Christopher SoallHow to Train Your Dragon 3D: A Review
April 5th 2010 14:06
The casual film observer might be forgiven for thinking that a film featuring the voice talents of Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse would not necessarily be the type of film that one would want to take one’s children to see; but that is one of many pleasant aspects of the experience of watching ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ in 3D.
Baruchel voices the central protagonist, Hiccup, an enthusiastic young Viking who has the desire to be considered part of the tribe by killing a dragon. He is told with authority that he isn’t ready to do so, and is looked upon by the rest of the tribe as a bit of a menace; as is effectively portrayed in his overzealous attempts to kill the elusive Night Fury dragon.
The true scale of Hiccup’s inferiority complex, too, is made quite apparent by the fact that he is the son of the tribe’s fearless leader. Voiced by Gerard Butler, this leader is so aghast at his son’s seemingly sabotaging idiosyncrasies, that he recruits volunteers for an attack on the dragon’s nest by saying that those who don’t come can look after the boy. Needless to
say, all hands are immediately raised.
But the subtle nods to the theme of isolation in this film are much more apparent than the fact that Hiccup has a Canadian accent when all others have deep Scottish ones (which, by the way, I found to be a nice touch). He longs for a girl, and looks on her in a manner not dissimilar to the adolescent gaze that is present in ‘Superbad’, and in the same way, dismisses himself because she is among the cooler youths of the tribe.
The dragon that he takes down too, is clearly a lone operator. Never attacking humans, the Night Fury is never even seen by the population of the Viking town that it helps to attack.
So the scene is set at the closing stages of the first act, when Hiccup, more by luck than judgement, fells the Night Fury, and is faced with the choice to kill him or release him. Hiccup finally finds his identity; and realises that it is against all of his desires. He can’t kill the dragon, and when he releases it, in spite of being told that the beasts will always kill; the dragon too, lives and lets live.
And all of the rest of the action too, is carefully plotted and sub plotted; all of the scenes with Hiccup and the Night Fury, which he names Toothless, are carried out only between them. They are co-dependent, as Toothless can only soar majestically when he is piloted by his human, and Hiccup discovers some of the weaknesses that can bring down dragons harmlessly only through the tender relationship with his Night Fury.
The different strands all come together too, at spots which will make even Robert McKee press pause on his over-watched copy of ‘Chinatown’ and look at this contemporary animation with glee.
The techniques that Hiccup learns are put into practice in the pressurised arena situations that the group of youths voiced by the Attapow brigade are forced to participate in. Here, he achieves the hero status he wasn’t looking for; and his father gives him the chance to slay a dragon.
The third act too, is an outstanding culmination of all of the strands, as the great Viking warrior takes Toothless captive and is lead to the nest that he has been seeking with some cost for some time.
When the warrior realises the massive scope of the problem he faces at the nest; he also realises the error of his ways, and how he should have given his son something more of a chance. He realises that all he needed to do was listen.
The final set piece, as with the rest of the film, is not just a beautifully crafted story that has excellent sub-textual and thematic content that will please story and film enthusiasts like me; but it also is an incredible spectacle, with flames and smoke and flashes during Toothless’ final attack. The audience almost slide to the edges of their seats with the G-force generated by the in-flight battle all the way up to its heart-stopping climax.
And while the toilet-humour often associated with Baruchel and company isn’t utilised, it still raises a smile; with the wonderful facial expressions on the characters complimented by great quotes (“How can I help, being the world’s deadliest weapon?”)
All in all, great fun for the whole family, as the children will love the flames and the falling (all enhanced by the well utilised, but not over-used, 3D), and the adults will appreciate some of the more subtle elements involved.
I heartily recommend it.
Baruchel voices the central protagonist, Hiccup, an enthusiastic young Viking who has the desire to be considered part of the tribe by killing a dragon. He is told with authority that he isn’t ready to do so, and is looked upon by the rest of the tribe as a bit of a menace; as is effectively portrayed in his overzealous attempts to kill the elusive Night Fury dragon.
The true scale of Hiccup’s inferiority complex, too, is made quite apparent by the fact that he is the son of the tribe’s fearless leader. Voiced by Gerard Butler, this leader is so aghast at his son’s seemingly sabotaging idiosyncrasies, that he recruits volunteers for an attack on the dragon’s nest by saying that those who don’t come can look after the boy. Needless to
say, all hands are immediately raised.
But the subtle nods to the theme of isolation in this film are much more apparent than the fact that Hiccup has a Canadian accent when all others have deep Scottish ones (which, by the way, I found to be a nice touch). He longs for a girl, and looks on her in a manner not dissimilar to the adolescent gaze that is present in ‘Superbad’, and in the same way, dismisses himself because she is among the cooler youths of the tribe.
The dragon that he takes down too, is clearly a lone operator. Never attacking humans, the Night Fury is never even seen by the population of the Viking town that it helps to attack.
So the scene is set at the closing stages of the first act, when Hiccup, more by luck than judgement, fells the Night Fury, and is faced with the choice to kill him or release him. Hiccup finally finds his identity; and realises that it is against all of his desires. He can’t kill the dragon, and when he releases it, in spite of being told that the beasts will always kill; the dragon too, lives and lets live.
And all of the rest of the action too, is carefully plotted and sub plotted; all of the scenes with Hiccup and the Night Fury, which he names Toothless, are carried out only between them. They are co-dependent, as Toothless can only soar majestically when he is piloted by his human, and Hiccup discovers some of the weaknesses that can bring down dragons harmlessly only through the tender relationship with his Night Fury.
The different strands all come together too, at spots which will make even Robert McKee press pause on his over-watched copy of ‘Chinatown’ and look at this contemporary animation with glee.
The techniques that Hiccup learns are put into practice in the pressurised arena situations that the group of youths voiced by the Attapow brigade are forced to participate in. Here, he achieves the hero status he wasn’t looking for; and his father gives him the chance to slay a dragon.
The third act too, is an outstanding culmination of all of the strands, as the great Viking warrior takes Toothless captive and is lead to the nest that he has been seeking with some cost for some time.
When the warrior realises the massive scope of the problem he faces at the nest; he also realises the error of his ways, and how he should have given his son something more of a chance. He realises that all he needed to do was listen.
The final set piece, as with the rest of the film, is not just a beautifully crafted story that has excellent sub-textual and thematic content that will please story and film enthusiasts like me; but it also is an incredible spectacle, with flames and smoke and flashes during Toothless’ final attack. The audience almost slide to the edges of their seats with the G-force generated by the in-flight battle all the way up to its heart-stopping climax.
And while the toilet-humour often associated with Baruchel and company isn’t utilised, it still raises a smile; with the wonderful facial expressions on the characters complimented by great quotes (“How can I help, being the world’s deadliest weapon?”)
All in all, great fun for the whole family, as the children will love the flames and the falling (all enhanced by the well utilised, but not over-used, 3D), and the adults will appreciate some of the more subtle elements involved.
I heartily recommend it.
| 108 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic