Training Dragons: Catholic Movie Review

how to train your dragon catholic movie review

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon has received mixed reviews. While some critics praise the film's stunning visual effects and artistic changes, others argue that it falls short of the original animated classic. The plot remains largely unchanged, focusing on Hiccup, a young Viking who befriends a dragon named Toothless. The film features stylized violence, mild language, and brief anatomical humor. While some viewers may be disappointed by the lack of surprises, others will appreciate the faithful retelling of a beloved story.

Characteristics Values
Film Type Live-action remake
Original Film Release Date 2010
Rating PG – Parental guidance suggested
Plot Derived from Cressida Cowell's 2003 children's novel
Main Character Hiccup
Other Characters Stoick, Astrid, Toothless
Themes Finding your own identity, loyalty to friends, peace
Visuals Exciting, stunning, visually fantastic, impressive, artistic, immersive, thrilling
Soundtrack Fantastic, "reimagined"
Comparison to Original Faithful, enjoyable, captures the heart of the original, lacks charm
Objectionable Content Stylized violence, characters in peril, nonscriptural religious practices, brief anatomical humor, mild oaths, profanity, sexual content

cyfaith

The live-action remake captures the heart of the original

The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" is a visually stunning film that captures the heart of the original. While the basic story and some of the personnel remain the same, the remake falls short of the heights of its predecessor. However, it is still a faithful and enjoyable reimagining.

The film's stunning visual effects bring the dragons to life, with intricate details such as a third eyelid, realistic boning in the wings, and iridescent scale textures. The breathtaking wilderness of Northern Ireland, where it was filmed, adds to the immersive experience. The dragons look as convincing as CGI creatures can be, and the power of the visuals is enhanced by how they are used, with thrilling scenes of Hiccup and Toothless soaring through the clouds.

The remake retains the adventurous spirit and visual beauty of the original, with exciting visuals of flying dragons offering a source of giddy pleasure. The human drama between Hiccup and Stoick feels forced, and the script fails to drive home its peaceful themes and lessons about identity and friendship convincingly. However, moviegoers satisfied with the entertainment value of dragon riding and the familiar story will appreciate the opportunity to revisit Berk.

The film's returning elements, such as the fantastic soundtrack, infuse it with an irresistible sense of adventure. While some may bemoan the lack of surprises, others will appreciate the filmmaker's willingness to respect the original story. Overall, "How to Train Your Dragon" is a well-executed live-action remake that captures the heart of the original and offers a thrilling cinematic experience.

cyfaith

The film's visuals are stunning and immersive

The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" offers stunning visuals and special effects, transporting viewers to the breathtaking wilderness of Northern Ireland, where most of the movie was filmed. The artistic changes made to adapt the cartoon to live-action are impressive, especially in the design of the dragons, which brings them to life.

Toothless, the beloved dragon companion of the protagonist Hiccup, showcases intricate details such as a third eyelid, realistic boning in his wings, and iridescent blue scale textures. These design elements contribute to the immersive experience of the film, making Toothless appear almost like a real dragon. The integration of special effects and the stunning natural landscapes creates a thrilling cinematic journey for audiences.

The film's visuals are further enhanced by the exhilarating dragon-fueled action sequences, which are more intense and sharper in tone than the animated version. Scenes of Hiccup and Toothless soaring through the clouds or over the lush landscape of Berk are visually breathtaking and thrilling, showcasing the power of the film's visuals. The live-action format allows for a more immersive experience, bringing audiences closer to the action and adventure of the story.

While some may argue that the surge of live-action remakes takes away from the appreciation of animation as an art form, "How to Train Your Dragon" demonstrates that well-executed visual effects can enhance the storytelling experience. The visuals not only captivate the audience but also serve the narrative, emphasizing the adventurous spirit and beauty of the original story.

Overall, the stunning and immersive visuals of "How to Train Your Dragon" contribute significantly to the film's appeal, creating a cinematic experience that engages and immerses audiences in the magical world of dragons and Vikings.

Explore related products

I Am Dragon

$9.98 $14.99

Fatima [DVD]

$8.34

Catholicism DVD Box Set

$38.99 $41.98

Evelyn

$2.89

Mother Teresa

$16.95

cyfaith

The script fails to drive home its peaceful themes

The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" is a visually stunning film that captures the heart of the original. However, the script fails to effectively convey its peaceful themes and lessons about identity and friendship.

