A beautiful film that matured along with it's characters

Rating: 8/10 (13 June 2014)

How to Train Your Dragon was a surprise hit, even to Dreamworks- the studio that released it. The masterfully animated and scored story of a boy and his dragon captured hearts and minds everywhere and naturally lead to a franchise. Much like it's predecessor film, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is packed full of tons of heart and humor but it does something unexpected, like it's characters- it grows up.
It's five years after the events of the first film. The little Viking town of Burk is now a bustling and active haven for dragons. When Hiccup (Baruchel) and his dragon, Toothless, discover an ice cave that is home to thousands of dragons and Hiccup's long lost mother. After meeting fellow dragon rider Valka (Blanchett), they must fight to defend the safety of dragon and human alike from the evil Drago (Djimon Hounsou), an evil dragon master who plans to build an army of dragons to control humans.
The whole gang is back and more hilarious than ever, but they are older now and have new fights and complaints. Snotlout (Jonah Hill) and Fishlegs (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) now vie for the affections of Ruffnut (Kristin Wiig). Astrid (America Ferrera) is now a full fledged Viking warrior woman and looks awesome flying her dragon around with just as much skill and bravery as Hiccup does. Hiccup is no long the scrawny, nerdy, and self-doubting lad he was before. He's a self assured twenty year old man who has found his place atop the back of his trusty dragon best friend, Toothless. Baruchel's voice is just as nasally as ever but when the movie turns serious he can pack an impressive emotional punch. Astrid and Hiccup are the cutest Viking couple and having now been together for years, they save the audience from any awkward first steps of love. It's refreshing to enjoy a young couple with a healthy relationship, making it possible for them to just be there for each other when they need it.
John Williams delivers another exuberant score and the music he composes is somewhat outside of his traditional canon. Williams usually arranges in a more classical realm, but like Toothless and Hiccup, he goes above the clouds and beyond with his Gaelic inspired and overwhelmingly beautiful pieces for the How to Train Your Dragon films.
There are many beautiful and poignant moments that make up HTTYD 2. One is an early conversation with Astrid and Hiccup- the scene is very well written and helps the audience naturally relax into their relationship. Another is a scene where Stoic (Butler), Hiccup's father, is reunited with his long thought dead wife. All of these little moments are so well written and exquisitely executed you might forget you are watching a movie made for children, and that is why these movies ascend from other Dreamworks pieces. Hiccup is faced with many adult emotions and it's fascinating to watch him explore them, but on the flip side it's also fun to see cute dragons show off some slapstick comedy. Just because a movie is marketed for children does not mean it can only be enjoyed by children. The How to Train Your Dragon movies are examples of lovingly crafted films made for everyone.

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