How to Train Your Dragon (2025) – A Familiar Flight with Real-World Wings
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
I just walked out of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon and I have to say—it felt like reliving a cherished memory through a different lens. The film is a near frame-for-frame remake of the 2010 animated classic, and while that might sound redundant on paper, in execution it worked surprisingly well, at least for the first hour.
Watching it, I was struck by the craftsmanship. The Viking world felt tangible, raw, and textured. You could almost smell the damp wood and sea salt of Berk. The dragons—especially Toothless—were brought to life with a mix of practical puppetry and CGI so convincing that I occasionally forgot this wasn’t an animated film. Toothless still manages to express more emotion than most human characters in recent big-budget blockbusters.
Mason Thames as Hiccup grows into the role across the movie. He carries the awkwardness, intelligence, and ultimate courage of the original character with a sincere charm. Nico Parker as Astrid also holds her ground—though I did find their chemistry just a little muted compared to the animated version. And yes, hearing Gerard Butler reprise Stoick was oddly comforting.
But here’s where it got tricky. About midway through, I started asking myself, “Why does this feel… flat?” Maybe because every beat was expected. Every twist, every emotional moment—none of it surprised me. The original had the luxury of being fresh. This version, despite being visually upgraded, played it too safe. It never really dared to reinterpret or deepen the story for live-action. It mimicked brilliance rather than building on it.
That said, the flying sequences were breathtaking. The first time Hiccup and Toothless soar together, the shot composition and orchestral swell genuinely gave me goosebumps. The final battle scene was also epic, with the added realism bringing higher stakes—even though I already knew the outcome.
In a nutshell, this isn’t a reinvention. It’s a high-fidelity tribute. And if you go in expecting that, you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re looking for something new from a franchise that once set the sky ablaze with originality, you might leave feeling grounded.
