Well if I thought Alice in Wonderland was a cool piece of 3D work, that certainly took a hit when I saw How to Train Your Dragon. The graphics were amazing, the story line was incredibly good and, of course, now I want a pet dragon. In the movie, a scrawny Hiccup would do anything to show his fellow Vikings that he has what it takes to fight off the local threats - dragons. Too bad his efforts usually end up worsening the situation. His status as an outcast is only made worse by the fact that his burly dad, named Stoick no less, is the town's chief and embarrassed by his son. But in his attempts to prove that he can kill with the best of them, Hiccup befriends a wild dragon and discovers that what he and the Vikings know about the creatures is completely wrong.
This was yet another film I had no intention of seeing, but for some reason A. really did (something about good reviews or whatever.) Well I was captivated from the get-go. You quickly get wrapped up first in a boy's wish to belong and then in the bond between him and his dragon as if it were any other domesticated animal. The climax had me on the edge of my seat, freaked and clutching onto A.'s arm (dragons are no joke, people), but that's when I understood why Alice just wasn't up to par with work like this. This was what good 3D looked like; the movie truly came to life. It sucked you in and the flames engulfed you. The only trouble I had was that I had to wear my prescription glasses under my 3D glasses and constantly adjust them to see the movie well, which gave me a slight headache and some cross-eyed action, but trust me it was worth it.
Another quick point: after the movie A. and I brought up the same observation. Toothless, Hiccup's fire-breathing pet, reminded us an awful lot of another misunderstood creature: Disney's Stitch. Can you see the resemblance?
They're each feared and seemingly ferocious, but inside both is a cuddly monster with a toothy grin just waiting to come out and play. And come to think of it, Lilo and Stitch shared a similar bond: just two lonely souls looking for some understanding and friendship. Although if I had my pick, I'd totally go with the dragon. Way cooler.
How to Train Your Dragon (on IMAX 3D): 5/5 Toasties
Images: howtotrainyourdragon.com, liveforfilms.wordpress.com and disney-clipart.com
They're each feared and seemingly ferocious, but inside both is a cuddly monster with a toothy grin just waiting to come out and play. And come to think of it, Lilo and Stitch shared a similar bond: just two lonely souls looking for some understanding and friendship. Although if I had my pick, I'd totally go with the dragon. Way cooler.How to Train Your Dragon (on IMAX 3D): 5/5 Toasties
Images: howtotrainyourdragon.com, liveforfilms.wordpress.com and disney-clipart.com
I'm taking my kids to see that this week. :)
ReplyDeletestopping in from SITS...good to see a review on this. wondering what the movie would be like for my girlies. sounds like a good shot! nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThe coolest part about the movie, to me, was that it was funny and entertaining without using all the hip pop culture jokes.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be checking this out. Love it when I get good recommendations from other moms!
ReplyDeleteYeah...I'm not a mom. Nowhere near actually. But thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, why haven't you introduced me to my little niece or nephew??? You been holding out on me??
ReplyDeleteP.S. Sigh, this movie would only remind me of the sadness that is Puff the Magic Dragon... =(
Why? What happens to Puff?!
ReplyDeleteThere's something incredibly freeing about a good child's film! Wall-E made me feel cleansed for days.
ReplyDeletep.s. still loving how you use toast as rating systems :D
Wow! a FIVE toasts!! I gotta see this one!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh.. What happened to Puff was sad... he and Jackie go back to the land of Honah Lee were they find the land despoiled and desolate and that leaves Puff powerless... but the story is really about Jackie... who struggles to overcome his speech problems.
Stephen, oh I loved Wall-E. It was so simple and heartfelt :)
ReplyDeleteAnd of course I used to toasts! It was either that or sticks of butter.
Intense Guy, I knew you'd appreciate it. You've been asking for a 5 toaster for months. I don't see many movies so I'm glad this one turned out so good. But I have to admit I was going to give it a 4.5, but A. enjoyed it so much he moved me to give it the extra .5 toast. I really think you're going to like this one since you're a total child at heart like us :)
I'm a horrible movie-goer, but this makes me want to take T. Or maybe I'll send Hubs and T. Yeah, that's what I could do. And I could take a nap.
ReplyDeleteI have to take my girls to see this - do you think they'll like it? I hope so!
ReplyDeleteI have been debating seeing this movie. Now I totally am going to go. Thanks for the awesome review.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated SITS day.