How to Train Your Dragon (2010),
Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois, rated PG
What started as fire and
fury will become friendship.
 Starring:
(the voice talents of:) Jay Baruchel, Randy Thom, America
Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher
Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, T.J. Miller, David Tennant
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Most people would leave.
Not us. We're Vikings. We... have stubbornness issues." -
Hiccup
Why watch this? It's
a wonderful, action-filled tale about Vikings and air-borne
dragons.
Plot Summary:
Viking 101: They kill dragons - all of the many kinds. On the
island village of Berk, chieftain Stoick the Vast, has a teen
son, Hiccup, who is a wiz with creating mechanical devices, yet
weak by dad's brawny standards. When Hiccup shoots down a rare
Night Fury dragon, nobody believes him. After searching the
nearby forest for the dragon's body, Hiccup finds the downed
beast very alive and kinda friendly. Meanwhile, Stoick enrolls
the lad in dragon-fighting class, as he once sails away to
destroy the monsters' nests. Hiccup desperately seeks his dad's
approval, but can he actually take a dragon's life?
Dad's Preview:
Of course, this beloved
animated treasure features misunderstood flying monsters, and
the Scottish norse-folk, who have killed the beasts for as long
as they can remember. There's also a loveable cadre of teenage
Vikes who strive to be the best dragonslayers. However, for me,
the core of this film is a broken relationship between a father
and his son. Once again, DreamWorks has put forth a delightful,
high-quality children's film. It also should resonate with many
adults, especially fathers who might have been too hard on their
sons. But rest assured folks, in this colorful adventure,
all will be put right by the end credits.

DreamWorks
Animation; Paramount Pictures |