"Good dragons under the control of bad people do bad things."

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2014)

If you loved How to Train Your Dragon (2010) like i did, you will like it's sequel. I say "like" and not "love and absolutely adore and poop rainbows out of joy" because in my opinion the focus has changed from the first movie to this one.
Warning: SPOILERS.
THINGS I LIKED ABOUT HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2:

a movie that is actually worth watching in 3D

on that note: gorgeous animation

speaking of gorgeous: Hiccup, once again voiced by Jay Baruchel, being even cuter and more handsome than ever ♡ such a little heart-breaker ;)

nice character development due to the five year gap between the two movies (which is mostly good because it shows a different range of emotions and reactions, but also slightly sad because we don't get to see Hiccup as an awkward teenage boy anymore)

the overall tone of the movie which was darker and more mature than it's prequel

corresponding with the time leap

while still being colourful, playful and visually all over the place

the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless (loads of "aaww" moments)

in general loads of cute Toothless moments where he acts like a doggy or melts your heart with his trusting big eyes

Stoick's death (similar to Hiccup losing one leg in the first film, i'm so glad they didn't go for the everyone-is-happy and everything-is-perfect Hollywood ending!)

same goes for: Toothless being the one who kills Stoick (nice emotional quandary!)

the dragon sanctuary

Hiccup's reaction to his mother's revealing (thank you for not just putting up with such a huge disclosure)

the old lady - who seems to be the tribe's shaman - that looks like one of the sheep and is constantly covered by dragon babies, lol

i shouldn't have to mention this because this was also the case in the first movie but: i love the strong Scottish (?) dialect they chose for the Viking tribe, especially Stoick and Gobber

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2:

Drago Bludvist (i'm sorry but a) he was too stereotypical as the dark ugly villain, b) had no depth of character at all, and was c) not even scary. just plain ugly and insane with his ridiculous weapon-swinging and screaming. geez.)

a little too much action and too little time to properly tell the story. so much thing is going on! instead of eye-popping spectacles such as the gigantic battle and emotionally charged scenes i would've preferred the "simplicity" of the first film that focused more on the very witty and endearing relationships between the characters, both human and beastly (in most cases a smaller plot makes for a deeper and therefore better story...)

the explanation of Valka's (his mother's) absence. why exactly was she convinced that her absence would be best for Hiccup and the village?!

so... how did Drago and his fleet know where to find the secret dragon sanctuary? why didn't they know the location before? and how could Drago actually have control over the Alpha, if this ancient being is the mightiest dragon creature of all? or was the grey Alpha evil by nature, just because it was "dark" and the good Alpha was "white"...? not very convincing.

What can i say. I did enjoy HTTYD 2 very much - just not as much as the first one. Mostly because the storyline is not quite as straightforward as the original's.
I'm curious if there will be a third one. And a forth one, like they did with Shrek. If they do (EDIT: i just read that there is in fact going to be a Part 3 that is to be released in 2016!), i bet we will see Hiccup and Astrid happily married and reigning over Berk with at least one (if not more) adorable baby that is riding on an adorable baby dragon... and of course Toothless is going to meet another night fury to become his mate, i bet! Mark my words ;)