My quick rating - 7.5/10. On the windswept isle of Berk, dragons and Vikings have been sworn enemies for generations, locked in a cycle of fear and fire. Enter Hiccup (Mason Thames), a wiry misfit with a knack for defying tradition, who turns everything upside down when he befriends Toothless, the Night Fury every Viking has been taught to fear. This live-action retelling of the DreamWorks classic How to Train Your Dragon doesn’t just revive the tale, it reimagines it with a scope that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
The movie opens with a sweeping introduction to Berk and its dragon-ravaged world, pulling us straight into the clash of steel and flame. The CGI work is absolutely stunning, particularly the dragons, which balance realism with just enough fantasy to capture the magic. The early dragon fights, especially the battle with the monstrous queen dragon, are exhilarating, reminding me a lot of the scale and chaos of my recent VR sessions in Skydance’s Behemoth. Except here, instead of hacking beasts apart, the story is about understanding and bonding with them, which admittedly makes for a much warmer payoff.
Casting is spot-on. Mason Thames captures Hiccup’s awkwardness and ingenuity without leaning into caricature, while Nico Parker steps in as Astrid with grit and a sharp edge that perfectly balances her role as friend, rival, and eventual ally. Seeing her break away from The Last of Us into a different fantasy setting was a treat. Gerard Butler returns to Viking form, absolutely owning the role of Stoick, Hiccup’s overbearing father. His commanding presence adds both strength and humor, making the father-son conflict feel authentic and emotional rather than tropey.
Director Dean DeBlois, returning to helm this adaptation, clearly understands the heartbeat of the story. What makes the film soar (literally) is the way it handles its iconic moments. The flight training sequences, the romantic mid-air escape, and of course the unforgettable first flight scene between Hiccup and Toothless, are breathtakingly choreographed and backed by John Powell’s soaring score. The music isn’t just background; it’s a narrative voice all its own, carrying the emotional weight of discovery, loss, and triumph.
Visually, the film is jaw-dropping. Berk feels lived-in, weathered, and authentic, while the dragons blend seamlessly into the rugged Viking landscapes. Thanks to Bill Pope, the fire-lit night battles against the Alpha dragon showcase the perfect marriage of practical set design and CGI wizardry.
I went in with mild expectations—this is, after all, a live-action remake of a beloved “kids movie.” But by the time the credits rolled, I was surprised at how much it worked on me. The relationships feel genuine, the themes of empathy and understanding ring loudly, and the spectacle is pure cinematic joy. If I had one complaint, it’s only that my darker instincts wished the dragons went full scorched-earth on the Vikings at least once—graphic carnage isn’t exactly in the kids’ menu, though.
In short: How to Train Your Dragon is a faithful yet invigorated retelling that doesn’t just ride nostalgia—it earns its wings with heart, spectacle, and craft. Even for skeptics, this one is worth the flight.
This one is on Amazon, along with these streamers for theater pricing.
https://jackmeat.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-2025/
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