The "How to Train Your Dragon" films are two of my favourite films of all time. The charming story about a boy and his best friend, in a fable about respecting nature and each other. I was waiting the bones of 5 years for "The Hidden World," and it personally didn't disappoint.
The film takes place a year after the events of HTTYD2. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is now the chief of Berk after the death of his father, while his best friend, Toothless the Night Fury (vocalizations designed by Randy Thom), is the alpha of all the island's dragons, since he bested the Bewilderbeast to protect Hiccup. Berk is becoming overcrowded with new dragons that are being rescued by the young chief, much to the growing concern of the villagers, especially the paranoid Gobber (Craig Ferguson) and Hiccup's fiance, Astrid (America Ferrera). Hiccup, too attached to Toothless to even consider the dragons may be safer in the wild, takes heed from the stories his late father, Stoick (Gerard Butler, in flashback), about a mysterious Hidden World from which dragons hail. Hiccup's plans to move his village to the mythical world are jettisoned with the arrival of Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), who has killed all the Night Furies, bar one, and the alabaster Light Fury, who ruffles young Toothless' wings. The two friends are shown their true destinies, in an adventure that shows the struggles of finding one's feet, having good faith and loving enough to let loved ones go.
The first thing to note is that the film isn't as epic as HTTYD2. In fact, it is much more on the level of the first film, where it's a deceptively simple story told in a big way. The reason why the film works is due to the time it takes to show the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, as well as Toothless and the Light Fury, through subtle animations and wordless actions. It feels incredibly authentic . One can see the internal struggles of both characters through their expressions alone, from Hiccup beginning to realize that Toothless may be safer in the wild, to Toothless being town between his mate and best friend. This leads to an emotional crescendo of a climax, where the inevitable end is met, not because the characters want it, but simply because no other choice is viable. It's heartbreaking, and you can feel the pain seeping from the characters. Toothless is even more of a star in this film, and seeing him struggle with his tame and feral side is enthralling, so when he finally accepts his place as king of dragons, you can't help but feel both proud and sad at the same time. The film masterfully takes you on this rollercoaster of self doubt and realization, to the point where you feel as upset as our heroes, but are at peace with the outcome.
The themes of nature and nurture are in constant flux, as shown through Hiccup trying to help his best friend in wooing his new lady love, to Toothless noticing that he needs to fly alone without Hiccup for the first time in 6 years, and how conflicted it makes him feel. The elements of respecting nature, loving one another and independence are tantamount, as is the ultimate theme: love and loss. This film is the stages of grief, personified, and it is through the ultimate acts of adoration, loyalty and sacrifice that we see this trilogy come to a near perfect conclusion.
Yes, I said near perfect, for it has a few blips. The pacing, while not horrendous, does suffer from being hodge podge in places, especially when the villain is on screen (or his goons, rather). Another aspect that can sometimes miss is the humour; a lot of it works, such as Tuffnut's (Justin Rupple, replacing T.J Miller) pep talks, anything with Toothless and his mate and Gobber, Ruffnut (Kristen Wiig) being the underappreciated legend that she is and all the subtle humour. However, there's the issue of Tuffnut's fake beard, and Snotlout (Jonah Hill) trying to impress Valka (Cate Blanchette). While there are one or two moments of these jokes working, they largely fall flat. There's also the issue of Grimmel teleporting to New Berk just as the Furies arrive, but then again, we have baby dragons being ridden in 2, and Toothless suddenly controlling flight in 1 when he spooks Astrid. So, it comes full circle. Some take issue with New Berk's height, and with the new prosthetic tail fin. I don't, to be honest. I can suspend disbelief in those regards, especially for the fin, as it'd be incredibly insulting to those with disabilities for an organic tail to suddenly grow after 6 years.
The villain is the perfect antithesis for Hiccup, but is bogged down by lackeys that could've been eradicated. I loved him and his talks with Hiccup, but the presence of the warlords just irked me.
The animation is beyond amazing. They updated the character designs wonderfully, the texture and lighting is gorgeous. It is easily some of the best CGI I've ever seen. The music is also sublime The parts with Toothless and Light Fury and Toothless have zero dialogue, and play like a David Attenborough documentary. I didn't want any scene to end, only to be extended (save for the Snotlout and lackey parts!)
Of course, the main heart of the series still stands; Hiccup and Toothless' bond is the cement that binds this trilogy, and it is no different here. While they spend a lot of the film apart, the connection they have is only strengthened by the events of the film, so when the ending and epilogue come around, you can only cry and cheer that the friendship has most certainly stood the test of time. It is indeed, the friendship of a lifetime, and this film shows this just as much as before.
Overall. I was delighted with HTTYD3. It's a beautiful conclusion to DreamWork's benchmark series. While some of the jokes don't land and the pacing is a little off, the character relationships and themes are handled perfectly. It is an amazing film, both visually and thematically, and is a wonderful capper to my favourite animated series. I can't wait to own the Blu-Ray, and analyse all three films together. It makes me beyond elated to say that Hiccup and Toothless managed to stick the landing.
