How to train your Dragon 2, English Hollywood Film Movie Review, Johnson Thomas, Rating: * * * 1/2

How to train your Dragon 2(English/3D) Rating: *  *  * ½ As beautiful and imaginative as the first installment, this one makes you want to be able to fly! Rich , Vibrant and colorful enough to entice even the most jaded of viewers.

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English Film review

Johnson Thomas

Breathtaking animated fantasy

Film: How to Train your Dragon 2 (3D/Animation)

Cast(Voices): Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill,Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, T.J. Miller, Kit Harington

Director: Dean DeBlois

Rating: *  *  * ½

Synopsis: Dragons and Vikings have finally made peace, but when the villainous Drago plots a massive invasion, it's up to Hiccup(voice of Jay Baruchel) and Toothless to save the day in this sequel from DreamWorks Animation

Review:

This is an immersive experience, one that only the best in 3-D animation can provide.  This sequel to one of  DreamWorks’ highest–grossing cartoon features, is that rare second instalment that hits new heights in almost every way. Just the opening with soaring and swooping dragon-racing aerial stunts sets the tone for what is to come later.

The first How to Train Your Dragon, in 2010, was something to behold.. The sequel is more elevating.

The treatment and story-telling craft on display here is thrilling- soaring through spectacular sjy laced backdrops and swooping right into even more spectacular land terrain. The theme here is rapprochement, family and using love to conquer evil and it’s done so nicely that it doesn’t come across as preachy.  Writer-director Dean DeBlois picks up the story from the first edition, with Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), who has coaxed his village, led by his viking dad (Gerard Butler), to live in peace with mythical creatures. He is now a confident young man who believes in communication which can solve all evil.  On his dragon steed, Toothless, Hiccup discovers that Eret (Kit Harington) is helping to build a dragon army for evil Drago (Djimon Hounsou).  On one of his trips to convince Eret of his folly, Hiccup bumps into Valka(Cate Blanchett) , the keeper of a dragon sanctuary, who aims to stop Drago. A few minutes into their meeting and Valka discovers that Hiccup is her long lost son. The one she was forced to abandon along with her husband.  Valka's ice castle is a visual marvel. She lives at the center of a visually stunning, dragon-safe sanctuary where winged reptiles of every color swarm overhead. An environment that ranks among the most incredible and stunning ever depicted in animation.  And Blanchett distinctive vocal performance, gives her a gritty persona- one who sacrificed family for the sake of the environment and it’s shunned creatures.  

 Drago is the embodiment of pure evil while  Valka is in contrast, generous and nature-respecting. She is a Jane Goodall type protector of the species while Drago is the hunter who kills for the pleasure of it.  

The vivid realization of various habitats is simply breathtaking. And so is the emotional expanse of the story which brings the family together and then throws them into a life and death struggle against evil.

 

As in the first "Dragon," the film depicts the hardsh existential realities alongside the beautiful landscapes. It also depicts respectful love in all it’s hues. Jay baruchel and Gerard Butler also do a bang ion job in their respective character skins.  Dragon 2, like The Empire Strikes Back, takes sequels to new heights. Conceptualising a wonder habitat and environment that relies purely on imagination and innovation.  And the heights achieved by the dragons are a wonder to behold!

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