By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA-- Hiccup and his loyal dragon Toothless fly back onto the big screen in the visually stunning live-action remake,
"How to Train Your Dragon."
This past March,
N2Entertainment.net got a first look at the film during
CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
The fun-filled family adventure is based on the beloved book series by
Cressida Cowell and is directed, co-written, and co-produced by
Dean DeBlois, best known for 2010's animated trilogy "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Lilo & Stitch" (2002).
While much of this updated story stays true to the original film, it still soars thanks to its breathtaking cinematography and a charismatic cast, highlighted by
Gerard Butler, who reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, the formidable chieftain of Berk and Hiccup's father from the animated series.
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is brought to life by
Mason Thames ("The Black Phone"), who delivers a performance brimming with empathy and youthful determination.
The question remains: Can dragons and humans peacefully coexist?
While every inhabitant of Berk is expected to play their part in battling these fierce creatures, Hiccup begins to question everything he's been taught. Alongside Astrid (a terrific Nico Parker, "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy"), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell, TV's "Nightsleeper"), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison, "Godzilla vs. Kong"), Ruffnut (Bronwyn James, "Mickey 17") and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn, "My Oxford Year"), Hiccup trains under the gruff but lovable Gobber (Nick Frost, "Black Cab"), Berk's blacksmith and Stoick's longtime friend.
Though he longs to follow in the footsteps of his brave and commanding father, Hiccup soon realizes he is cut from a different cloth. That becomes clear when a dragon trap, he sets injures one of the beasts. Faced with the opportunity to kill it and finally prove himself, Hiccup instead makes a courageous choice, he spares the dragon and nurses it back to health.
This act of compassion sparks a transformative friendship with the dragon he names Toothless, one that ultimately challenges the very foundation of his society's beliefs.
Their growing bond becomes the emotional core of the film, delivering some of its most poignant moments. Watching Toothless slowly begin to trust Hiccup--especially in a beautifully choreographed, wordless scene where the two share a quiet connection--is heartwarming.
Thames captures Hiccup's inner conflict with subtlety and anchors the movie in sincerity. In addition, "How to Train Your Dragon" showcases all the magic and wonder of its predecessor while still feeling fresh and vibrant. With its thrilling action sequences and a message that champions empathy over fear, this live-action remake is a soaring tale of friendship, bravery, and breaking free from the expectations that can sometimes bind us.
Whether you are revisiting Berk or discovering it for the first time, "How to Train Your Dragon" is a fantasy filled flight that's well worth taking.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
