this film. Lovely visuals and great 3D work, but just plain dull characterizations and most important.... it's just not funny. Every single side character outside of Toothless serves little to no purpose.
without watashi's seal of animation approval, somehow i feel like it might not be that great afterall. :sad:

:P

[balmakboor]

Saw it. Loved it. My daughters both want a Toothless for their very own.

[MadMan]

Stunning visuals, plus this was incredibly entertaining. I don't place much stock in characterization anyways-and besides, the characters seemed fine to me, as the story was rather simple yet managed to keep my interest throughout. Toothless was akin to an adorable large dog-I laughed at the scene where he tries to smile. The big action flying sequences were cool, although they did kind of appear to be something that you would find in a video game. Overall, a really good movie that actually warrents the use of 3D, and is a sign that maybe Dreamworks is going in a more interesting direction-although I guess there's Shrek 4 looming in the distance.

[hey it's ethan]

I enjoyed the hell out of this. The best thing about it is how it's not designed exclusively for jokes the way something like Shrek or Madagascar are but rather is just a fantasy movie that takes advantage of the animated medium. The extra work put into this movie by getting people like Roger Deakins and Sigur Ros to give a helping hand really ends up showing.

[Watashi]

What scene was Sigur Ros used?

[hey it's ethan]

What scene was Sigur Ros used?
The end credits; I'm aware that it thus has nothing to really do with the actual movie but it shows that there was more inspiration put into this movie as opposed to something like Shrek 2 which just uses "She Bangs".

[kopello]

This was a total blast, may be my favorite movie so far this year. Even though I was a little stubborn about seeing it in 3D because of the extra price I thought it was actually used very well. Some scenes it was especially used well in were the battle scenes and when Hiccup first flies on Toothless were amazing to look at. It seems Dreamworks is starting to give Pixar a run for its money (not including Shrek lulz).

[Sxottlan]

The end credits; I'm aware that it thus has nothing to really do with the actual movie but it shows that there was more inspiration put into this movie as opposed to something like Shrek 2 which just uses "She Bangs".

Huh. How did I completely miss that? My esteem for this film just went up half a tick.

All the more I feel I need to see this again.

[KK2.0]

I enjoyed the hell out of this. The best thing about it is how it's not designed exclusively for jokes the way something like Shrek or Madagascar are but rather is just a fantasy movie that takes advantage of the animated medium.

It's based on a book series, maybe that's the reason why it's more story driven. I've found this very enjoyable as well, even if it doesn't escape from a few cliches, like:

the omnipresent tear jerking "ïs he dead or not?" ploy, yikes!

i love Nico Marlet's character designs to death, he's the same guy who created Kung Fu Panda's characters and his collaboration with dreamworks has been solid.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IVz6eiQYukI/S7UriYr98dI/AAAAAAAAElc/VpR9bLDg-nk/s1600/14.jpg

[Henry Gale]

Really loved it. I've never felt anything like I did when Toothless takes that first dive down close to the water. Maybe it was the 3D, but I honestly felt it almost physically, and the movie never stopped in that same way of keeping me emotionally captivated either, especially after scenes like that.

Sure, some of the characters seem pretty much just there to spout themes and move along the plot conveniently while not being very interesting and mostly there to say what they don't think kids may be understanding about the plot. Butler's father character has a few too many "[I feel this way about you at this moment], Son." lines, but otherwise I thought the story itself (despite some of the ingredients that drove it) was engaging and realized enough to not have such things feel overly forced.

The whole thing's absolutely gorgeous, I know a lot of credit has been given to Deakins' visual consulting (people forget he also did this for WALL-E), but even the simplest compositions are painted with such perfect and fitting touches. The amount of detail in everything from the freckles on Hiccup's face, to Toothless' skin and any close up to fabric or littles bits of what make of the "natural" environments; it's all spectacular.

The ending got me choked up in a way I definitely didn't expect it to and maybe can only understand again with the full experience of the film, but it like so much of it, it caught me off-guard. For me, only Kung Fu Panda and the first Shrek (which I haven't seen since I was about 13...) come anywhere close to this from the rest of Dreamworks' CG output. DeBlois and Sanders are now an animation duo I will put much trust in for the future.

***½

[Morris Schæffer]

For my money, one of the best animated adventures I've seen in a long time. At times though it virtually moves too fast such as when Hiccup's dad and armada discover the nest, I kinda wish there would have been some more buildup with them venturing into the cave etc...

The final baddie is so fucking awesomely spectacular that had this scene been stretched a bit more, it would have been one of the tensest scenes in all of animation I'm sure. Still, I suppose kids might have fleed the theater in terror.

