For once, a great sequel

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2014)

If the first "How to Train Your Dragon" was an endearing introduction to the world of Vikings and dragons, the sequel is a full-throated immersion in the same.
At this point the Vikings of Berk have fully adopted the dragons into their lives and lifestyles. They race them, play with them, and they're all basically family members.
Hiccup is back, of course, as a hero for the Berkians who is settling into a minor existential crisis as the prospective Chief-in-waiting, a job he doesn't particularly seem to want. In fact he's happier exploring the outer reaches of his realm and mapping out as-yet unseen lands with his presumed lady-love, Astrid.
These adventures bring him into contact - and, ultimately, conflict - with dragon hunters lead by the evil (and somewhat ironically-named) Drago Bludvist who essentially holds dragons hostage, fearful to do his bidding.
As expected Drago - who seeks ultimately to control and/or eliminate all dragons - is on a mission to confront Hiccup - rumored to be, somewhat like Drago himself, a "dragon master" and ultimately control his dragons and head to Berk to finish them and him off. This leads of course to the biggest action sequences and conflicts between Hiccup - who only seeks peace - and Drago, who seeks anything but.
Most of the more important plot elements are spoilers so for the sake of this review I won't elaborate on them but suffice it to say the action is excellent, the story compelling, and the results of this second outing just about perfect.
Following up on what was really a fine, wonderful introduction to this universe of uber-macho Vikings and a wild variety of dragons with the first of this series, "HTTYD#2" proves to be a worthy successor, a fun, entertaining punch and joyous ride - on a dragon, no less.