Skip to main content

How to Train Your Dragon (2025)


How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is directed by Dean DeBlois, who also wrote and directed the original animated trilogy as well as Lilo & Stitch. His return to the property ensures a faithful live-action adaptation that honors the tone and emotional core of the original. Visually, the film captures the bond between humans and dragons, with the exception of some controversial choices in casting presentation.

Mason Thames, best known for The Black Phone, gives his best performance yet as Hiccup. He brings a believable vulnerability and growth to the role, matching the spirit of the original character while adding more emotional nuance in live-action.

Nico Parker plays Astrid and is strong in the role, though the decision to light and style her to resemble a white Viking, despite her mixed heritage, has sparked justified conversation. Despite that, Parker's acting is solid, and she handles the action and emotional beats well. You might remember her from Dumbo.

Gerard Butler returns as Stoick the Vast and delivers his best performance since 300. He brings power and presence to the role, portraying a commanding yet deeply conflicted father. His chemistry with Thames strengthens the core of the story.

Nick Frost and Julian Dennison provide the comic relief as Gobber and Fishlegs, respectively. Their timing and energy help keep the tone light when needed and match the spirit of their animated counterparts. Frost you'll remember from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. While Dennison you'll remember from Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

This remake doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a loving adaptation that succeeds in casting, direction, and emotional depth, even if not without controversy. Result: B+

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psycho Killer (2026)

Psycho Killer (2026) is a religious-tinged detective thriller that leans far more into procedural tension than outright horror. Directed by Gavin Polone , who is better known as a producer than a filmmaker, the movie benefits heavily from its screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker , the writer behind Se7en . His fingerprints are all over this. The writing is sharp, layered with foreshadowing that only fully clicks at the end, and structured in a way that constantly feels like it is building toward something inevitable. The gorgeous  Georgina Campbell plays the detective tracking down the titular killer, and she carries the film with confidence. You'll remember her from Barbarian and recently Cold Storage.  The script gives her plenty of emotional range to explore, from controlled professionalism to visible cracks under pressure. She handles the lore-heavy exposition well and grounds what could have been overwhelming backstory. It is another strong showing for her and proof she c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cold Storage (2026)

Cold Storage (2026) is a sci fi horror thriller that surprised me in a good way. The writing is solid enough that it actually calmed some of my worries about Disclosure Day coming later this year since the same writer is involved. The story holds together and stays engaging, even when the visuals do not. The CG is laughably bad at times, but the acting/chemistry keeps the movie watchable. Jonny Campbell directs, with the screenplay by David Koepp , known for Jurassic Park and Spider-Man . His writing here is tighter than expected, which is why it gives me more confidence about Disclosure Day. The direction is straightforward and lets the script do most of the work, even if the effects budget clearly limits what can be shown on screen. He needs a redemption after  Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Joe Keery , known for Stranger Things and Free Guy , is the main reason I showed up. He proves he can handle a leading role after Stranger Things and carries the film with a relax...
Post a Comment
Read more