When Dean DeBlois’ animated feature adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s book How to Train Your Dragon leapt onto theater screens in 2010, I was a month away from writing about films. Also, I was about to become a father for the first time; since then, we’ve had one more child, and both have grown up watching this animated film, the two feature film sequels, and the Netflix shows that followed. Somewhere along the way, I became a fan of this franchise on my own and would find myself watching these movies every now and then, even when the kids weren’t around. I dunno—something hits me just right about this story of two misfit souls finding their place in the world with each other. And let’s face it: Toothless is every bit the friend you wish you had, either as a child or even in adulthood.
This film series means a lot to me personally, so it was with a modicum of trepidation that I went into DeBlois’ new live-action remake of his own animated film. How could he possibly refabricate or top the magic he gave us already? Answer: by letting the story, visuals, and in-the-flesh actors speak for themselves. While certain touchstone images have been meticulously recreated in the live-action domain, this film’s transition from animation to live-action is letter-perfect. Each new actor—and the sole returning actor—puts their own spin on these characters to make this jump with all of the original film’s themes, spirit, and vibrance intact, carried forward into the tangible and real. Well, as real as this fantasy world can be.
No new material has been added, nor has anything major been deleted; this is, for all intents and purposes, a near shot-for-shot remake, with the actors chosen to hew as close to the original characters in look and tone. Mason Thames steps into Jay Baruchel’s boots as our hero, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, whose developing friendship with a dragon—a Night Fury called Toothless—is our narrative thrust. Thames adopts the timid and diffident posture and voice of this young man who’s woefully out of step with his fellow Viking countryfolk, being more forward-thinking and gentle compared to the “To survive, you must FIGHT AND KILL EVERYTHING” mentality engendered in the village populace. His brilliant feature debut performance in The Black Phone heralded his ability to bring us with him into his character’s world, and he brings his talents to bear upon the unsure, awkward Hiccup, blazing a solid trail from outcast to hero.
He doesn’t even fit in with his peers—burgeoning warrior Astrid (Nico Parker), the knowledgeable but nerdy Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), wannabe alpha Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), and twins Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn). While they’re showing up for the glory of dragon killing and defending their home, Hiccup just wants to live his life and make things a little easier, relying on his own (rarely-working) inventions over brawn to fell dragons, but it’s not enough. Truth be told, he’s not enough in the villagers’ eyes; from blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) to Hiccup’s own dad, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), everyone sees him as the weak link in the chain, the last person anyone would want to be stuck with in a fight. Or at dinner. Or walking down the street.
But it’s Hiccup who changes the course of their lives forever, as he’s just used one of his creations to capture a dreaded Night Fury, the most destructive and feared dragon the villagers of Berk have ever gone up against. Night Furies aren’t even shown in their dragon reference book, as nobody’s survived an encounter with one. These aren’t just your regular fire-breathing variety; they fire purple energy blasts and are capable of incredible speeds. So, of course, no one believes Hiccup when he claims to have knocked one out of the sky during the chaotic opening battle. And when Hiccup goes to see where he landed, an unexpected friendship eventually forms, thus beginning a progression of walls coming down and connections being made.
As I said, nothing important has changed from the 2010 original; every bit of Hiccup and Toothless’ discovery of each other is still here, with certain shots recreated faithfully and with care. The movie’s heart is formed out of their friendship, and DeBlois has successfully recaptured this vital component with Thames at the helm. Riding alongside him, Nico Parker brings a well-worn intensity to Astrid, the young warrior looking to make her name as a possible successor to Stoick’s reign as chieftain. She steps into this role with confidence, making her own mark and imbuing Astrid with purpose and strength. Thames and Parker create a rapport similar to what happens between a no-nonsense high school jock saddled with having to put up with the class nerd, and both of them ratchet up magnetic, willful performances that redefine our memories of the animated characters so wonderfully voiced by Jay Baruchel and America Ferrara.
The only actor to return from the original is a spot-on match for his animated counterpart. Gerard Butler has all the rough-and-tumble good looks, valiant swagger, and brutish force to match the bellowing tones he first imparted to Stoick 15 years ago. His presence is a surprising delight, straddling several lines between being a gruff leader, Hiccup’s disappointed father, a man trying to protect his own, and a bit of a buffoon as he tries to cover up his or Hiccup’s shortcomings. While the abilities inherent in animation can contort faces and gestures bound only by the imagination, Butler comes off as a human special effect, whirling deftly between the many expressions he has to keep up with as he reacts to each situation, pulling off an acting magic trick that never falters.
Yeah, Toothless is never going to exist outside the digital realm, but great pains have been taken to make this wondrous creature seem photorealistic. Any fears of this beloved character getting the short end of the stick can be allayed, as Toothless is just as gorgeously recreated as the rest of the film. Dean DeBlois has shepherded How to Train Your Dragon through three magnificent animated theatrical features (click for reviews of the second and third), so would there be any doubt that his pivoting this franchise into live-action would be similarly excellent? Thankfully, he erases every uncertainty with this lovely, heartwarming recreation that fills us with wonder a second time. And if you want to hear from the film’s target demographic, here’s what my 12-year-old daughter Ari (pictured alongside this paragraph) wishes to say:
I liked how it captured the essence of the original movie. Nothing can beat the original, but it got very close to it. The actors played their parts well, and the physical sets were phenomenal—I liked how faithfully they recreated the dragon arena. The film’s themes of persistence in the face of adversity and acknowledging and appreciating differences are still strong. I would definitely see it again (Dad, you’re gonna get it on 4K, right?), and I can already feel it will become one of my comfort movies.
p.s. As a fan of Edgar Wright’s “Spaced,” it’s nice to see Mike Watt and Duane Benzies reunited.
