The movie have the heart of a chief, and the soul of a dragon. It was a great watch.

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2014)

Without spoiling too much, the movie was pretty good. Still, there are some questions that need to be asked. Honestly, why is this movie still call, 'how to train your dragon 2'? There wasn't much footage of human training dragons, here. Even, the tagline says that 'the training is over'. The movie should had been call, 'How to Control your Dragon?". Since, that's most of the plot of this. Still, how to train your dragon 2 is amazing. I'm a huge fan of the first one that came out in 2010, and this sequel did not disappoint. Visually, it was beautiful as the CGI animation was outstanding. The flight scenes take your breath away as usual, and battle action was captivating. Lots of scenery porn. It's a must-see and it has to be 3D. Like the last movie, it's loosely based on the book series of the same name by Cressida Cowell. The film is written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Since Dean Deblois wasn't involved with the DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk 2012 TV series and says that he didn't take it into consideration when writing this movie, but that doesn't necessarily make this film non-canon. The third season of the show will apparently bridge the gap between the two. Indeed, the film does a good job recapping the events of the last film. Does the audience really need a sum up in the first ten minutes, of what happen in the last film? I could do without the same recycle narrative as the last movie. I think, most people whom going to watch this, at less, saw the first film. It felt forced as hell. Anyways, the events of this film take place, five years after the Viking had made peace with the dragons. Searching for new lands, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) discovered that an insane conqueror, Drago Bludvist (Voiced by Djimon Hounsou) is looking forward to getting hold of the Kingdom of Berk's large supply of dragons to help him control the world. I do have to believe, that Drago Bludvist is creepy and menacing, but he's indeed a one-dimensional evil character that was a bit over the top. There are hints of a deeper backstory, but these aren't explored beyond a token mention. Then again, that may be entirely the point: Hiccup learns that not all enemies can be reasoned with. Honestly, like how on earth, did he train Alpha dragon to do his duties?? I love the main cast. Jay Baruchel as Hiccup is just as great as the original film. I can't see anybody else, playing the role. Hiccup's sub-plot is pretty interested, but pretty predictable, when the first time, you heard what Hiccup's father, Stoick the Vast (Gerald Butler) got in store for him. You knew, that somebody is going to make it to the end of the film. As much as I love Cate Blanchett in epic movie; her presence as Valka in the film is a bit out of place and come out of nowhere. Valka's reasons for leaving Hiccup are a bit dumb. I love how Toothless, the dragon remind me of a really big house cat. It's so cute. By far, the dragons are the most interesting things in the film. I love the new dragons, they introduce in the film. I did find the supporting cast to be a bit annoying. I really can't stand, all of them. I can do without the sub-plot of Snotlout (Voiced by Jonah Hill) & Fishlegs (Voiced by Christopher Mintz-Piasse) fighting over Ruffnut (Voiced by Kristen Wiig). While, I do love Gobber (Voiced by Craig Ferguson), he sounds too much like Shrek to me. None of the new characters like Eret (Kit Harington) catch my interested. I wasn't kinda hoping, not to see his goofy self, again more in the film. The new character designs looked great. The credits roll over the film's concept art, which is just as gorgeous as the film itself. The movie score is beautiful by Jon Thor Birgisson & John Powell. Somehow the Norwegian release of this film, had an different song "Into a Fantasy" by Alexander Rybak, but both versions are epic to hear. The pacing was alright for the most part, but there were some slow areas in the beginning, that could had speed up. For a movie about how much Drago is a threat. You don't see him, until middle of the 102 minutes, film. In my opinion, as much as I like this movie. I think the original movie was better. It had way better character development, better story, and just fun to watch. There were a lot of dark moments in this PG film, but not as gritty as the last film. There are some frighten moments that might be too scary for little children. It's watchable for an adult due to its depth about the mental outlook of a person when face with a disability. You see, how Hiccup doesn't allow his disability to stop him from living a mostly positive life, and you see how Drago took shame of disability to a dark path. Also, the film had the first openly homosexual character in a Dreamworks animation film that might find some LGBT fans rooting for him. I do think the film has a positive message about overcoming obstacles, friendship, and the quest of resolving conflict through peaceful terms. I have to say, don't watch the trailers. As the first full-length trailer gives away Valka's role and who is the Big Bad guy. Just watch it as soon as possible. Overall: It was a good movie, and I loved every minute of it.