A Great Sequel!

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2015)

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a rather great sequel to the original Dreamworks surprise hit. Just like the first film, we get another rousing product from the studios, which further expands on the world of the Vikings and dragons, as well as the expanding friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. The movie takes place five years after the original, so we get to see our heroes go through adolescent issues as they age in this original, creative world. The story is resonant and the characterization takes one step beyond from the original film. I also loved the beautiful animation, as it adds such a graceful step to the picture.
This film has Hiccup and Toothless returning after the events five years prior. Hiccup is getting trained on leadership, and his friends are expert dragon racers. All seems peaceful, except there is this sinister force which plans on enslaving all the dragons and this force threatens the homeland of Hiccup, so once again they must save the day.
The original cast returns and just like they did in the first film, they all do an amazing job. Gerard Butler, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, etc. There are a few key additions to the cast such as the ever-great Cate Blanchett as Hiccup's long-lost mother and Djimon Hounsou as one of the beings behind this sinister movement.
Overall, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a wonderful sequel to such a beloved animated film. The film is very pretty to look at and it features a high-octane story with plenty of scary moments, so little children should be warned. There is also an emotional side to the film, which I was happy to see. I had a great time with this film and its film like these that makes me believe in the movies. If anything, this should have won at the Oscars. But I haven't seen Big Hero 6....yet, so time will tell.
My Grade: A