Official Synopsis
Heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon Toothless return and must protect the peace and save the future of men and dragons from the power-hungry Drago.
You go into movies like this thinking that the animated formula you usually see in an animated film like this is going to be the same. The first How to Train Your Dragon was a bit predictable, though emotional and cute. You had a movie that featured vikings discriminating against dragons, thinking they were violent/vile creatures, only to be convinced otherwise by the end when they save the day. We have seen that sort of three act play before in movies like this, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see it play that way again. You would think the folks behind the series would have gone the same route, changed the characters up a bit and, sadly, not take chances.
That isn’t the case with How to Train Your Dragon 2 and, more importantly, that is why it is special.
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The movie starts out with the residents of Berk enjoying and embracing a dragon culture. Races are run through the town with dragon riders and everything seems to be peachy. While excitement and relaxation is going on in Berk, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is searching the surroundings with Toothless looking to find new adventures, new lands to explore and new ways to live with his dragon.
Right from the get-go, we have a family animated film quickly turned into a coming-of-age movie. Hiccup is looking to expand his horizons, get out on his own and continue to build a solid relationship with Toothless, as well as his main gal Astrid (America Ferrera). Director Dean DeBlois doesn’t beat around the bush with knowing what a young man like Hiccup would do at this age. He wants him to go out on his own to find his own way, almost in a walkabout fashion. To create this life, tone and adventure for Hiccup, DeBlois also has to create tragic, sad realizations for Hiccup that someone his age could relate to having.
It’s fascinating how ‘real’ DeBlois makes this animated character. Humanizing him and making him relatable is key for making this story (and movie) work. DeBlois does a great job with making this one-dimensional animated kid into a two-dimensional person learning hard lessons in the world.
As Hiccup, Toothless and Astrid go searching a bit of adventure, they run into dragon catchers led by a sort of anti-hero named Eret (Kit Harington). Eret, who is brave and hilarious, tells them about Drago, an individual that is trying to build an army of dragons to rule the world. After a brief skirmish, Hiccup, Toothless and Astrid report their findings to Hiccup’s father, Stoick (Gerard Butler), who reacts by trying to shut off Berk from possible Drago attacks. Of course, Stoick reveals his run-in with Drago and the tragedy that caused, which makes sense when compared to his reaction.
*SPOILER ALERT BEGINS*
Things start taking a twist at this point and more details start to unravel about Hiccup and Toothless. While demanding to be captured and taken to Drago, via Eret, Hiccup and Toothless end up being kidnapped by a dragon rider and brought to a dragon paradise. The dragon rider who has kidnapped him ends up being his long lost mother, Valka (Cate Blanchett). She has the power to control and talk to dragons, but has a sense of kindness, which equals to a mutual respect between her and her dragon friends. Her introduction explains Hiccup’s ability to work with dragons and where that originated. Also, this is a touching reunion between Valka and Hiccup, really hitting home the need for a lost kid to feel loved and wanted (not that his father doesn’t want him, but a mother’s love is especially vital). Again, this is a young adult Hiccup that is putting small pieces of his life together as he is growing up. Love that they added Valka into the story and even more so that it makes sense.
Eventually, Stoick catches up and finds Hiccup, and he himself has his own emotional reunion with a wife he thought he lost forever. The reaction between Stoick and Valka is priceless and it’s very believable. What’s funny is that it’s not what you’re probably imagining right now. DeBlois takes a different route with their relationship and it works brilliantly.
*SPOILER ALERT ENDS*
Anyway, while I don’t want to ruin the rest of the film, something awful happens to Hiccup towards the end when he finally meets up with Drago (not what you think it is) and the kiddy movie you laughed at with the sheep the first time around suddenly becomes a serious drama with a lot at stake.
Honestly, you could not have asked for a better sequel with a better story and stronger overall effort to make it more than just a cash grab kiddy film.
On the technical side of things, I’m not sure I’ve seen a better animated film in the last few years that looks as good as How to Train Your Dragon 2. The skin textures, expressions and visuals of the creatures and lands is beyond outstanding. When you see the great fight at the end, you’ll be happy you were watching this film. This is simply superbly animated and I hope they keep this series going, if not only for the technical achievements it seems to have accomplished. Really gorgeous stuff.
On a final note, while I don’t have the special features that the Blu-ray/DVD might contain, I’ve really enjoyed having this on digital. I’m usually a disc guy when it comes to movies, but my iPhone 6+ makes this sucker look gorgeous and the portability makes my kids happy. They’re not too high on special features at this point in their lives…yet.
