Directed by: Dean DeBlois
Written by: Dean DeBlois, based on Cressida Cowell’s book
Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerald Butler, Julian Dennison, Naomi Wirthner, and Nick Frost
Runtime: 125 minutes
This ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ live-action remake is not necessary, but it honors the original story and soars during the biggest moments
“The reign of the dragons ends right here, right now.” - Stoick (Gerald Butler)
“Everything we know about dragons is wrong.” – Hiccup (Mason Thames)
In 2010, the thrilling, uplifting, and soulful animated feature “How to Train Your Dragon” garnered two Academy Award nominations for Animated Feature Film and Original Score. “Toy Story 3” (2010) and “The Social Network” (2010) won those Oscars that year, respectively, but in no way does that diminish the marvelous work of directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, composer John Powell, the crew, and the voice actors led by Jay Baruchel, Gerald Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, and a host of others.
For sensitive animal lovers, Hiccup (Baruchel) - the awkward, “120-pound”, pacifist teenager who thinks out of the box and uses his heart and ingenuity to befriend a dragon named Toothless, a cordial, loyal, and ferocious (when needed) charcoal gray flying buddy with expressive green eyes - is your hero.
Granted, the intimidating opening scene and some dicey moments during the third-act battles might have some adults question the PG rating, but “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010) – based on Cressida Cowell’s 2003 children’s book - is a lovely family film.
It’s a modern-day classic that’s worth enjoying time and time again.
Fifteen years later, director DeBlois creates another way to relish the experience with a live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon”, and he and his team’s new vision honors the original animated feature.
“Dragon” (2025) is essentially the same story as the 2010 movie, or one might argue that they are nearly identical. So many times, scenes play out beat for beat and word for word. Both films’ tones and life lessons are consistent.
However, the 2025 movie runs for 125 minutes, while the 2010 original lasts 98 minutes. This new iteration certainly feels longer. Note that “Dragon” 2010’s end credits – as shown on HBO/MAX - begin at the 89-minute mark. Still, it’s not easy to discern where the additional 27 or 36 minutes originate. Perhaps, the opening battle on the Isle of Berk and the concluding conflict last for a few more minutes each, and one of the Viking teens often looks for fatherly approval that isn’t a plot point in the 2010 flick.
DeBlois includes Butler to reprise his fierce role and composer John Powell, whose emotive score soars in both theatrical renditions. Baruchel, 43, has aged out of the live-action role, but 17-year-old Mason Thames (“The Black Phone” (2021)) is perfectly cast as the new Hiccup, who wonderfully captures the lead’s uneasiness, warmth, and resourcefulness.
Nick Frost fills in nicely for Craig Ferguson as Stoick’s indispensable right-hand man, Gobber, and Julian Dennison, Nico Parker, and Naomi Wirthner as Fishlegs, Astrid, and village elder Gothi, respectively, are other standouts.
If you are a “How to Train Your Dragon” newbie, there is no need to see the animated film first, and here is the basic premise.
The Vikings residing on the Isle of Berk, located somewhere in the North Sea, attempt to live peacefully, but they are under frequent attack by fire-breathing dragons who burn their homes and steal their sheep. Sometime in the past, a dragon killed Stoick’s wife (and Hiccup’s mother), so this ongoing war has led to hundreds of Vikings and thousands of dragons losing their lives. Stoick, a burly, bearded alpha male and village leader, hopes to find the elusive dragon’s nest and end this ongoing human-dragon campaign for good.
Meanwhile, a group of teenagers are thrown into dragon-slaying training, including Hiccup, who previously and desperately wished to kill a dragon. (“Wished” is notably in the past tense.) However, he meets and befriends Toothless, an elusive Night Fury dragon who Hiccup actually injured with a catapult contraption the evening before. When they first meet, both Toothless and Hiccup are equally frightened, and dragon and human each swallow their anxiety and learn to trust one another.
Hiccup is a quick study, and he soon learns Toothless’ behaviors and employs these discoveries to confront the dragons humanely during training rather than swing a club and stab with a sword. Will Hiccup’s gentle approach resonate with Stoick and the rest of the village?
For Hiccup and the audience, we actively hope our lead’s example will spread to everyone, but his efforts effectively feel like an extreme uphill climb, like to the top of Berk’s highest peak, especially since Stoick’s years of dragon battles, the pain of losing his wife, and the man’s imposing presence stand in Hiccup’s way.
In contrast to the ongoing stress of Berk’s overall off-putting outlook against the fearsome flying lizards, the special effects team conjures some hilarious, goofball dragons during several training sessions, and the kids don’t really feel in danger during those sequences.
Still, the movie’s absolute best moments are all the on-screen minutes, seconds, and milliseconds with Hiccup and Toothless as they cooperate and lean on each other to form the North Sea’s most inspirational team. Cinematographer Bill Pope, Powell, and the visual effects team get all the magic right during the pair’s introductions, rousing flights, and hazardous third-act fights against some capable studio backgrounds and the on-location shoots in stunning Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The sound design team and DeBlois and Pope’s camera also focus on Hiccup’s shifting gear contraption “at the feet” of his left foot, which is essential for Toothless’ flying.
So much so, that moviegoers in theatres everywhere might simultaneously shift their left feet to help adjust Toothless’ flight patterns along with Hiccup.
No question, Toothless’ visual appearance is a flawless and endearing reimagination of the animated dragon, and he and Hiccup’s heroic labor and friendship capture similar vibes with its 15-year-old predecessor.
Yet, is a live-action take on a modern-day animated classic a necessary cinematic endeavor? Admittedly, no, and in our current world of sequels and remakes, “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025) does feel like a redundant experience, except for the intense and lengthy third-act colossal clash that seems more ferocious than its animated ancestor. Is this movie too much for small children? Possibly, although a friend opined that his six-year-old son would probably embrace the dragon fights because, hey, kids love dragons! Fair enough.
There might be good reason to love “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025) or at least like it because DeBlois and his team know a lot about dragons. They have the right stuff.
Jeff’s ranking
3/4 stars
