HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON *****
Dir: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders (PG, 98 mins)
words: André Bonifay
From the opening sequence to the closing credits, How To Train Your Dragon is a stunning spectacle of quality animation, beautiful imagery and simple, effective storytelling with a resonant meaning hidden behind flashes of brilliance.
How To Train Your Dragon follows young Viking boy Hiccup, his tribe and their battle with the local wildlife that frequently raids their village. Typically, Hiccup is different to the rest of his tribe and is a disappointment to his father, who is determined to wipe out the dragon pests, and we are treated to this struggle through an engaging opening battle which sets the bar for the animation and suits the 3D cinema technology perfectly.
Although there is always an element of predictability with the storyline of child-orientated films, the linear narrative does not take anything away from the enjoyment and I found myself laughing out loud alongside audience members young and old. Unlike its studio brother Shrek, this isn’t an all-out comedy riot, but the moments of comedy compliment the more serious aspects and help to keep the film engaging.
For How To Train Your Dragon to be a success, an obvious aspect Dreamworks needed to focus on was the dragons themselves, and it’s clear that each species is meticulously planned and has been brought to life through vivid colours and impressive facial expressions which convey their moods perfectly. However, there are more than just dragons on show and Gerard Butler instils the passion of 300 into his voicing and proves to be the perfect selection as the leader of the Viking tribe. Jay Baruchel is also brilliantly cast as the lead role Hiccup, bringing compassion and adding authenticity to his character.
How To Train Your Dragon is a wonderfully created family friendly adventure which promised to entertain this Easter. The only problem with this film is that you’ll have join the back of the queue to see it again once you leave the cinema.