With two feature films and countless Netflix series under their belts, the creative team behind the How to Train Your Dragon franchise is very comfortable. They are content to spend as much time as they need on their story, resulting in what may be the world’s first dragon-centric rom-com.
Toothless, the black dragon from the first two films, is back and gets his own story thread, as he meets a lovely white dragon and is instantly smitten. She’s not so sure about him at first, and his courtship attempts are more than a little awkward, but we all know he’s going to win her over eventually. The outcome of that romance is also obvious to his best human friend, Hiccup, the leader of the dragon-riding Vikings that live in the island village of Berk, and that’s where things get interesting.
In addition to figuring out how to deal with his dragon’s dating, Hiccup and his Vikings have their own problems. They’re being pursued by the drsgon hunter Grimmel and his massive fleet. Against some resistance, Hiccup decides that the Vikings’ best chance to survive is to find the hidden dragon world located beyond the edge of the world.
Hiccup and Toothless have both grown up a lot over the course of the trilogy, and they grapple with some fairly complex relationship-related issues in this third instalment. The result is an emotional third act as life pulls Hiccup and Toothless in very different directions and they have some hard choices to make.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World shows that we are still in the midst of a golden age for animation. The Hidden World is full of beautifully animated scenes, with particularly amazing lighting effects, but more importantly, it’s a story that my 40-something self could relate to, engage with, and be moved by. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a very enjoyable series.
This sounds fun. We still enjoy the first two. I thought they had a great story line. Sounds like this one does too.
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Good review. Seeing this movie tomorrow. Can’t wait to see it…
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Sounds like a winner Sean.
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I felt emotional all over again just reading this review. It is a fitting end to the trilogy.
Very interesting that they’ve always chosen to age the characters.
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I really enjoyed the armor – probably wrong to call it that since it’s all leather and dragon scales, but whatever.
I also liked that even though Hiccup’s all grown up, we also see him as a kid. Very nice animation.
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Well done all around. My 13YO loved it too, me for many of the reasons you listed
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I’m so glad they decided to end the movies on a high, rather than drag them out for money’s sake. The final act got me so emotional!
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I agree! Loved this series and was completely satisfied with how it ended.
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And doing well at the box office!
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Only with the review, you have made us awake the curiosity to see the movie.
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I loved the first one. I do want to see this. Hopefully soon.
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