6/12 ForReel Score | 2.5/5 Stars

Within an era where live action remakes and reimaginings dominate the current box office landscape, it seems inevitable that a studio like Dreamworks would seek to dip their toes into this format with one of their properties. And there’s likely no better or more prevalent property to experiment with than their How To Train Your Dragon franchise. To say this series has left an indelible mark on pop culture is an understatement. With a variety of spin offs and sequels, popular pieces of merchandise, and even a new land opening at Universal’s newest theme park Epic Universe, it’s a series that has attracted nostalgia and emotional connection for a variety of fans around the world.

Yet, ultimately, one of the main questions that might be at the forefront of many fans’ minds is how the new live action remake of How To Train Your Dragon manages to execute the source material through a new stylistic lens without compromising the same emotional core that made the original film work so well. However, fans of the original film can rest easy knowing that the newest live action remake of “How To Train Your Dragon” manages to capture the original film’s spirit and thematic depth in a nuanced and insightful fashion without tarnishing or changing the spirit of its source material. Yet, ultimately, I left this film feeling hollow and empty, with a film that superficially looks and feels the same yet also calls to question the inherent intent and purpose of not just this film, but the vast majority of live action remakes within the film sphere in general.

Much like its source material, How To Train Your Dragon follows Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), a young Viking living on the island of Berk who seeks to become a fierce dragon killer much like his father before him in order to prove his worth to not just himself, but the rest of his village as well. Through happenstance, Hiccup manages to capture a mythical Night Fury, a mysterious breed of dragon of which there is no prior knowledge or recollection. On the eve of killing such a creature and cementing his legacy, Hiccup hesitates, and begins to realize there might be more to these complex and beautiful creatures than meets the eye. This begins a long and involved friendship between himself and the dragon (whom he has now named Toothless) in which he learns more not just about himself, but about the grand picture of humanity and nature itself.

In crafting a world like Berk through a live action specific lens, one of the highest points of praise within this film is how Dean DeBlois and his team have taken such a vibrant and well realized world within the original film and translated it into a physical setting that looks and feels real. Through the use of intricate set design and detail, combined with seamless CGI effects work on the dragon creatures, the island of Berk feels like a distinct physical property, which heightens the realism of such a world and makes audiences feel fully immersed into the setting. In this regard, it’s also clear how talented Dean DeBlois is as a filmmaker. Many of the shots within this film are conveyed with explicit and intended purpose, showcasing a nuance behind the camera that really works in the film’s favor. DeBlois is one of the finest examples of an animation director moving into the live action medium, in which he takes the skills and tools required to convey a story within animation and translates it into a live action medium in a way where the setting and characters feel so colorful and richly detailed, crafting a complex world that audiences almost want to jump into themselves.

Much as was the case with the original film, the centralized and flourishing relationship that occurs between Toothless and Hiccup throughout is truly the heart and soul of the film. These moments are simultaneously tender and affecting, imparting a deep emotional connection that audiences can’t help but feel themselves over the course of the runtime. In conveying this character, Mason Thames truly shines as Hiccup, bringing his own unique flourish to the character to avoid imparting what might feel like a cheap impersonation, yet also retaining many qualities from the original’s characterization that feel familiar. As the film progresses, both Toothless and Hiccup’s relationship builds to a peak, culminating in breathtaking sequences of flight that are absolutely stunning, especially in a large scale premium format like IMAX or Dolby.

The film overall is as rousing, emotionally layered, and, above all, impactful as the original film was. Although around twenty minutes are added to this film’s runtime in comparison to the original’s, you really don’t feel the extended length in any regard, save for some dialogue changes and shot composition. Yet, although the film succeeds in remaining a faithful adaptation of the source material, the film is ultimately an enigma in that it executes the source material in such a profound and masterful way, but it ultimately still rings as hollow and somewhat empty at the end of the day. When watching this film as a diehard fan of the franchise, you might ask yourself: is this film truly necessary in any sense of the word? We as audiences are watching these moments that are portrayed as shot for shot from the animated film, yet some of the magic is ultimately lost in execution here. It’s a film that truly makes you want to rewatch the animated version instead of seeking out this reimagining for a second viewing.

Dean DeBlois is a talented filmmaker inside of the animation sphere, and that much is certain. Ever since 2010, DeBlois has devoted his career to this franchise, with sequels, spinoffs, and now, a live action reimagining. And while such efforts have not been in vain, as he’s been able to successfully capture the franchise’s same magic in each entry on some variation, I would also like to see DeBlois once again experiment with a new property in order to showcase his talented and unique vision on something outside of a major franchise, either within the animation or live action medium, as it’s clear he could potentially have a future within the latter if he so chooses. With a live action sequel to this film already in the works, it will be interesting to track whether DeBlois chooses to stay towards the uncompromising vision of crafting a shot for shot remake for the sequel, or whether he will impart any changes to his source material that bring the next film to a newer audience in a major way.

Movie Review: “How To Train Your Dragon” Is A Faithful Yet Conflicting Adaptation