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From Amazon.co.uk
A winning mixture of adventure, slapstick comedy, and friendship, How to Train Your Dragon rivals Kung Fu Panda as the most engaging and satisfying film DreamWorks Animation has produced. Hiccup (voice by Jay Baruchel) is a failure as a Viking: skinny, inquisitive, and inventive, he asks questions and tries out unsuccessful contraptions when he's supposed to be fighting the dragons that attack his village. His father, chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), has pretty much given up on his teenage son and apprenticed him to blacksmith Gobber (Craig Ferguson). Worse, Hiccup knows the village loser hasn't a chance of impressing Astrid (America Ferrera), the girl of his dreams and a formidable dragon fighter in her own right. When one of Hiccup's inventions actually works, he hasn't the heart to kill the young dragon he's brought down. He names it Toothless and befriends it, although he's been taught to fear and loathe dragons. Co-directors and co-writers Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, who made Disney's delightful Lilo and Stitch, provide plenty of action, including vertiginous flying sequences, but they balance the pyrotechnics with moments of genuine warmth that make the viewer root for Hiccup's success. Many DreamWorks films get laughs from sitcom one-liners and topical pop culture references; as the humour in Dragon comes from the characters' personalities, it feels less timely and more timeless. Toothless chases the spot of sunlight reflected off Hiccup's hammer like a giant cat with a laser pointer; Hiccup uses his newly found knowledge (and an icky smoked eel) to defeat two small dragons--and impress the other kids. How to Train Your Dragon will be just as enjoyable 10 or 20 years from now as it is today. --Charles Solomon
Product Description
From the creators of Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda comes How To Train Your Dragon, an animated adventure comedy set in a mythical world of burly vikings and wild dragons, based on the book by Cressida Cowell. The story centres around a viking teenager, who lives on the island of Berk, where fighting dragons is a way of life. Initiation is coming, and this is his one chance to prove his worthiness to his tribe and father. But when he encounters, and ultimately befriends, an injured dragon, his world is turned upside down.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I missed this film when it came round at the cinema and hesitated to buy it for my kids (girl aged 6 and boy aged 4) when it came out on DVD/Blu-Ray. Having taken the plunge I was very pleasantly surprised by this film that is now my kids' firm favourite.
The first time they watched it they were a little scared in places but never too much. Some supposedly young children's films still scare my kids so much that they're not keen to see them again but this film they wanted to see again straight away.
The animation is beautifully done (and stunning on Blu-Ray), particularly that of the main dragon which is more like a cat than a lizard, and I have to say that the big bad dragon at the end of the film is one of the most impressive CGI monsters I've seen in any film, children's or otherwise. The music is wonderful and you'll have trouble getting the theme out of your head if you watch the film a couple of times. The basic story is quite straightforward but the themes are nicely tackled - not always following the herd, being yourself, dealing with parental rejection, overcoming fears and prejudices...
All in all I'd say this is one of the best children's films of recent years, up there with Cars and WALL-E, and one which should appeal to both boys and girls (and young-at-heart adults too).
The first time they watched it they were a little scared in places but never too much. Some supposedly young children's films still scare my kids so much that they're not keen to see them again but this film they wanted to see again straight away.
The animation is beautifully done (and stunning on Blu-Ray), particularly that of the main dragon which is more like a cat than a lizard, and I have to say that the big bad dragon at the end of the film is one of the most impressive CGI monsters I've seen in any film, children's or otherwise. The music is wonderful and you'll have trouble getting the theme out of your head if you watch the film a couple of times. The basic story is quite straightforward but the themes are nicely tackled - not always following the herd, being yourself, dealing with parental rejection, overcoming fears and prejudices...
All in all I'd say this is one of the best children's films of recent years, up there with Cars and WALL-E, and one which should appeal to both boys and girls (and young-at-heart adults too).
70 of 80 people found the following review helpful
By E. Ward
Format:DVD
The release of this film had my expectations running quite high, given the pedigree of recent films from Dreamworks, which had set the standard. 'How to Train Your Dragon' definitely rose to the challenge, with flawless animation and great depth of field if you see it in 3D at the cinema. The characters are well developed though portrayed quite simply, but this is all thats needed. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and would recommend it to anyone (no kids required) who enjoys their Dreamworks films for the quality of animations, reality of characters and high level of entertainment, with a teaspoon of cuteness added for good measure.
