2014, Twentieth Century Fox
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 102 mins.
THE STORY:
5 years on from the end of the first movie, Berk is a completely different place. Dragons and humans co-exist in a pacific pet-master relationship dynamic. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless remain inseparable, especially when the two of them slip off alone to experiment with flying techniques and equipment.
On one of their forays beyond the island, they discover a mysterious ice enclave inhabited by the Dragon Rider, and a band of dragon poachers. They discover that the two are linked by one individual: Drago (Djimon Hounsou), the crazed villain bent on creating a dragon army to become invincible.
Hiccup is convinced that he can reason with Drago and that everything can be settled with diplomacy. His father, Stoick (Gerard Butler), who has tangled with Drago before, is insistent that Drago is insane beyond reason. When Hiccup heads off alone to confront Drago, Stoick follows. He discovers him in a dragon sanctuary with the enigmatic Dragon Rider, who turns out to be Hiccup's long-lost mother, Valka (Cate Blanchett).
The three, valliantly attempt to defeat Drago, but his power, and that of his alpha dragon, is strong. In a moment of weakness, Toothless is transformed into an aggressive attacker and kills Stoick. Hiccup is devastated and furious, but eventually able to accept that it was not Toothless' fault. Ultimately right turns into might, and the good guys win.
On one of their forays beyond the island, they discover a mysterious ice enclave inhabited by the Dragon Rider, and a band of dragon poachers. They discover that the two are linked by one individual: Drago (Djimon Hounsou), the crazed villain bent on creating a dragon army to become invincible.
Hiccup is convinced that he can reason with Drago and that everything can be settled with diplomacy. His father, Stoick (Gerard Butler), who has tangled with Drago before, is insistent that Drago is insane beyond reason. When Hiccup heads off alone to confront Drago, Stoick follows. He discovers him in a dragon sanctuary with the enigmatic Dragon Rider, who turns out to be Hiccup's long-lost mother, Valka (Cate Blanchett).
The three, valliantly attempt to defeat Drago, but his power, and that of his alpha dragon, is strong. In a moment of weakness, Toothless is transformed into an aggressive attacker and kills Stoick. Hiccup is devastated and furious, but eventually able to accept that it was not Toothless' fault. Ultimately right turns into might, and the good guys win.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- Oh my God.
- stupid
VIOLENCE:
- a dragon is killed, a central character is killed
- lots of fighting/ battle scenes
- lots of ominous, suspenseful scenes
TEACHING POINTS:
- can extrapolate lessons about animal rights and poaching
- individuals have the power to overturn evil when they join together
- good starting point for discussions about totalitarianism/ pro-democracy movements, etc.
THE UPSHOT:
The animation is absolutely mind-blowing, the script and voice acting are superlative, and the the story is solid. That said, it is a pretty intense experience, particularly compared with the first installment, and might not be for everyone.
It is distinctly more violent and action-oriented than the original. Some scenes are definitely overly intense for younger kids, particularly when the humans are shooting down dragons-- how does a 5 year-old know it's a tranquilizer dart? The bad guy is pretty scary in appearance, voice and action. It was also a surprise to the 5 year-old and the grown-ups in the room when one of the central characters died and was set adrift on boat then set alight. All. On. Screen.
I recommend it highly, but suggest that more sensitive viewers be primed or exposed to it on the small screen where it might be a less overwhelming sensory experience.
It is distinctly more violent and action-oriented than the original. Some scenes are definitely overly intense for younger kids, particularly when the humans are shooting down dragons-- how does a 5 year-old know it's a tranquilizer dart? The bad guy is pretty scary in appearance, voice and action. It was also a surprise to the 5 year-old and the grown-ups in the room when one of the central characters died and was set adrift on boat then set alight. All. On. Screen.
I recommend it highly, but suggest that more sensitive viewers be primed or exposed to it on the small screen where it might be a less overwhelming sensory experience.
4/5
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