I love How to Train Your Dragon. But… I know I’m not alone in thinking live-action remakes are, in most cases, unnecessary. The originals often already do the job beautifully, and remakes sometimes feel like safe, nostalgic cash grabs. But, as I’ve come to understand, they’re also a bit like Broadway revivals; a beloved classic getting a fresh staging for a new generation, shaped by the passion of a new creative team.
Most live-action adaptations come and go for me, watched once, appreciated lightly, then shelved. How to Train Your Dragon, however, is one of the rare exceptions. I genuinely love that this version exists.
A Faithful Flight Worth Repeating
This adaptation doesn’t try to reimagine the original. Instead, it wisely chooses to recreate rather than reimagine. How to Train Your Dragon uses the animated film as a blueprint and is lovingly rebuilding its world in flesh, scale, and stone. The result is a film that brings back all the iconic moments: the awe of first flight, the delicate trust between a boy and his dragon, the emotional gut-punches, and the bittersweet triumphs. Berk is not just recreated, but reborn.
The emotional beats of the original return in full force, and somehow, they hit just as hard, if not harder. It’s the awe, the discovery, the heartbreak, all dialed in with the help of cinematography and that emotionally loaded score. There were multiple moments where I found myself smiling with teary eyes. It’s magic rebottled for a new generation.
Performances That Channel the Original Spirit
The cast deserves thunderous applause for bringing their animated counterparts to life. Every performance is full of heart and unmistakably rooted in the character fans know and love.
Mason Thames brings a grounded sincerity and intelligent awkwardness to Hiccup that makes the character instantly lovable. He perfectly channels Hiccup’s core traits: a dreamer caught between worlds, desperate for connection and understanding in a world of warriors. His journey from outcast to hero is as touching as ever, and Thames walks the fine line between vulnerability and growing courage with incredible poise.
Nico Parker breathes vibrant life into Astrid. She radiates determination, loyalty, and a fierce sense of justice, but also beautifully plays the subtler moments of warmth and trust as her relationship with Hiccup evolves. Her presence is commanding in every frame, and she holds her own as not just a warrior, but an emotional anchor for the group. Parker’s Astrid is every bit the iconic
Gerard Butler’s return as Stoick the Vast is nothing short of triumphant. In the animated version, Butler brought warmth and gravitas through his voice; in live-action, he delivers that same energy tenfold. His physical presence adds an emotional weight that anchors the entire story, and the father-son dynamic with Hiccup feels even more lived-in and affecting. He carries the culture of Berk on his shoulders, and his scenes. Whether they’re gruff confrontations or quiet moments of vulnerability, Stoick’s scenes are among the most powerful in the film.
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The rest of the supporting cast deserves applause for fully embracing their roles, even when the script veers into campier or more exaggerated territory. The performances strike a tone that respects the animated source material while leaning into the realism of live action.
Visual and Sonic Wonder
The world of Berk has never looked better. The production design masterfully brings this windswept Viking village to life with jaw-dropping detail and texture. From the creaky timber of Stoick’s longhouse to the jagged cliffs and lush green landscapes that frame the island, everything feels tactile and lived-in. The cinematography makes Berk feel as magical as it is dangerous. It truly feels like a believable home for warriors and dragons alike. You feel the spray of the sea, the chill of the mountain winds, and the weight of a world forged by tradition and slowly reshaped by empathy.
Toothless, and the other dragons, are an absolute triumph of visual effects. Somehow, the creature design manages to preserve every ounce of the animated version’s charm while adding layers of realism that make his presence even more powerful. Toothless’ eyes glimmer with intelligence and emotion, his movements are simultaneously catlike and dragonic, and his bond with Hiccup feels deeply earned and achingly pure. Every nuzzle, twitch, and roar is perfectly realized through a blend of VFX genius and character-driven intent. Toothless doesn’t just look real, he feels real. And I’m not even getting started on the fire, gas, and other breaths of the dragons.
And then there’s the flight. That first soaring sequence between Hiccup and Toothless is transcendent. It ties together the wonder of the world, the intimacy of their bond, and the heart of the story in a sweeping, awe-inducing moment that elevates the entire film. The sweeping camera work, the swelling score, the shifting light as they break through clouds. Everything works in perfect harmony to create one of the most breathtaking sequences in any family film, animated or live-action. It’s the kind of moment that defines a generation’s movie memory.
The score, familiar yet dialed up in emotion and scope, is an emotional tour de force. It hits deeper, lifting key scenes with a power that’s as rousing as it is soul-stirring. It’s not just nostalgic, it’s emotionally transcendent.
Almost Too Familiar
If I’m to play fair… yes, this film is almost entirely the same as the animated version. But here’s the twist: even when the dialogue is identical, the delivery, the context, and the reality of it in live-action shift the meaning and the impact. It’s familiar, yes, but it’s different. And that difference is often deeply affecting.
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That said, Nick Frost’s Gobber, while competent and endearing, doesn’t quite reach the iconic status of Craig Ferguson’s version. Frost is still settling in, and live-action constraints dim the exaggerated flair Ferguson brought to the animated counterpart.
How to Train Your Dragon Sets a New Standard for Live Action Adaptations
Despite this minor critique, How to Train Your Dragon sets a high bar for future live-action remakes. It doesn’t just cash in on nostalgia; it respects, uplifts, and expands it. This is a story about friendship, trust, bravery, and love; universal themes delivered through the wings of dragons and the heart of a boy.
For making me question my desire for live action adaptations, I give How to Train Your Dragon a
9/10
How to Train Your Dragon takes flight in theaters nationwide on June 13, 2025.
About How to Train Your Dragon
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Written and directed by: Dean DeBlois
Producers: Marc Platt, Dean DeBlois, Adam Siegel
Genre: Epic Action-Adventure
Cast: Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur
Synopsis
Inspired by Cressida Cowell’s New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.
Have you ever wondered how the world of Berk would look in real life? Will the emotional moments hit harder in live-action than in animation? Are you ready to believe in dragons all over again? Let me know what you think in the comments or @me!
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