Directed by: Dean DeBlois
Written by: Dean DeBlois
Run Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

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After the release of Maleficent (2014) Disney have brought out at least one live-action remake or reimagining every single year since. It’s hard to believe that this new trend is already over a decade old now, but what’s perhaps less surprising is that other studios are now following suit. For their first live-action remake, DreamWorks Animation has understandably chosen to revisit one of their most popular films, but can a new retelling of How to Train Your Dragon fly as high as the animation?

Well, the story hasn’t strayed too far from the original. Set on the remote Viking island of Berk, the film follows young Hiccup (Mason Thames) as he tries to earn the respect of his formidable dragon-fighting father and tribe leader, Chief Stoick (Gerard Butler). However, after secretly training Toothless, an elusive Night Fury dragon, he begins to question the years-old conflict between his own people and these fire-breathing beasts.

If a live-action remake is to be judged on its likeness to the original film, How to Train Your Dragon is damn near perfect. With writer-director Dean DeBlois and composer John Powell returning, as well as Gerard Butler reprising his role from the original film, it’s easy to see just how they have been able to recapture its magic so meticulously. There can be no complaints that major plot points have been left out or characters changed, as more often than not this is a shot-for-shot remake.

Yet, in achieving such a detailed recreation it leaves itself wide open for criticisms of playing it too safe. If it’s an identical carbon copy what’s even the point? Especially considering the original only came out in 2010. Of course this is a question that’s bigger than How to Train Your Dragon. It’s a trend that has become exhausting at a rapid rate, yet Hollywood’s current obsession with existing IPs – it’s what’s making them money – unfortunately means, the live-action remake is likely here to stay. If that’s to be the case, unimaginative as it is, at least How To Train Your Dragon has strived for a level of quality that some of its rival studio’s counterparts have seemingly been happy to forgo.

Shot in and around Belfast, Berk is brought to life using the stunning landscapes of Ireland – Tollymore Forest, The Giant’s Causeway and Murlough Bay – while also benefitting from the specially built sets at Titanic and Belfast Harbour Studios. This combination of shooting on location and practical sets affords the film an authenticity that proves itself capable of delivering this story in a convincing live-action format. Now, it’s not just as colourful as the original and there are brief moments where the poor use of green screen disturbs the picturesque aesthetic, but these are minor flaws in an otherwise visually impressive feature.

Unsurprisingly, the highlight of which is the impressive thunder of dragons that fills its cinematic skyline. Realised with superb VFX work utilising the pre-established designs, they are transferred into live-action in a skilful and cohesive manner. One that makes them feel like a tangible part of this fantasy world, while never losing the cartoonish personalities that make this such a family friendly adventure. Its playful tone also being a feature successfully carried over from the animation.

However, one thing that can’t be copied and paste from the first film is Jay Baruchel’s wonderful lead performance. The live-action format, while allowing Gerard Butler to reprise his role doesn’t grant the same opportunity for 43-year old Baruchel to play young Hiccup again. Instead this falls to relative newcomer Mason Thames (The Black Phone, 2022), and he does a tremendous job too. He ensures that Hiccup is just as endearing as audiences already know him to be, while boasting a special chemistry with Toothless and the other characters. His performance is the strongest additional element to this much-loved tale.

Thames aside, Butler makes the transition from voice acting to live-action in his reprised role with considerable ease. He thrives in Stoick’s alpha-male position of leadership, delivering his lines with a gruffly gusto while also bringing some softer nuances to his delicate relationship with son Hiccup. Their conflict is where much of the film’s powerful emotion arises from, and together both actors create a dynamic where this swells – with help from John Powell’s soaring score – in all the right moments.

New additions to the cast such as Nick Frost as Gobber, Nico Parker as Astrid and Julian Dennison as Fishlegs give similarly spirited performances, making the feature a lot of fun. However, elsewhere Harry Trevaldwyn presents a somewhat puzzling casting choice as Tuffnut. He seems a little old to play one of Hiccup’s friends, and while the film does reference this in an attempt to be self aware, he still doesn’t make for the most convincing of Vikings. Nonetheless, it’s a small role and doesn’t really affect the overall picture. Conversely, as Ruffnut his on-screen twin Bronwyn James makes for a far more plausible Berk inhabitant, contributing to the accomplished world-building the film achieves.

Although as expected, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original film and it certainly doesn’t surpass it, but if we’re doomed to endure the trend of live-action remakes, How to Train Your Dragon sets a certain standard that should be expected of any that follow. Animated version aside, it’s still a fantastic fantasy adventure about a needless conflict between two tribes. And if a child, or adult for that matter, were to come to this remake before seeing the original they’ll come away with the same valuable morals and gleeful joy that it too provides.

Because ultimately, the choice to remake such an awesome animation so closely, and with such craftsmanship and care, has proved that when it comes to How to Train Your Dragon, lightning can in fact strike twice.

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Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

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