The third, and most likely last, How to Train Your Dragon film comes this weekend. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a fitting ending to a much-loved series. We have been huge Dragon friends since the first movie premiered. Big Guy was instantly obsessed and requested “Hiccup hair” at every haircut for at least two years when he was little and he dressed up as Hiccup on more than one occasion. The boys have seen every TV show in the franchise and each of the movies multiple times. David scored us advanced screener tickets a couple of weeks ago to see the latest installment and I’ve been meaning to tell you about it but haven’t gotten around to it until now. You guys! It was wonderful!
Our family dressed as a Viking family several years ago (Big guy was Hiccup and David was Stoic. Little Man and I were anonymous Berkians)
Big Guy as Hiccup and one of his best buddies (who was Optimus Prime)
First off, before we get any further, I must warn you that this is a crying movie. I cried as much watching Hiccup and the gang as I did in Toy Story 3 – though probably not as much as I cry in Armageddon (What can I say? I have a special place in my heart for late 90s Ben Affleck).
The boys with their Build-A-Bear Toothless stuffed animals.
Anyway, back to the film… Aside from T.J. Miller, all the original voice actors are back, including Gerard Butler who voices Stoic in flashbacks. Speaking of flashbacks… oh my goodness, flashback Hiccup might just be the cutest animated character ever. The story is predictable and uses some pretty obvious foreshadowing that most adults are going to notice, so the ending won’t come as too much of a surprise. I can’t really say too much about the storyline without spoiling the film, but I will say that the ending is fitting to the series (and there is just enough wiggle room to allow for another film if they really wanted). The animation is beautiful and there is enough action to keep the littlest kids invested in the story. The antagonist (Grimmel – voiced by F. Murray Abraham) is formidable and keeps tensions high. The humor can be juvenile, but it’s a kid’s movie so that is to be expected. Toothless meets his match in the new dragon, which is appropriately called a Light Fury. There are also adorable baby dragons (including one who gets taken into battle).
Waiting for the advanced screening to start.
It was a sweet film and our whole family enjoyed it. If you liked the other Dragons films, you will enjoy this one as well. We are already anxiously awaiting the DVD.
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