DreamWorks has a solid winner in How to Train Your Dragon. Loosely based on Cressida Cowell’s novel of the same name, the film offers a refreshing spin on dragon folklore. With nods to legends of old, the caricature-driven CGI world here does more than stir the imagination—it hints at a saga in the making. Given the number of books in the series, there’s ample material for future adaptations. Writer-directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders doesn’t seem too concerned about diverging from the source material, and for good reason.
A veteran of the animation scene, Sanders is best known for Lilo & Stitch, and he brings much of that magic to DreamWorks. Look closely and you might notice that Toothless the dragon bears a striking resemblance to the alien Stitch.
Instead of a girl meeting an extraterrestrial, the story ventures into a fantasy realm where a young boy, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), encounters a dragon. His Viking village is at war with the entire dragon race, and in preparation for the next generation of warriors, Hiccup attends a training school. Instead of following the rules, however, he skips classes to secretly rehabilitate a wounded dragon. The real question becomes: who is training whom? These moments of mutual discovery are among the film’s most engaging, with a few irresistibly adorable scenes as the bond grows—much like in Lilo & Stitch.
When Hiccup and Toothless take to the skies, the aerial sequences are breathtaking, rivaling and arguably surpassing anything in Avatar. Even James Cameron could take a few notes here.
The film’s slightly exaggerated, cartoon-like style makes it more charming than if it had pursued pure photo-realism. At its core is a powerful message: alliances are possible, even between sworn enemies. The story doesn’t shy away from the cost of conflict either; battles leave their scars, lending the film a welcome touch of realism.
The franchise’s reach extends beyond the big screen. The television series Dragons: Riders of Berk has shown that Hiccup, Astrid, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Tuffnut, and Ruffnut can do more than tame dragons—they can work alongside them. The upcoming series, Dragons: Defenders of Berk, will see the heroes face Alvin and the Outcasts. Given the previous season’s cliffhanger, Berk’s residents may be facing a full-scale invasion. Life in their once-secluded village is changing, and Hiccup might soon have to learn what it takes to be a leader—perhaps even a king. While the books have never served as a strict blueprint for the animated series, familiar plot points are beginning to emerge.
Both the How to Train Your Dragon novels and the animated series stand on their own, offering different yet equally enjoyable experiences. For fans awaiting the next instalment—whether in theatres, on streaming platforms, or as part of the live-action reimagining—reading the books is a great way to keep the magic alive. There’s room to expand this world in many directions, from side stories for the supporting cast to deeper arcs for familiar faces, with or without direct ties to Cressida Cowell’s source material. It’s rarely worth reinventing the wheel; new interpretations will come in time. For now, growing the How to Train Your Dragon universe feels like the best path forward.
5 out of 5
How to Train Your Dragon Trailer
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