Amongst the Best Animated Features in Years!

Rating: 9/10 (17 June 2014)

Believe every bit of hype you hear about this film. You will be hard pressed to see a better animated feature not only the rest of this year, but in the next few to come. It does something that not only animation films strive to do; But it does something that sequels strive to do as well. That is expanding their world even further with more excitement, more lovable characters, more emotion, and an overall more enthralling story. 'HTTYD2' does that and then some. It takes off with majesty and flair, leaving all other recent animated films in the dust (Yes including 'Frozen' and 'The Lego Movie"). This isn't a kids film. This is a film for everyone that's dying to be engulfed into what it feels like to be a kid.
What makes this film so wonderful is it's emotional grip, interwoven with it's immersive visuals. There are some very real themes here about the strength of friendship, courage, and family. I was amazed at how touched by the film I was. There was at least twice in this film I was really holding back the tears. It's been quite some time, probably since "Finding Nemo" that I've had that type of connect with an animated feature. I think one reason for this is how strong the voice cast is. It's not easy capturing personality and being expressive while doing voice over work. And this cast does as it as well as any I've ever heard.
And my oh my; The animation. It's incredibly to me what can be done with this realm of filmmaking. It's almost as if we shouldn't connect to the characters at all, because we know going in that they're 100% not real, and they can't be real. They're a cartoon. Yet we connect better with them than most human characters we meet. It's a sense of wonder. Animation also allows the 'camera' if you will, to travel to places that you could never shoot in live action. Shots soaring with dragons above the clouds, practically bringing you along for the ride. The textures of clothing, depths of colors, expressions of every character and creature; It all works perfectly. There were landscapes shots in this where the CGI totally felt gone, and I was looking at a real countryside or ocean view. It's that good.
Parents take your kids to see this now. Let them be absorbed into this beautifully crafted world. This isn't a film; It's a cinematic experience. An experience fit for ALL ages. The reason we go to the movies. Can you tell I loved it? I loved it.