Netflix This: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

Just released last Friday to consumers for home consumption (DVD, Netflix, etc.) was the box office hit How to Train Your Dragon. Surprisingly, the film is an animated gem from a production company not named Pixar and was one of the best reviewed movies of the year. I don’t align myself with critics who call this movie award worthy considering it is only the third best animated movie of the year in my book behind Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me. Even without placing this movie amongst the top two animated movies of the year, I still recommend people who have not experienced How to Train Your Dragon giving it a view.

The movie pits various types of dragons against a village of Vikings. The sides have a long standing disagreement with neither group understanding the other. The mentality of destroying the other is created by this stand off causing weekly battles between the sides. The film’s main character Hiccup is voiced by Jay Baruchel (I know, Hiccup is really the main character’s name). Hiccup doesn’t have the stature, the mindset, or the desire to kill dragons. When he crosses paths with a ruthless dragon few Vikings have seen before, neither Hiccup nor the jet black dragon have the guts to finish the other off. The duo develop a comfort level with each other and eventually forge a bond that changes the conflict forever.

Barrett and I recently had a chance to sit down and watch How to Train Your Dragon and we both enjoyed it. The two of us were at a loss for why Jay Baruchel’s annoying voice was featured as Hiccup when the character was supposed to be a teenager and Baruchel is 28 years old. I personally don’t mind him as an actor (Barrett despises him) but just his voice alone became more and more irritating as the movie progressed. The story itself was always fun and held my interest, but it got predictable at the end to the point Barrett was “calling” what would happen in the last scene. Granted I know it’s a kids movie, but the narrative had some heavy story elements, and I was a little disappointed with the lack of creativity in the conclusion.

My favorite thing about the movie is how they made the dragon’s actions resemble that of a household dog. Any canine lover will feel right at home watching this movie. Another thing you may notice are the recognizable voices of Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Kristen Wiig. If you come across an opportunity to check out How to Train Your Dragon, I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Netflix This: How to Train Your Dragon

What Do You Think? Discuss.