2010, DreamWorks
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 98 mins.
THE STORY:
Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is a young viking, and son of the toughest viking in the band, Stoik (Gerard Butler). Unfortunately, he's not a chip off the old block and his father is not shy about expressing his disappointment. Being a cerebral type, Hiccup has no desire to engage in the number 1 viking pursuit: killing dragons. Although he is undergoing training in the art of dragon-killing, when he happens to run into an injured dragon his instinct is to help rather than harm.
In secret, he befriends the dragon, essentially turning it into his pet, and begins designing a prosthesis to help him fly again. Through his contact with Toothless, Hiccup discovers that dragons are not the evil killers his clan thinks they are, but are themselves living in fear of a super-dragon. From Toothless, he learns tips on how to calm dragons, and becomes a kind of dragon whisperer.
Eventually, his secret becomes public, and his father heads a mission to find the nest of the super-dragon. Knowing his father cannot cope, Hiccup and his fellow trainees mount dragons and head off to help. Hiccup manages to prove his courage and prove himself to his father. He also succeeds in teaching his people to have a new relationship with dragons, and ultimately they all learn to co-exist happily.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
In secret, he befriends the dragon, essentially turning it into his pet, and begins designing a prosthesis to help him fly again. Through his contact with Toothless, Hiccup discovers that dragons are not the evil killers his clan thinks they are, but are themselves living in fear of a super-dragon. From Toothless, he learns tips on how to calm dragons, and becomes a kind of dragon whisperer.
Eventually, his secret becomes public, and his father heads a mission to find the nest of the super-dragon. Knowing his father cannot cope, Hiccup and his fellow trainees mount dragons and head off to help. Hiccup manages to prove his courage and prove himself to his father. He also succeeds in teaching his people to have a new relationship with dragons, and ultimately they all learn to co-exist happily.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- stupid
VIOLENCE:
- vikings attack dragons with hammers, knives, etc.
TEACHING POINTS:
- don't assume; experience things and people for yourself and make educated judgments
- it is important to recognise and admire others' strengths and opinions even if they are different from ours
THE UPSHOT:
The 5 year-old in the room loved this as much as I did, thankfully. There was humour for everyone, especially from Craig Ferguson's character. Jay Baruchel is perfect, and the central female character is a positive example for young girls. The story flow is good and the movie is visually stunning.
My only 2 criticisms: 1) There are no kid-friendly special features, just a lot of talking heads. A game or something would have been nice. 2) There is a quite scary scene where it seems that Toothless is going to be killed and this sent the 5 year-old in the room into paroxysms. It is an intense scene, but it passes without actual violence.
My only 2 criticisms: 1) There are no kid-friendly special features, just a lot of talking heads. A game or something would have been nice. 2) There is a quite scary scene where it seems that Toothless is going to be killed and this sent the 5 year-old in the room into paroxysms. It is an intense scene, but it passes without actual violence.
4.5/5
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