There's this awe-inspiring shot of a flaming torch being launched into the cave's aperture, and the innards light up and reveal a seemingly infinite number of dragons, resting motionless on its insides.

And just when I thought it ended on too happy a note, Hiccup gets out of bed and WHAM and well, that I didn't expect.

Wonderful stuff!

EDIT: Hiccup and Toothless will return!!!!!

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=27706

Yes, I think I'd like to see these two return.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It's a series of books. I think there are currently four of them. Not surprised to see a sequel, but I'm definitely happy about it.

[Spaceman Spiff]

This was cute. I liked it. Baruchel's voice is unnecessairly nasal in this though.

Probably the best animated Dreamworks movie, if that says anything.

[Watashi]

This was cute. I liked it. Baruchel's voice is unnecessairly nasal in this though.

Probably the best animated Dreamworks movie, if that says anything.
Kung Fu Panda is by far and away the best CGI DreamWorks movie.

It gets better every time I see it.

[Qrazy]

It's a series of books. I think there are currently four of them. Not surprised to see a sequel, but I'm definitely happy about it.

1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon's Tale (2007)
6. A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon's Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon's Heart (2009)

After just reading a synopsis of the first book in the series however I have to say the plot of the film is almost completely different.

[eternity]

It was okay. Just okay.

[BuffaloWilder]

Surprising - as far as traditional squash-and-stretch animation goes, this is a fair bit better than a lot of Pixar's stuff, notwithstanding a couple of weird fits and starts in the narrative here and there. And oh my god, Jay Baruchel's voice is. Just. So. Annoying. Very nearly ruined it for me in parts, but everything else quickly makes up for it.

Otherwise, fantastic stuff - DeBlois and Sanders have a great eye for purely visual storytelling, which is something we need a lot more of in contemporary animation. That fight with the Big Daddy dragon at the end is some pulse-racing, visceral stuff.

[Spinal]

Here is family entertainment done right, an extraordinarily gripping story in which it seems that something new and exciting is around every corner. The film's central message of ingenuity, compassion and connection is elegantly told. The action scenes are exhilarating and the young hero's connection with the dragon never becomes overly precious. This was a delight.

[[ETM]]

Yeah, I really really liked this one. It seems as though it would have looked great in 3D, I wish I could have seen it in the theater.

[Watashi]

Of course Spinal would love this movie.

I'm still baffled by the love. I want to murder Jay Baruchel in his sleep.

[BuffaloWilder]

Of course Spinal would love this movie.

I'm still baffled by the love. I want to murder Jay Baruchel in his sleep.

You are - a dangerous, dangerous person.

:|:|:)

[Spinal]

I'm still baffled by the love.

You are in the extreme minority.

[Watashi]

You are in the extreme minority.
I know. :)

I think the film would work much better as a short film and with a better voice actor for the male lead.

[Spinal]

I wasn't crazy about the lead's voice acting. I'll give you that.

[[ETM]]

I wasn't crazy about the lead's voice acting. I'll give you that.

Indeed. I think the best he got from anyone was "didn't ruin the movie for me".

[Qrazy]

I'm not sure why Jay Baruchel's career has taken off so much lately.

[Spinal]

I'm not sure why Jay Baruchel's career has taken off so much lately.

He clearly sounded too old for the role. Not sure what they were thinking there.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm still baffled by the love. I want to murder Jay Baruchel in his sleep.

I'm sorta thinking that it's partly the anti-Pixar backlash. It's certainly a good movie, but I also don't think it's anything we haven't seen before, but since it's from Dreamworks who are usually dreadful, we give it that extra star for being a good flick and for cutting down on the 80s references.

And yeah, I also don't get what's special about Baruchel. As a pot smoking loser in broad comedies, he's ok, but he's just in everything now. He's pulling a beef, and I'm not liking it.

[Spinal]

I'm sorta thinking that it's partly the anti-Pixar backlash.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[transmogrifier]

I'm sorta thinking that it's partly the anti-Pixar backlash.

Um......what? This is the weirdest line of reasoning I've seen on here for a while.

[Spinal]

TOY STORY 3 - 20 out of 22
yay - eternity, watashi, Sxottlan, barty, number8, theplashybubbler, rowland, NickGlass, soitgoes, sycophant, Stanley, weepingguitar, Raiders, Ivan Drago, Boner M, rightforthemoment, Lazlo, Fezzik Grouchy, Bosco B Thug
nay - brightside, spinal


You and me, brightside. We are the backlash.

[Spaceman Spiff]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I actually wasn't being serious, just commenting at the lols from the Toy Story 3 thread. Maybe I should have added a smiley. :|

Oh well. Jay Baruchel should be in less movies though.

EDIT: hahaha! And I got rep out of that comment too! Great success!

