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| REVIEW OF "How To Train Your Dragon" (2025) |
DreamWorks Pictures
Cast: Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur
Music: John Powell
Cinematography: Bill Pope
Producers: Marc Platt, Adam Siegel
Runtime: 125 minutes
Screenplay: Dean DeBlois
Director: Dean DeBlois
Following the worldwide success of Lilo & Stitch (2002) and an Oscar nomination, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois joined DreamWorks' filmography with what would become the How to Train Your Dragon animated trilogy — the studio’s most solid and rewarding franchise (as opposed to Kung Fu Panda and Shrek, which were both ruined by their respective third installments). It was only a matter of time before they jumped on the trend of turning their animated catalog into live-action remakes. Now, it’s time to return to the adventures of Toothless and Hiccup on the island of Berk.
Hiccup (Mason Thames) is a young resident of the island of Berk, whose people have been at war with dragons for generations. He lives in the shadow of his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), the chief of Berk. While Hiccup is expected to fight dragons during their attacks, he’s not exactly the warrior the world expects — he prefers tinkering and inventing gadgets over wielding weapons against the creatures. An unexpected encounter puts him face to face with one of these mystical beings — and the rest is history.
Oscar-nominated Dean DeBlois makes his live-action directorial debut — and what better way than with the universe he’s spent the past decade developing. Mason Thames delivers as the quiet, fearful Hiccup who finds his courage over the course of the story alongside Toothless. Their relationship remains endearing: both characters are outcasts seeking belonging and acceptance from their own communities — the same parallel that was handled so well by the directors in Lilo & Stitch (2002), which is why both animated films share many similarities.
But focusing on this version — DeBlois doesn’t take any risks. He relies 100% on the emotional core of the story, replicating it shot for shot as seen in the original film. Even Toothless’s design (apart from the texture of his scales) is exactly the same. Unfortunately, this strips the film of its own personality and makes it indistinguishable from its predecessor. While changes don’t always work in live-action remakes, their absence here also leads to the same creative pitfalls that plague many of these adaptations: they seek to expand universes, but often end up lacking imagination.
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) doesn’t need much more explanation than what’s already been said above. For those who’ve never seen the animated version, this live-action one may resonate deeply thanks to its nostalgia and charm. Is that a bad thing? Not really — but it is unnecessary. Let’s just stick with the animated movie, please!
RATING FOR "HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON" (2025): AVERAGE TO MEDIOCRE
★★★