Movie Brew: How to Train Your Dragon
In the small Viking village of Berk, where humans fight to take down the race of dragons they believe to be terrorizing them, Hiccup, a bright-eyed teenager with an affinity for inventing; just wants to fit in, to prove his worth and follow his tribe’s long-standing tradition: to become a dragon slayer. However, after one of his contraptions takes down a Night Fury, the rarest dragon of them all, Hiccup soon learns there may be more to these vicious beasts than he’s been led to believe. But what if this prejudice-defying secret stepped into the light? Will the Vikings finally realize the error of their ways, or will Hiccup be outcasted by his own family? Hiccup, Astrid, and the gang are back in this remastered high stakes battle of right and wrong, bloodlines and moral lines, and dragons racing the clock to save not only themselves but the Vikings residing on Berk.
Before I dive into the incredible performances by this amazing cast, let’s take a walk behind the scenes. Lindsay Pugh heard the director say “I need Vikings” and took that to heart. Her use of furs, leather, and metal armor took what would have been simple medieval era clothing and raised it into a distinct style of dress that resembles the clothing worn by true Gall-Gaedil. Yet, Pugh’s genius doesn’t end there; her choice to make Stoik’s and Gothi’s clothing bolder and more extravagant was the perfect way to single them out in a room full of Vikings as the leaders and strength behind the tribe. Not only was Pugh able to create an entirely new costume vision for this remake that separates it from it’s animated predecessors, she was able to do it in a way that still had subtle nods to its origins and stayed true to the original film we know and love.
Let’s not forget about this incredible set! Filmed primarily in Belfast, Northern Ireland with some parts filmed in Los Angeles, California; the set and art departments pulled out all the stops to bring this fantasy film to life. From the beautiful, rolling green hills to the cinematic flight scenes, this entire film is surrounded by a deep sense of wonder and excitement. Every single moment felt as though it could have been happening right outside your door; for how well blended and cohesive everything was. John Powell’s return as the composer and his stunning recreations of music from the original animated films further brought this remake alive. Epic ballads as Hiccup soars through the skies, heart wrenching piano when it seems our beloved heroes may not make it in time, and cheerful, victorious music as the final scenes play out all bring this film from spectacular to truly cinematic.
As for the performances of this wonderfully diverse cast, every character shines through in their own unique way. From our clumsy hero and spunky heroine, to the various Vikings residing on Berk; every cast member had their chance to blow us away. Despite the controversy behind her casting, Nico Parker showed up and gave us the most beautifully accurate Astrid any How to Train Your Dragon fans could have asked for. Her spunky attitude and smart mouthed remarks are the perfect balance to her insane emotional depth in this film. Alongside Thames’ Hiccup, she bloomed into an incredibly well rounded character. Speaking of Mason Thames, if someone had asked me a week ago who I thought would perfectly embody Hiccup’s character, I’m not sure I would have said Thames. Yet, 5 minutes into this film, I knew he’d stolen my heart. He portrayed Hiccup marvelously and added his only little spin to it; right from the first scene with Hiccup you can see how much Thames relates to his character. His expressions and tone in the scenes with Gerard Butler’s Stoik are downright heart-shattering and his chemistry with Parker’s Astrid and the rest of the crew is excellent. Howell, Dennison, James, and Trevaldwyn all brought something fun (and funny) to the table. James’ and Trevaldwyn’s hilarious depiction of Ruffnut and Tuffnut completely took me by surprise. They had phenomenal chemistry together and did so well I forgot they were even supposed to be twins! Howell and Dennison perfectly embody their polar opposite characters. Howell’s tough guy act paired with Dennison’s nerdy awkwardness was the best blend of hilarious and relatable. And don’t even get me started on Butler as the rough and rebel Chief Stoik and Frost as our beloved teacher Gobber; these two had me laughing 5 seconds before I burst into tears. This entire cast was so beautifully chosen and their on-screen connections were wonderful
Overall, Dreamworks and Universal were able to bring to life a near perfect recreation of the animated film so many grew up with. Filled with whimsy and excitement, this film takes the cake for best live action remake. So buckle up dragon riders, because How to Train Your Dragon is ready to take you on a wild ride, this June 13th.
5 Night Furies out of 5
Thank you Allied and Dreamworks Pictures for the advanced screening.
Cast: Mason Thames; Nico Parker; Gerard Butler; Nick Frost; Gabriel Howell; Julian Dennison; Bronwyn James; Harry Trevaldwyn; Murray McArthur; Peter Serafinowicz; Naomi Wirthner; Ruth Codd; Andrea Ware; Anna Leong Brophy; Marcus Onilude; Pete Selwood; Daniel-John Williams; Kate Kennedy; Selina Jones; Nick Cornwall
Costumer Designer: Lindsay Pugh
Composer: John Powell
Producers: Dreamworks Pictures & Universal Studios
Written by: Dean DeBlois; Cressida Cowell; William Davies; Chris Sanders
Director: Dean DeBlois
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