9.3-4/10
The film takes place a year after the events of HTTYD2. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is now the chief of Berk after the death of his father, while his best friend, Toothless the Night Fury (vocalizations designed by Randy Thom), is the alpha of all the island's dragons, since he bested the Bewilderbeast to protect Hiccup. Berk is becoming overcrowded with new dragons that are being rescued by the young chief, much to the growing concern of the villagers, especially the paranoid Gobber (Craig Ferguson) and Hiccup's fiance, Astrid (America Ferrera). Hiccup, too attached to Toothless to even consider the dragons may be safer in the wild, takes heed from the stories his late father, Stoick (Gerard Butler, in flashback), about a mysterious Hidden World from which dragons hail. Hiccup's plans to move his village to the mythical world are jettisoned with the arrival of Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), who has killed all the Night Furies, bar one, and the alabaster Light Fury, who ruffles young Toothless' wings. The two friends are shown their true destinies, in an adventure that shows the struggles of finding one's feet, having good faith and loving enough to let loved ones go.
The first thing to note is that the film isn't as epic as HTTYD2. In fact, it is much more on the level of the first film, where it's a deceptively simple story told in a big way. The reason why the film works is due to the time it takes to show the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, as well as Toothless and the Light Fury, through subtle animations and wordless actions. It feels incredibly authentic . One can see the internal struggles of both characters through their expressions alone, from Hiccup beginning to realize that Toothless may be safer in the wild, to Toothless being town between his mate and best friend. This leads to an emotional crescendo of a climax, where the inevitable end is met, not because the characters want it, but simply because no other choice is viable. It's heartbreaking, and you can feel the pain seeping from the characters. Toothless is even more of a star in this film, and seeing him struggle with his tame and feral side is enthralling, so when he finally accepts his place as king of dragons, you can't help but feel both proud and sad at the same time. The film masterfully takes you on this rollercoaster of self doubt and realization, to the point where you feel as upset as our heroes, but are at peace with the outcome.
The themes of nature and nurture are in constant flux, as shown through Hiccup trying to help his best friend in wooing his new lady love, to Toothless noticing that he needs to fly alone without Hiccup for the first time in 6 years, and how conflicted it makes him feel. The elements of respecting nature, loving one another and independence are tantamount, as is the ultimate theme: love and loss. This film is the stages of grief, personified, and it is through the ultimate acts of adoration, loyalty and sacrifice that we see this trilogy come to a near perfect conclusion.
Yes, I said near perfect, for it has a few blips. The pacing, while not horrendous, does suffer from being hodge podge in places, especially when the villain is on screen (or his goons, rather). Another aspect that can sometimes miss is the humour; a lot of it works, such as Tuffnut's (Justin Rupple, replacing T.J Miller) pep talks, anything with Toothless and his mate and Gobber, Ruffnut (Kristen Wiig) being the underappreciated legend that she is and all the subtle humour. However, there's the issue of Tuffnut's fake beard, and Snotlout (Jonah Hill) trying to impress Valka (Cate Blanchette). While there are one or two moments of these jokes working, they largely fall flat. There's also the issue of Grimmel teleporting to New Berk just as the Furies arrive, but then again, we have baby dragons being ridden in 2, and Toothless suddenly controlling flight in 1 when he spooks Astrid. So, it comes full circle. Some take issue with New Berk's height, and with the new prosthetic tail fin. I don't, to be honest. I can suspend disbelief in those regards, especially for the fin, as it'd be incredibly insulting to those with disabilities for an organic tail to suddenly grow after 6 years.
The villain is the perfect antithesis for Hiccup, but is bogged down by lackeys that could've been eradicated. I loved him and his talks with Hiccup, but the presence of the warlords just irked me.
The animation is beyond amazing. They updated the character designs wonderfully, the texture and lighting is gorgeous. It is easily some of the best CGI I've ever seen. The music is also sublime The parts with Toothless and Light Fury and Toothless have zero dialogue, and play like a David Attenborough documentary. I didn't want any scene to end, only to be extended (save for the Snotlout and lackey parts!)
Of course, the main heart of the series still stands; Hiccup and Toothless' bond is the cement that binds this trilogy, and it is no different here. While they spend a lot of the film apart, the connection they have is only strengthened by the events of the film, so when the ending and epilogue come around, you can only cry and cheer that the friendship has most certainly stood the test of time. It is indeed, the friendship of a lifetime, and this film shows this just as much as before.
Overall. I was delighted with HTTYD3. It's a beautiful conclusion to DreamWork's benchmark series. While some of the jokes don't land and the pacing is a little off, the character relationships and themes are handled perfectly. It is an amazing film, both visually and thematically, and is a wonderful capper to my favourite animated series. I can't wait to own the Blu-Ray, and analyse all three films together. It makes me beyond elated to say that Hiccup and Toothless managed to stick the landing.
9.3-4/10