How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action)

It’s Like the Animated One, But With Real Humans and a Dragon You Can Almost Pet (If You’re Brave)

DreamWorks has decided it’s time to remake one of the most beloved animated films of all time—because apparently we live in a timeline where every great movie eventually becomes a live-action reboot with more lens flare and emotionally intense teenage side-eyes. Enter the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.

Mason Thames plays Hiccup, the misunderstood Viking teen with a haircut that says “I journal.” Nico Parker is Astrid, the no-nonsense warrior girl who somehow looks terrifying even while holding a flower. And Gerard Butler returns as Stoick the Vast, because he’s legally required to yell with a Scottish accent in any movie involving swords or fatherhood.

The dragon, Toothless, is now rendered in full ultra-HD realism, which means you’ll probably feel deeply bonded to him by the end of the movie—or at least mildly betrayed when he doesn’t exist in real life. He’s still got the big expressive eyes, the catlike reflexes, and the ability to make grown adults cry with one blink.

I haven’t seen the movie, but I have watched the trailer 37 times, read every headline, and accidentally joined a Facebook group called “Toothless Truthers.” So I’m qualified. Internet discourse is torn: some people say “It’s beautiful and nostalgic,” while others are furious that the dragons don’t look like the animated versions, even though they still breathe fire, which feels like the bigger deal.

Also, there was minor controversy about Astrid’s casting, because no one can simply enjoy anything anymore without arguing about it in 240-character increments. Still, reviews are already calling it “visually stunning” and “a faithful reimagining,” which is critic code for “Please don’t yell at us on Twitter.”

There’s probably a heartfelt montage where Hiccup learns to trust himself by flying directly into danger. There’s probably a scene where Stoick screams, “He’s not ready!” while a village burns in the background. And there’s absolutely a moment where Toothless does that little head tilt and every audience member immediately forgives the entire Hollywood remake machine.

In conclusion, How to Train Your Dragon (live-action) is soaring back into theaters to make you cry, cheer, and maybe Google “How much does it cost to adopt a CGI dragon?”

I give it 4 out of 5 dramatic flight sequences, with bonus points for every time someone learns an important life lesson mid-air.