Filming on location significantly enhances the overall impact of movies, particularly live-action remakes of animated classics from recent years. Many of these adaptations have been criticized for their lack of artistic depth and overreliance on technology, often failing to live up to their original counterparts. However, the live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” stands out as an exception, seamlessly integrating human actors and real locations that beautifully capture the essence of the fictional island of Berk and other Scandinavian landscapes portrayed in the film. This blend of reality and fantasy serves as a poignant reminder of the power and value of the genuine, even within the realm of a visually stunning children’s tale about magical dragons.
A significant factor might be that the 2010 film was computer-animated rather than hand-drawn, which may have contributed to its lack of the classic, nostalgic charm. However, this beloved movie, directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders (the duo behind Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, incidentally), skillfully combined action and emotion, giving its characters a depth that made their fantastical challenges seem real. This allowed us to empathize with them, imagining ourselves in their positions – possibly one reason why the movie was such a success, and why many parents found themselves rewatching it frequently with their children over the years.
In the latest movie by DeBlois, the storyline closely follows a familiar pattern, almost like a replica in some scenes, even using similar dialogues. The protagonist, Hiccup (portrayed by Mason Thames), while not as skinny as his animated counterpart, is still frail and hesitant, far from the dragon-slaying hero his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), expects him to be. Eager to prove himself, Hiccup catches and wounds a Night Fury, an elusive and dangerous type of dragon. However, he discovers he cannot bring himself to kill the creature. Instead, he covertly befriends it, naming it Toothless. He learns to interact with and command this beast, and contemplates a radical change in the relationship between his village, which worships dragons, and the fire-breathing dragons they’ve been battling for ages.
This remake maintains the original storyline, characters, and many identical shots, even reusing the iconic music by composer John Powell. However, instead of a repetition, this new version seems authentic – as if the narrative has found its unique identity. The audience will now be immersed in the thrill of soaring over this magnificent landscape, and this experience significantly contributes to the plot.
The first ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ seemed to yearn for something more than just animation. It was released only a few months after James Cameron’s groundbreaking film ‘Avatar’, and it captured a similar desire to immerse oneself in a world where one could domesticate fearsome, vibrant mythical creatures. Both films were made simultaneously and independently, and they both struck familiar grand, emotional chords (There’s even a hint of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ in Cameron’s sequel ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. All these outcast-tames-a-mythical-creature narratives share the same current of wish fulfillment.).
In DeBlois’ portrayal, the universe filled with hamlets, grand halls, crude artifacts, and colossal weapons gains tangible substance and density. He skillfully frames Stoick, Butler’s character, from various angles that emphasize his towering stature and expansive girth; at moments, he appears almost mythical in scale. Butler imbues the role with a rugged sensitivity: He exudes an intimidating presence, yet immediately evokes the tender, protective feelings he has for his delicate son. With this opportunity to embody the character he’s voiced in numerous animated films, the actor appears incredibly liberated.
In the new version of the story, the computer-generated dragons blend seamlessly into our tangible environment, although they may appear less vibrant and whimsical compared to before, reflecting the increased seriousness of the live-action setting. Toothless remains largely unchanged: a large-eyed, round-faced creature that exudes an endearing charm reminiscent of your beloved pet. Despite this, he doesn’t seem out of place, and his inherent cuteness plays a crucial role in conveying the basic human aspects of the narrative without losing sight that at its core, this is still a fairy tale that has matured slightly. Balancing these two elements effectively – stirring the emotions of original fans while providing meaningful purpose to the new version – is no small feat; yet, the live-action adaptation manages it exceptionally well, making it an unusual success.
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2025-06-13 18:54