the Informer

Courtesy of Colider.com

A clever concept. Kid friendly animation and a cast of familiar voices to college students combined into a movie that recently hit theaters and promises to satisfy a wide array or audiences. DreamWorks’ “How To Train Your Dragon” delivered with flying colors and made audiences fall in love with the cliché underdog protagonist.

Following the life of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a small, out of place weak excuse for a Viking in training, the story immediately takes viewers into the routine life of Vikings. Hiccup narrates how constant dragon attacks on his home village give Vikings a chance to shine by killing one of multiple dangerous level-ranked dragons. Engulfed in a chaotic attack on the village, Hiccup doesn’t miss a beat and sneaks out to try his hand at acceptance starting with killing his first dragon.

Complimented by amazing 3-D images and graphics, Hiccup’s initial thought of only grazing the most coveted dragon kill of all, the Night Fury, with his weapon turned out to be just the opposite. Desperate to prove to his respected village chief and father that he is suited to kill dragons, Hiccup sets out to find proof that he did take down the most mysterious dragon of all, the Night Fury, who is infamous for never missing a target.

Throughout the opening sequences I found myself thoroughly entertained with the film’s ability to hold my attention through interjected jokes and a lineup of interesting and creative characters.

Hiccup’s quest to conform became short lived upon stumbling on the dragon he had shot down. Unable to kill the whimpering creature, Hiccup instead releases it only to return periodically to observe its damaged tail.

Unable to fly, Hiccup eventually makes contact with the equally frightened dragon and begins building a connection and bond to his newfound friend discovering unknown things about dragons.

While simultaneously completing Viking training, Hiccup is torn between conforming and breaking away as he learns all the things the Vikings never knew about dragons, a result of living one-sided violent lives.

The film’s storyline is played out well, leaving no gaps or holes making it the ideal children’s movie. Its various elements kept me guessing and wanting more as the climax hit critical plot points.

An added bonus in the film came with the minor characters of Snotlout and Fishlegs played by “SuperBad” favorites Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Defying the laws of myth, history and gravity, “How To Train Your Dragon” kept a composed balance of plot and action that was nothing short of a really good movie. Flashing elements of DreamWorks previous films such as “Shrek” and “Kung Fu Panda,” this film mixed humor, action and morals well and created an enjoyable movie.

Although I haven’t seen the movie in its original 2-D format, I do recommend the 3-D experience as it suits the constant scenes of flying dragons and Viking battle training.

For a break from the realms of romantic comedies and disappointing remakes I recommend inquiring on how to train a dragon in 3D, it may just quench your appetite for a refreshing animated adventure.