A Great Franchise in the Making

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 2014)

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Exciting, emotionally resonant, and beautifully animated, "How to Train Your Dragon 2" builds on its predecessor's successes just the way a sequel should. The entire film is a romance - of visuals, of sprawling vistas, of the ecosystem, of parental sacrifice, of camaraderie, and mostly of the special bond one shares with a pet (don't the dragons, especially Toothless, bear a stark resemblance to our canine friends; not so much in their appearance but more in their mannerisms). It has a richness that's highly compelling; especially in the way it explores the complex relationship between man and beast. Moreover, it's got the emotional, humorous, exciting sweep you want from a summer movie. And hats off to Dreamworks for offering some bold surprises in a wonderful sequel, filled with copious moments of fun and resonating sequences, which genuinely tug at your heart strings. To achieve this among the film's ample noise and movement is all the more praiseworthy.
It's been five years since Hiccup and Toothless successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snotlout, and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island's new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories, and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and their mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.
Although there are times when bits of the movie feel extraneous, the production as a whole comes across more like an organic extension of the original tale than something tacked on purely to score at the box office; something that can't be said for most sequels of well- received blockbusters. This is truly a rare sequel - animated or otherwise - that expands the story of its predecessor without rehashing it, and an even rarer family-oriented film that manages to be fun and mature without being condescending to its audience. And yet, the sequel doesn't attempt to take things in a completely new direction, choosing instead to expand its world and characters with great success.
With multiple Oscar-nominated British cinematographer, Roger Deakins (Skyfall), advising, the film's visual work is beyond stunning. Another bright spot in the movie are its characters, they pile on the charm just like they did in the first film, and you end up actually looking forward to the third part. Credit for this must go to writer and Director, Dean DeBlois, along with the brilliant voiceovers - most noteworthy being those provided by Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jonah Hill, Kit Harington, Kristen Wiig, Craig Ferguson, and Djimon Hounsou.
Funny, big-hearted and - as you'd expect - a visual feast, this is a family film in every sense, and one to be lapped-up by both kids and grown-ups alike. It continues a very compelling mythology that I hope carries in to the third film. "How to Train Your Dragon 2" isn't just a great sequel, a great animated spectacle, or a great example of successful franchise-expansion/world-building. "How to Train Your Dragon 2" is flat-out great film, period.