How to Train Your Dragon Brings Magic to Live Action
Since Disney began remaking its animated classics into live-action films starting with Cinderella in 2015, DreamWorks has decided it was time for a live-action adaptation of its very own, a decade later. This would be a live-action remake of DreamWorks’ beloved classic, How to Train Your Dragon.
For me, live-action remakes of animated films have always been hit or miss. I’ve never loved them or hated them. However, with this movie, I was going in completely blind. I never saw the original animated film from 2010, and I purposely chose not to watch the original movie beforehand. I wanted to see this live-action adaptation with fresh eyes and to see if it stood out on its own, without any attachment to the original film.
When I entered the theater, I had no idea I was about to fall in love with this movie. By the time the credits rolled, I was genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and DreamWorks seemed to have cracked the live-action formula right from the start, making a truly fantastic film.
The story centers around the connection between Hiccup and Toothless, and bringing Toothless into live-action was no small task. Toothless is one of the most beloved and recognizable creatures in the DreamWorks World and has a distinct look that the filmmakers couldn’t afford to get wrong…and they didn’t.
Toothless looked incredible in this movie, faithfully resembling his animated counterpart. He seamlessly fit into the live-action world while retaining the unique charm of the original. The same care was extended to all the dragons, giving them a look that was unique enough to tell them apart, and giving them different traits as well
I did appreciate that they stayed true to the original cartoon-like designs of Toothless and the other dragons from the animated movie, and did not go the route of making the dragons appear “realistic”. By realistic, I mean they avoided making the dragons overly gritty or menacing, like something out of House of the Dragon.
A boy and his pet is a story that has been told in cinemas for years, starting with films like Lassie and Old Yeller, even movies like E.T. and Lilo and Stitch (which was also written and directed by Dean DeBlois)
The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is such a heartwarming story, and the role Hiccup was perfectly played by Mason Thames known for his lead role in the horror film The Black Phone (who I didn’t recognize at first) and set to star in its sequel later in 2025 Being a teenager himself, he perfectly captured the awkwardness of a clumsy and inquisitive teen trying to become a Viking and discovering his unique talent for dragon training. His portrayal reminded me a bit of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, with a similar blend of vulnerability and determination.
A significant portion of the film focuses on Hiccup’s journey to train his dragon, and you go on this journey alongside him. Just like Hiccup, you’re learning and discovering new things about Toothless, making it feel as though you’re training the dragon yourself. However, one scene that stood out to me, which made me love this movie, is the one featured in all the promos and trailers. Hiccup cautiously approaches Toothless, extending his hand in a gesture of trust. The dragon finally reciprocates by allowing Hiccup to place a hand on his head. This was performed with little to no dialogue and used visual storytelling to create an incredibly powerful moment.
I also have to mention that, while this film is about a boy and his pet dragon, the real heart of the story lies in the relationship between Hiccup and his father, Stoick the Vast. Played by Gerard Butler, Stoick easily could have been a one-note “parents just don’t understand their kid” type of dad. But this character does show a lot of depth, and is dad trying to connect and do what’s best for his son, and even grows along in the movie. Also, to my surprise, Butler was the voice actor for Stoick in the original animated movie, a detail I discovered during my research.
This movie will make you feel emotional. There have been moments watching the movie, where I teared up. The flying scenes are also breathtaking; it makes you feel like you are flying with them. That alone makes the IMAX ticket worth every penny, especially when paired with John Powell’s stunning musical score.
As I write this review, I’ve realized what sets this live-action remake apart from its predecessors: This film had so much of the heart of the original film because of the care put into it by the original co-director, Dean DeBlois. Who returned as director to bring this beloved story to life once again.
How to Train Your Dragon has made me a fan, and I’m now ready for the future live-action remakes of the next films in the series. This is a movie you need to experience when it hits Theaters on June 13th. I give this film a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to watch the original animated movies and…maybe buy a Toothless plushie.”
Staff Writer & Media Critic for Big Gold Belt Media: NYC Actress | Twitch Streamer | Artist