How To Train Your Dragon represents a somewhat stop-gap for Dreamworks this year: with no feature films out so far by the studio in 2010, and a two-month wait until the final Shrek flick hits cinemas, it wouldn't be unexpected for this adaptation of a 2003 children's novel to be by-the-books and lacklustre; yet surprisingly Dragon manages to gain enough pace in its second half to prove a decent romp for kids and parents alike. The plot, centred around the time of the Vikings and seeing young Hiccup form an unlikely alliance with a Dragon (its race happening to be his clan's sworn enemies), is- as can only be expected with a PG- a predictable one with only a few twists providing even a hint of excitement, but the superb voice acting and (as per usual) brilliant animation manage to save Dragon from becoming yet another failed effort, with roles and cameos going to well-knowns Gerard Butler and David Tennant (almost gaining this a 5/5 from this reviewer, a huge Who fan), all of which are used to the story's advantage. At just under 2 hours, there's certainly enough to keep both generations entertained, and for once the addition of the third-dimension to the motion picture actually raises the overall score. I'd call this a must-watch, but the rating stands as Dragon will probably not withstand many second viewings.
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Thursday, 1 April 2010
How To Train Your Dragon Review (4/5)
How To Train Your Dragon represents a somewhat stop-gap for Dreamworks this year: with no feature films out so far by the studio in 2010, and a two-month wait until the final Shrek flick hits cinemas, it wouldn't be unexpected for this adaptation of a 2003 children's novel to be by-the-books and lacklustre; yet surprisingly Dragon manages to gain enough pace in its second half to prove a decent romp for kids and parents alike. The plot, centred around the time of the Vikings and seeing young Hiccup form an unlikely alliance with a Dragon (its race happening to be his clan's sworn enemies), is- as can only be expected with a PG- a predictable one with only a few twists providing even a hint of excitement, but the superb voice acting and (as per usual) brilliant animation manage to save Dragon from becoming yet another failed effort, with roles and cameos going to well-knowns Gerard Butler and David Tennant (almost gaining this a 5/5 from this reviewer, a huge Who fan), all of which are used to the story's advantage. At just under 2 hours, there's certainly enough to keep both generations entertained, and for once the addition of the third-dimension to the motion picture actually raises the overall score. I'd call this a must-watch, but the rating stands as Dragon will probably not withstand many second viewings.
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