"This is Berk. Life here is amazing."

Rating: 10/10 (6 July 2014)

4 out of 4 stars.
Animated sequels can be a dangerous thing. I've seen plenty of animated sequels that just do what the first did, but bigger and louder. It's a shame when this happens, especially when the first one was good. However, Dean DuBlois' "How To Train Your Dragon 2" actually expands on the universe it built and does it beautifully.
The story follows Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and the dragon Toothless as they continue to explore the lands surrounding Berk and the dragons that live around them. Most of the cast from the first one has returned with Cate Blanchett, Djimon Hounsou, and Kit Harrington joining in. All of them do a great job and bring life to these characters.
This film is visually stunning. It's one of the most beautiful three dimensional animated films I've seen. John Powell's sweeping score complements the scenery and the grand scope of the film. There is more action in this film, but it doesn't overwhelm the story or characters. Everything feels balanced and progresses naturally. It doesn't just redo what it did in the first one. DeBlois explores new territories and gives these characters a story they deserve.
"How To Train Your Dragon 2" is great fun for all ages and does what a sequel should do. It's a beautiful looking film that is well written and has a great cast. It's one of the best animated films of the year and is just a really good film.