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Craig Younkin
Movie Review
How to Train Your Dragon 2
By Craig Younkin Published June 18, 2014
US Release: June 13, 2014
Directed by: Dean Deblois
Starring: Jay Baruchel , Cate Blanchett , Jonah Hill , Kristen Wiig
PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor
Running Time: 102 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $176,885,000
Directed by: Dean Deblois
Starring: Jay Baruchel , Cate Blanchett , Jonah Hill , Kristen Wiig
PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor
Running Time: 102 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $176,885,000
B
This makes for an excellent stepping stone for the third movie.
Craig Younkin is also a reviewer for Movie Room Reviews
“How to Train Your Dragon” was an action-packed heart-warmer, but even so, it was hard to see this thing becoming the animated Star Wars-threequel that director Dean DeBlois wants it to be. I’m not sold yet but what I am sure about is that these movies are soaring and sweet, filled with lessons about children stepping out from out of their parents shadow while also learning the qualities they’ve gotten from each.
As we pick up where we left off, the people from the village of Berk and dragons are living together in harmony and Hiccup (the perfectly nasally voice of Jay Baruchel) and his night fury dragon Toothless are doing tricks so cool that no kid will be able to look at their dog the same way again. He has anxiety about the upcoming retirement of his father (Gerard Butler), which would make him the new Viking chief, and as if that weren’t enough, an evil madman (a roaringly vicious Djimon Honsou) wants to create a dragon army…and oh, he finds that his mother (Cate Blanchett) is still alive and running a dragon sanctuary.
Never lacking in drama, the film isn’t afraid to be dark and tragic, rousing and awe-inspiring, and at times even a bit romantic too. Not many animated films try to be all and even fewer are successful. The villain is made more than just a guy who wants to take over the world and there are scenes of violence that are exciting but also show consequence. The comedic stuff (most coming from Hiccup’s goofy friends) doesn’t seem as sure this time but you can’t deny the power of the story or of those high-flying visuals (with excellent musical accompaniment from John Powell as well as Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi). “HTTYD” may be too much for younger kids, but for everyone else, this makes for an excellent stepping stone for the third movie.
“How to Train Your Dragon” was an action-packed heart-warmer, but even so, it was hard to see this thing becoming the animated Star Wars-threequel that director Dean DeBlois wants it to be. I’m not sold yet but what I am sure about is that these movies are soaring and sweet, filled with lessons about children stepping out from out of their parents shadow while also learning the qualities they’ve gotten from each.
As we pick up where we left off, the people from the village of Berk and dragons are living together in harmony and Hiccup (the perfectly nasally voice of Jay Baruchel) and his night fury dragon Toothless are doing tricks so cool that no kid will be able to look at their dog the same way again. He has anxiety about the upcoming retirement of his father (Gerard Butler), which would make him the new Viking chief, and as if that weren’t enough, an evil madman (a roaringly vicious Djimon Honsou) wants to create a dragon army…and oh, he finds that his mother (Cate Blanchett) is still alive and running a dragon sanctuary.
Never lacking in drama, the film isn’t afraid to be dark and tragic, rousing and awe-inspiring, and at times even a bit romantic too. Not many animated films try to be all and even fewer are successful. The villain is made more than just a guy who wants to take over the world and there are scenes of violence that are exciting but also show consequence. The comedic stuff (most coming from Hiccup’s goofy friends) doesn’t seem as sure this time but you can’t deny the power of the story or of those high-flying visuals (with excellent musical accompaniment from John Powell as well as Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi). “HTTYD” may be too much for younger kids, but for everyone else, this makes for an excellent stepping stone for the third movie.
Craig's Grade: B
Craig's Overall Grading: 340 graded movies
| A | 10.9% | |
| B | 41.8% | |
| C | 31.8% | |
| D | 15.3% | |
| F | 0.3% |
