I love Dragons! I think it's essential for me to make that clear right out of the gate. To me, Dragons are the one thing that almost every culture in the world has in common, considering how there are so many different interpretations of the concept. They are the perfect embodiment of human curiosity, imagination, and the wonder of the unknown. Rather or not they ever actually existed is another discussion entirely, but that does not matter to me anyway. What matters to me is the idea: the notion that there is something that unites us strangely and tangibly that we can't always explain. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that I have always been a fan of the Train your Dragon series. Not just because of the remarkable mythological creatures, but because they have been some of the best stories about them and their impact on the human spirit. While I am sad to see this series come to an end (at least this particular storyline), I am happy that it did so with such a satisfying and heartwarming execution, thereby creating a rare and beautiful perfect trilogy of films.
For those of you who may have not yet seen this series, How to Train Your Dragon is an animated film from Dreamworks released back in 2010. It follows a young Viking boy named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who has a talent for building things and lives in a remote village, known as Berk, that is regularly attacked by Dragons. As such, people are expected to not only know how to hunt and kill Dragons but are just taught to hate them and never to assume anything good can come from them. That is until Hiccup discovers a mighty Dragon referred to as a Night Fury in the woods with a broken tail. As such, the Dragon can no longer fly on its own. Rather than try and kill the helpless creature, Hiccup decides to help the Dragon, whom he names Toothless for reasons you'll discover when you watch the first film (which I highly recommend you do anyway), by building him a new tail as well as a mechanism for riding. Together, they form a powerful and ever-lasting bond that will change their lives forever. Once more, it is through their friendship that Hiccup discovers the real reasons for the regular attacks on their village. Which, without spoiling anything, turns out to be not what anyone else in the town could have ever expected.
This successful first film was followed up by a sequel which expanded upon the world and characters presented rather flawlessly, and a few television shows and specials of mixed quality. Each outing did more to develop the characters, enrich the world created, and provide fantastic entertainment value all along the way. Speaking personally my favorite is the Holiday Special as that one featured the most profound development of the friendship between Toothless and Hiccup. Which, incidentally, is called back to in the third film. If you have not yet seen either of the first two films, I encourage you to do so. Especially if you plan on seeing this new movie in theaters, which I also recommend you do. While all three films can easily stand on their own as individual stories very well, watching them in order does provide a profound sense of closure and enlightenment of sorts.
The third film, as in today's subject, takes place a few years after the events of the second. The people of Berk have not only been at peace and harmony with the Dragons, but they have even become a safe haven for them all. As there are still plenty of other tribes out there who only see them as monsters to be taken down. One such new threat takes the form of a master Dragon hunter named Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham) who claims to have hunted and killed almost all of the Night Fury Dragons. Realizing that it's only a matter of time before this lethal hunter funds their home, Hiccup decides, as leader of the tribe, to move everyone to a new land where they may stand a better chance at defending themselves and protecting their Dragons. Making things even more complicated, Toothless had discovered, and become enamored with, a female Night Fury (actually referred to as "Light Fury" in the movie). Also, legend speaks of a safe haven known as The Hidden World specifically for Dragons. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must face their greatest challenge yet: choosing between the world they want and the world they need.
What I like best about this movie, and indeed the series as a whole is how smart of a film it is. All of the characters in this series are smart, developed, three-dimensional, and have grown over time. Sure, there are still some comic relief characters who have been more-or-less the same in terms of personality, but they serve their purposes well and even show some signs of change when it comes to how they choose to react to specific situations. Much like Zootopia none of the characters are made to be stupid or ignorant to advance the plot. Everyone in this film is utilized to their full ability.
The relationship between Hiccup, his Dragon friend Toothless, and his girlfriend Astrid (America Ferrera) is the heart of the film in every way. Their dynamic and loveable connections drive the story every step of the way. Making their journey all the more memorable and heartfelt especially at the very end of the movie.
The animation will undoubtedly wow both general audiences and specialists. The advancements made in technology since the first film shines through in the third. The amount of detail and textures ate genuinely astonishing to behold. Not to mention the overall style which has been a stand out for me remains visually gorgeous. It is worth noting that renowned cinematographer Roger Deakins worked as a visual consultant for all three films, and it shows.
This is a beautiful addition and a satisfying conclusion to a fantastic series. Kids will love it, adults will admire it, and fans will rejoice for it. I know I did. If you enjoyed the first two movies, then you will love this one. If you have not yet seen the aforementioned films, then you owe it to yourself to get started. Like any good series of movies, there is something for everyone.
Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.
Is it worth seeing in theaters?
Yes.
Why?
It is a bold and well-crafted story about love, friendship, and the hope for a better future all told with stunning action and some of the coolest Dragons you will ever see. Don't miss this one.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you for reading.
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