Alex Moss EditorThere is something mildly depressing about studios realising the box office earnings they can make from remaking, almost shot for shot, their animated properties. Disney has been doing it for some time but it seems other studios are catching onto the fact they already own a highly recognisable brand they can continue to cash-in on and endlessly refresh. So it should come as no surprise that one of the best animated films in the past few decades is getting a live-action refresh in the form of How To Train Your Dragon.
If you have seen the original 2010 film based on the books by Cressida Cowell nothing has changed. We are in the land of Berk, a viking settlement that has one big issue; they are swarmed by dragons which attack their town and take their livestock. While head of the clan Stoick (Gerald Butler) fights the dragons, his son Hiccup (Mason Thames) tries to invent ways of taking the scaly fire-breathers down. That is until one day Hiccup captures a lethal Night Fury dragon who turns out to be less dangerous than Hiccup had been taught to believe. As the bond between Hiccup and his new dragon friend Toothless develops so their worlds will collide.
Unlike most live-action retreads of their animated originals, How To Train Your Dragon is directed by the same filmmaker who directed all three of the animated films; Dean DeBlois. As such there is clearly a loving affinity with the source material and it is this that shines brightest in this iteration of How To Train Your Dragon. DeBlois’ affection for Hiccup and Toothless is infectious. With every moment of bonding, every exhilarating swoop and dive Hiccup and Toothless make together we feel like we are part of their blossoming friendship.
Where this live-action version also excels is in bringing an animated world to realistic life. Disney is in the habit of simply dropping real people into their animated worlds. DeBlois has kept all his designs the same but there is a distinct Avatar feeling here. That these dragons co-exist in the same space as their human companions. Indeed the flight scenes in particular are reminiscent of James Cameron’s flight scenes with the Na’vi and their airbourne companions the Ikran.
The film is at its best in these aerial sequences. When Hiccup and Toothless become one and soar high above the clouds. And this is in no small part thanks to John Powell’s brilliant score. Essentially the same score from the animated film – which is hugely welcome – it is the kind of soundtrack that elevates everything it touches. So much so that when the film does begin to feel all too familiar to what you’ve seen in the animated version you know the next great Powell accompanied set-piece is just around the corner, meaning you forgive the ‘seen it all before’ vibes and sit back and bask in some moments of genuine beauty.
The cast are all very good at bringing cartoons to life. Mason Thames and Nico Parker – as Astrid – in particular bring their characters to loving life here. Butler feels like he is and always has been Stoick. Nick Frost as Gobber is a great bit of casting but if anything you feel as if he’s slightly underplaying the character. He’s the kind of character that you’d almost like to be more of a comedic relief that feels like a missed opportunity given the casting.
If you love the animated film this How To Train Your Dragon will do little to diminish that affection. If you’ve never seen the animation then the chances are you will be enthralled by this family adventure. So while How To Train Your Dragon is a hugely enjoyable and affectionate live-action retelling of a beloved animated film you are left wondering if it’s necessary.