The drama between Hiccup and Stoick feels forced, and the film relies heavily on exciting visuals and the pleasure of riding a flying dragon. While the script is largely free of objectionable content, it lacks conviction in delivering its peaceful message and teachings about loyalty and friendship.

The film contains stylized violence, perilous scenes, nonscriptural religious practices, brief anatomical humour, and mild oaths. It is rated PG, suggesting that parental guidance is recommended.

The live-action remake closely follows the plot of the original, and while it offers impressive visual effects and artistic designs, it adds little else of value to the story. The film's strength lies in its visual beauty and immersive cinematic experience, but it fails to provide a substantial narrative that effectively conveys its intended themes.

Overall, the film may disappoint viewers seeking a deeper exploration of its themes, as the script falls short of driving home its peaceful message and lessons about identity and friendship.

Utah's Catholics: A Growing Community

You may want to see also

cyfaith

The film is appropriate for a wide audience

The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" is a film that is appropriate for a wide audience. The movie is based on Cressida Cowell's 2003 children's novel of the same name. The plot revolves around a young, socially isolated Viking boy called Hiccup, who is the son of Berk's chief Viking, Stoick the Vast.

Hiccup feels pressured to live up to his father's legacy and impress Astrid, the girl of his dreams. He initially succeeds in capturing a Night Fury dragon but finds himself unable to kill the creature. Instead, he befriends the dragon, names him Toothless, and gradually comes to believe that dragons are misunderstood.

While the film is visually stunning, with impressive special effects and breathtaking scenery, the script has been criticised for failing to effectively convey its peaceful themes and lessons about identity and friendship. The film contains stylized violence, mild peril, non-scriptural religious practices, brief anatomical humour, and several mild oaths.

The Motion Picture Association of America has given the film a PG rating, suggesting that parental guidance may be needed for younger viewers. Overall, while the film may not offer substantial depth to some viewers, it is a well-executed remake that captures the spirit of the original and is suitable for a broad audience.

cyfaith

The plot remains faithful to Cressida Cowell's novel

The 2025 live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" is based on Cressida Cowell's 2003 children's novel of the same name. The plot of the movie remains faithful to the novel, focusing on a young, socially isolated Viking boy called Hiccup (played by Mason Thames) who yearns to elevate his lowly status among his peers. Hiccup is the son of Berk's chief Viking, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), and feels pressured to live up to his father's legacy.

Hiccup is also out to impress Astrid (Nico Parker), the girl of his dreams. When he succeeds in capturing a Night Fury, one of the most elusive dragons, he is initially thrilled. However, he finds himself unable to kill the wounded creature and instead befriends it, naming it Toothless. Hiccup gradually comes to believe that dragons are misunderstood and hated by humans due to a lack of understanding.

The movie captures the heart of the novel, portraying Hiccup's ambition, his relationship with Toothless, and his unpopular stance on dragons. It showcases his desire to gain renown by slaying dragons, which his Viking community has been battling for generations. While some viewers may appreciate the faithful adaptation, others may find it lacking in substance beyond its visual appeal.

The live-action remake offers stunning visual effects, with intricate details in the dragon's design, such as a third eyelid and realistic boning in the wings. The integration of special effects with the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Ireland enhances the immersive experience. However, some critics argue that the remake fails to capture all the charm of the novel and falls short of the heights of its animated predecessor.

Overall, while the plot remains faithful to Cowell's novel, capturing the key elements of the story, some viewers may be left wanting more substantial deviations or additions to the narrative beyond its visual enhancements.

Frequently asked questions

The plot of "How to Train Your Dragon" is derived from Cressida Cowell’s 2003 children's novel. It focuses on a youthful, socially isolated Viking lad called Hiccup, who yearns to elevate his lowly status among his peers.

The OSV News classification for the movie is A-II – adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG – parental guidance suggested.

The movie explores themes of peace, finding your own identity, and demonstrating loyalty to friends.

The live-action version offers stunning visual effects and artistic changes that bring the dragon, Toothless, to life. The character designs include intricate details such as a third eyelid and realistic boning in the wings.

The movie contains stylized violence, characters in peril, and brief anatomical humor. While it is rated PG, parents should use their discretion and provide guidance for younger viewers.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment