Holds up after all this time. An amusing treasure of animation and a ride of a tale. We need more movies like this, and more Vikings!

Rating: 9/10 (7 May 2020)

When Dreamworks nails it, it nails it good. Few animated features capture Scandinavian folklore and spiritual representation of Vikings as this movie does. Surely, the helmets have horns and most of them are barbaric, but the subtleties in the designs, motivations and overall outcome of the story is quite inspiring and unique.
I never thought I needed a movie like this, a movie that while from the outside might seem as a generic vikings-vs-dragons movie holds so many themes and plot decisions that are surprisingly deep and emotionally moving. It doesn't cut back just for being a kid-targeted movie, it has double entendres and symbolisms that grants the movie many layers.
The setting and character set-ups and presentations are incredibly well-realised, every one of them is unique and their motivations and character arcs are coherent and plausible. While sometimes over the top, the main Viking, the portrayal of their mentality and the treatment of dragons as "pets" may rob the movie of benefiting from a resfreshing historical accuracy; it makes up in character growth and a sense of friendship and comradery that when well portrayed it's endearing to watch. The only few issues, and I mean the only ones, in my opinion, are found in the voice acting of Hiccup. The actor actually did a good job in this movie, is just that the actor's voice I really don't like it as in other occasions it doesn't come accross as a cute dork but rather a satirical portrayal of a dork. Fortunately the actor does a decent job in this film thanks to the writing. And the other issue I personally find it on the exaggerated designs of some of the dragons. The movie stays pretty solid and ,while it has cartoonish character designs, the textures and imagery are pretty realistic; is just that the designs can be too jarring if they are overly-exaggerated (the translation from the 2D concept designs that appear on the end credits to 3D models in my opinion are not of my taste, but again I had always had a less preference for those cartoon-network-styled pointy designs so it's just a personal preference)
It is one of those movies where you can figure the sort of premise it started out with (namely in the title) and realised how in the following brainstorm of ideas based on it molded the story it ended up with. As always, Dreamworks understands how to write and develop interesting and engaging characters, and this film is no exception. Added to the mesmerizingly jaw-drapping flight and action scenes, animal-like-captured dragon animation and traits; and an uplifting and adventurous soundtrack, and the film stands out for being unique in the genre and a welcome addition to the animation pantheon.
IN CONCLUSION, a self-contained, solid and moving film about a Viking kid that tries to prove to not only the village but his own father that he is one of them yes, but also something more. Themes of acceptance, open-mindedness and courage next to enthralling action spectacle make for a child-friendly as well as adult-friendly entertaining experience. A must-watch for animation fans and everyone for that matter. Big plus is, the sequels, as always with Dreamworks, hold on to the essence of the first one and also expand it coherently.