A Sequel You Will Never Forget!

Rating: 9/10 (14 June 2014)

A quick confession before starting this review. When How to Train Your Dragon came out in 2010, I thought it was a silver lining in the underwhelming slate of Dreamworks films. It had interesting characters, beautiful animation and imagery, a brilliant concept, and an even more brilliant musical score. And unfortunately, I did not see the original film until after its theatrical release when it happened to be on HBO. After fixing this mistake I felt an instant feeling of regret. It had a strong message and overall theme that made me realize animated movies can still pack a punch like they used to. And now four years later we finally have a sequel. And I saw it in IMAX 3D!
Did it deliver?.....
Absolutely! Many talks early in development for this sequel was that it was going to be handled in a style alike to "The Empire Strikes Back". I could personally agree that the film is more than worthy of such a title. The story this time around features an older and much more adventurous Hiccup and the undoubtedly lovable Toothless adventuring what lies beyond their home of Berk, until they discover a threat to their new found peace. There is a five year time jump that shows us how much these characters have grown, physically and progressively, which gives you more to be invested with. Hiccup still has his wit and spirit, but is still shy of how some aspects of the world work. It's a large theme that runs its coarse, and pays off in ways that one couldn't of seen coming.
For a movie with an aim mostly at young kids, it can pack a very emotional punch. Every actor in the roster brings everything they have and more to the table. Rather it's Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler as Hiccups father Stoick, or the fantastic addition of Cate Blanchett as the mysterious dragon riding liberator Valka. And if you thought the score for the first film by John Powell was good? He outdoes himself. Every time you think a scene couldn't get any more exciting or even heartbreaking his majesty plays each instrument as if they were individual emotions. And with the brilliant addition of Icelandic musician Jónsi, there is a particular with Hiccup and Toothless flying side by side in which he sings along with the John Powell's theme. It was one of the most exhilarating and heartwarming things I've ever witnessed on the screen.
This summer has had no shortage of great movies. Rather they are about a giant radioactive lizard, a patriotic super hero, or time traveling mutants. But having a movies whose heart that's just as powerful as it's visual trills takes the spot on my list. From it's stunning imagery to the emotional guy punches. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is not only the best animated movie of the year, but it's one of the best in general. And that applies as well to sequels in general, for I will be returning to the cinema again to help ease my anticipation for the next one!