[Spinal]

I actually wasn't being serious, just commenting at the lols from the Toy Story 3 thread. Maybe I should have added a smiley. :|

Oh well. Jay Baruchel should be in less movies though.


I am greatly relieved.

[Watashi]

How is **1/2 a nay anyway?

[Spaceman Spiff]

How is **1/2 a nay anyway?

I would nay a **1/2. Life's too short for movies under *** stars.

[Spinal]

How is **1/2 a nay anyway?

I didn't assign a 'nay'. E assigned it for me. Mixed would be more accurate.

[transmogrifier]

Pretty horrible voice-acting combined with completely unfunny comic relief from the group of trainees, offsetting an interesting premise and some nice animation work.

(Repost from Consensus Thread)

[MadMan]

Jay Baruchel is the annoying, lame combo of Michael Cera and Jesse Eisenberg. Especially since he's taking roles that neither of those two do anymore, as they've moved on to bigger and better movies. Since I only had to hear his voice and not look at his face (with a desire to punch it) in How to Train Your Dragon, I didn't mind him being in the movie. Its still one of the best movies I've seen from 2010, but I still have much left to view and out of my small sampling (only 20 movies) its been a weak year. At least not as good as 2009 was.

[[ETM]]

Baruchel stopped bothering me after a while, just like I had no problems with Larry the Cable Guy in Cars.

[Dukefrukem]

This was fantastic. Probably the best Dreamworks animation. I thought it was up there with Wall-E and Up.

[StanleyK]

It was okay. Just okay.


I'm still baffled by the love.

Gonna echo these two reactions. I don't see what there is to love about this movie, other than the fact that it looks really good, but frankly neat CGI doesn't do much for me these days. Story and humor were completely meh; of course it would end with a completely utopian integrated man-dragon society. Even Avatar didn't sugarcoat it this badly (for what it's worth, I thought this was far more entertaining than Cameron's film).

The best thing about it was Hiccup losing his leg at the end, linking him with Toothless' lost half-tail. I thought for sure there was gonna be a line like, "Hey, I'm like you now!" but they handled it fairly subtly.

[Dukefrukem]

The best thing about it was Hiccup losing his leg at the end, linking him with Toothless' lost half-tail. I thought for sure there was gonna be a line like, "Hey, I'm like you now!" but they handled it fairly subtly.

This is why it's so great.

Can't wait for the sequel.

[Spinal]

Story and humor were completely meh; of course it would end with a completely utopian integrated man-dragon society. Even Avatar didn't sugarcoat it this badly (for what it's worth, I thought this was far more entertaining than Cameron's film).



It's for children. Positive messages of tolerance and understanding are good to have in films for children.

[StanleyK]

This is why it's so great.

It's pretty good, but I wouldn't say it carries/salvages the movie entirely on its own.


It's for children. Positive messages of tolerance and understanding are good to have in films for children.

Plenty of kid flicks out there with this message; this one goes the Pocahontas route of having one character show everyone else the error of their ways and magically stopping intolerance forever. I mean, maybe the children eat it up, but to me, it's unchallenging and rote.

[Spinal]

Plenty of kid flicks out there with this message; this one goes the Pocahontas route of having one character show everyone else the error of their ways and magically stopping intolerance forever. I mean, maybe the children eat it up, but to me, it's unchallenging and rote.

Considering your condescension towards children's entertainment, your expectation that a mainstream Dreamworks family film will be challenging to adults, your reluctance to engage a common and important theme of entertainment pitched at young viewers and your willingness to ignore all of the film's humor, excitement and charm so that you can distill it down to an absurdly simplistic interpretation of the protagonist's journey, yeah, it's no wonder that this didn't work for you.

[StanleyK]

I don't see how I'm being condescending, or how it's wrong for me to expect any film to be challenging (maybe I should've said interesting) to me, mainstream Dreamworks or not. Also, I'm not ignoring the film's humor, excitement and charm; it doesn't have these things.

[Dukefrukem]

I don't see how I'm being condescending, or how it's wrong for me to expect any film to be challenging (maybe I should've said interesting) to me, mainstream Dreamworks or not. Also, I'm ignoring the film's humor, excitement and charm; it does have these things.

Fixed

[Morris Schæffer]

The score by Powell deserves a mention, especially the main theme during the test flight.

I too love this movie. Sure, its thematic depth isn't staggering, but I loved the bond between toothless and Hiccup. Their first tentative encounters are great to watch, but most of all, one could say that Vikings + Dragons = automatic win. And in this case, that is totally true. The CGI is certainly great, but the sheer scale is at times jaw-dropping...and even a bit scary. Humour-wise it wasn't laugh-out-loud funny, but I won't hold it against it. This is en epic, epic adventure. Who needs humour?