The live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film How to Train Your Dragon has hit theaters, but the buzz surrounding it feels more like a slow sigh th...
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The live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film How to Train Your Dragon has hit theaters, but the buzz surrounding it feels more like a slow sigh than an excited roar. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film attempts to bring the vibrant world of dragons and Vikings to life but ultimately stumbles, dragged down by redundancy and a lack of originality.
Despite the star power of Gerard Butler and Nick Frost, the movie fails to ignite the same spark that made its animated predecessor a hit.
Directorial missteps in a familiar tale
Chris Sanders, the original animator behind the franchise, finds himself in an unusual position this summer.
While his earlier works, Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, pushed the envelope for their studios, the recent trend of live-action remakes seems to be a step back. Released by Disney and DreamWorks, these reboots are more of a safe play than a bold exploration of new storytelling avenues.
The latest installment stretches its runtime by 27 minutes, yet it feels like a mere rehash of the 2010 film. It’s not so much a remake as it is a scene-for-scene restaging. In fact, it raises the question: how do you take a beloved story and stretch it thin without adding anything fresh? Perhaps the dragons are just flying a bit more slowly now, or the Vikings need to walk a bit further between their huts.
Starring roles that miss the mark
Despite the film’s shortcomings, Butler and Frost put forth commendable efforts. Butler steps back into his role as Stoick the Vast, the village chieftain. He manages to exude a cartoony charisma that almost overshadows his animated counterpart. Meanwhile, Frost fills Craig Ferguson’s shoes as Gobber, the well-meaning blacksmith, who supports Hiccup (Mason Thames) in his quest to befriend rather than battle the local dragons.
But amid their comedic talent, the film is plagued by a common ailment seen in many animation-to-live-action conversions. Characters who once felt charming now come off as grating. Hiccup and his teenage companions, in particular, seem to embody every annoying cliché imaginable. Each one displays a single over-the-top personality trait, repeated to the point of irritation.
A clash of styles
The movie’s visual style struggles to find its footing. DeBlois employs a mixed approach, oscillating between caricature and photorealism. The Vikings come off as comedic figures dressed in whimsical costumes, while the dragons are depicted with a menacing edge that pushes the boundaries of the film’s PG rating. Toothless, the beloved dragon companion, remains largely unchanged, appearing just as cute and agile as in the animated trilogy, albeit rendered in higher resolution.
For its intended audience, How to Train Your Dragon: The Live Action may provide a couple of hours of entertainment. However, the experience leans more toward recognizing familiar scenes rather than reveling in new adventures. As Hollywood continues its monotonous cycle of reboots, one can’t help but wonder: is this the best we can do?
What lies ahead for the future of creativity in filmmaking? As the industry grapples with the rise of AI technology, one has to question whether these rehashed tales will continue to captivate or if they are simply placeholders in a rapidly evolving landscape.
PG rating, 125 minutes; in theaters starting June 9.