A previous reviewer critisised the film's lack of plot, and while I can agree on it being predictable it certinately wasn't boring. There are some great comedy moments, especially when Hiccup is getting to know Toothless, the Nightfury dragon (who bears an uncanny resemblence to Disney's Stitch (Lilo And Stitch). The temprement of the Dragon is so endeering you really feel involved in its development, and the depth of character of both protagonist and 'pet' is astounding. Both Hiccup and Toothless are embarking on the same journey, breaking free from their stereotypical cultural behaviour (Hiccup's Viking urge to kill dragons, and Toothless's dragon urge to kill humans). Its a film about unfamiliar cultural perceptions, and overcoming these on a route to something better, and both Hiccup and Toothless achieve this through 'being true to themselves', if I'm allowed that cutsie ideological statement.
All in all, a very entertaining couple of hours, and easily comparable to the likes of Madagascar. Dreamworks does it again!
And the Scottish actor's voice you can't quite recognise.....? David Tennent :-)
A previous reviewer critisised the film's lack of plot, and while I can agree on it being predictable it certinately wasn't boring. There are some great comedy moments, especially when Hiccup is getting to know Toothless, the Nightfury dragon (who bears an uncanny resemblence to Disney's Stitch (Lilo And Stitch). The temprement of the Dragon is so endeering you really feel involved in its development, and the depth of character of both protagonist and 'pet' is astounding. Both Hiccup and Toothless are embarking on the same journey, breaking free from their stereotypical cultural behaviour (Hiccup's Viking urge to kill dragons, and Toothless's dragon urge to kill humans). Its a film about unfamiliar cultural perceptions, and overcoming these on a route to something better, and both Hiccup and Toothless achieve this through 'being true to themselves', if I'm allowed that cutsie ideological statement.
All in all, a very entertaining couple of hours, and easily comparable to the likes of Madagascar. Dreamworks does it again!
And the Scottish actor's voice you can't quite recognise.....? David Tennent :-)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By nigel
Format:DVD
It is very rare to find a film that causes me to leave a cinema in stunned silence- but this was one of the very few to leave me speechless. And its brilliance does not diminish on repeated viewing. The plot is both surprising and thoughtful- a complete story with no wasted scenes, no periods where the direction of the story is lost. But its genius is the amazing animation, which equals or surpasses the best of Pixar. The scenes where Toothless tries to feed Hiccup a fish and Astrid's first flight on Toothless are quite exceptional. Definitely the best Dreamworks film and fully belongs with the original Toy Story & The Incredibles as the best modern day animation films. I loved Toy Story 3 but this is better. This should have won an Oscar. When you consider that anyone of every age will enjoy this film- it wins my nomination for best film of the year (it's also in my top 3 of all time). Well done Dreamworks!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excelent
A must - one for all the family. Has overtaken Shrek as my favourite Dreamworks animation. Can't wait for the next one :)
Published 15 hours ago by crafter
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to train your dragon
My son loves this film, even more now he owns his own copy. Great dvd at a great price, thanx
Published 4 days ago by Sallyspuggy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
What a great film my son loves it and watched it over and over again. A firm fave route for all the family.
Published 9 days ago by Mrs. Donna Rankine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely Movie.
My grandson loved it!. A lovely story-line and an excellent movie which adults and children alike will enjoy.Very pleased with this purchase.
Published 10 days ago by sprogglett
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to train your dragon.
How to train your dragon,i bought this for my grandaughter and she loved it. We watched it together and it was very good.
Published 10 days ago by Patricia newman
5.0 out of 5 stars
The animated movie at it's best
I will try to keep the review short, because otherwise I would speak about the movie for several pages. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Wolfy223
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to train your dragon
What a fab film, we never saw it at the cinema, but my 7 year old loves it!! Great for big kids too
Published 15 days ago by C. Wells
5.0 out of 5 stars
makes you feel warm and fuzzy!
This film is great not just for children, but also for adults!! I watched this accidentally over Christmas and enjoyed it so much I brought the dvd the same day. Read more
Published 15 days ago by battydora
5.0 out of 5 stars
warm, entertainment!
loved it on TV, old fart now but a sucker for a warm entertaining story, was on TV again, missed it so bought the DVD 10/10, if you like the thought of DRAGONS which I do, THE... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Mr. R. Lane
5.0 out of 5 stars
For young and old alike
I bought this for my new 3D tv. It's FANTASTIC, one of the best films I have seen, the animation is amazing. I'm 62 years old and my grandchildren love it too.
Published 23 days ago by barneyjoe
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