Before diving into this world of dragons, let us assess what we know of dragons in media before I unpack How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
We all think dragons are wicked and like to see them on T.V. and in movies. Of course, the very popular Game of Thrones has dragons in it. In The Hobbit, there was “Smaug the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities,” who looked cooler than cucumbers.
The dragons in this movie are not necessarily the coolest dragons you ever did see, but they are different and perhaps that is good enough. The dragons are integrated well into the storyline, and their involvement in the movie advances the plot. In some films, the dragon is the ultimatum and its part to play is minimal in the grand scheme of things. This movie allows us to think about dragons as peaceful cohabitants that improve the lives of the humans that keep them, which for the most part satisfies our imaginations.
The story takes place a year after the events in How to Train Your Dragon 2. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his dragon Toothless are better than ever, ready to take on any challenges that come their way. As it happens, trouble finds them in the form of Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham), a dragon hunter responsible for killing almost all the Night Furies. There are only two Night Furies alive: Toothless and a milky white Light Fury. This Light Fury and Toothless become smitten with each other, and there is a charming mating ritual on full display during their interactions. Little do they know that the Light Fury is being manipulated by Grimmel. After being threatened and nearly killed by Grimmel, Hiccup and the people of Berk (his land) uproot themselves and travel in search for a safe haven called the “Hidden World.” What follows is a lot of dragons and pulpy battle segments.
Throughout the course of these movies is the advancement of dragons, which were once hunted upon and killed by Berkians, and now they are their salvation. There are so many different types of dragons, and the strength of their fury is ever so glorious. This film was my favorite of the franchise and a delightful conclusion to the trilogy. Dreamworks constructed a magical world with these magnificent creatures that fascinate us, of which all of us would like to be a part – the mark of a good animated feature. The main theme of this movie is love, which soars right along with the Night Furies and other dragons. This movie is comprehensively good. Check it out.
Genre: Animation
Rating: 4/5