A notable step up from the first, especially the animation quality.

Rating: 6/10 (29 November 2014)

I have to admit, I didn't like the first How To Train Your Dragon. I don't understand why it's been given the Pixar treatment of being fawned over so much. Perhaps it was just because it irritated me so much, Jay Baruchel is a lot more tolerable when he's on screen. However, with a recent and thoroughly enjoyable rewatch of Lilo & Stitch from Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders, I was open to appreciating this acclaimed sequel. And indeed, it is a step up. Free of juvenilities besides its humour, it approaches much more interesting if familiar archetypal territory. I'm still not a fan of its world, but the popular bond between Hiccup and Toothless is growing on me, especially during their introduction set to a Sigur Ros soundtrack. Unfortunately the film is quite misjudged during the introduction of Hiccup's mother. Their depiction of her comes off as cold and awkward. Perhaps that's what they were going for, but the film feels off. I must commend the animation upgrade that Dreamworks has undergone. The detail is tangible and astonishing, especially paired with the extraordinary scale certain scenes reach. I'm still not won over, but I may stick around for the third if it's as warmly received.
6/10