It’s intriguing to think back on how Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, the directors of Lilo & Stitch, stepped in at the last minute to direct How to Train Your Dragon. Given the short timeframe (usually, big-budget American animated films take four years to create), they managed to make a significant impact on this cinematic adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s 2003 book of the same name. Despite their late entry into production, the duo left an undeniable mark on the film. Characters like Hiccup and Toothless share similarities with Lilo and Stitch, while the love for nature that Sanders expressed in Stitch and The Wild Robot was evident in Dragon’s message about treating dragons as equals.
Similar to how the film The Emperor’s New Groove managed to incorporate a multitude of unusual comedic moments due to a tight production timeline, I believe that Dragon‘s most imaginative ideas likely emerged from Sanders and DeBlois rushing towards the finish line. Given that they were up against an experienced Oscar-nominated duo, adding more complexity to the DreamWorks Animation process might have caused further delays. Consequently, Dragon included extended sequences of captivating dialogue-free visuals, a palpable sense of peril, and even had Hiccup lose his leg – elements that 2000s animation studio executives would likely have rejected under normal circumstances.
In 2025, the big screen will once again showcase the return of “How to Train Your Dragon” as a live-action adaptation. What was once a unique and daring creation by its directors is now a more conventional reenactment of what was before. This new rendition of “Dragon” seems to focus on meeting audience expectations rather than challenging them.
Due to its strong adherence to the original movie, DeBlois’ screenplay (with DeBlois once again directing, but without Sanders) sticks closely to a familiar tale. In this story, young Hiccup (portrayed by Mason Thames), a timid teenage Viking on the island of Berk, frequently encounters dragons along with other residents of the area. For the people of Berk, slaying these creatures is an integral part of their existence, particularly Stoick the Vast (played by Gerard Butler), Hiccup’s powerful father and leader of the island.
In the story, when Hiccup hits a legendary Night Fury dragon, he initially plans to slay it. However, instead of killing the creature, he sets it free. It’s impossible for him to kill a dragon. Hiccup then names this grounded dragon, Toothless, and the two form a strong bond that allows Hiccup to learn more and more about creatures like Toothless, which he and his peers such as Astrid (portrayed by Nico Parker) have been taught to view only as dangerous weapons.
2025’s version of “How to Train Your Dragon” seems like listening to someone else watch the original animated “Dragon” in the next room from your bedroom. There’s a faint echo of nostalgia, but with just a few enhancements – more screen time for Astrid, an odd subplot involving the jock Viking Snotlout (Gabriel Howell) and his detached father Spitelout (Peter Serafinowicz), and expository dialogue that feels heavy-handed. Repeatedly comparing this new “Dragon” to its superior animated predecessor doesn’t create an immersive theatrical experience; instead, it emphasizes how heavily this new film is leaning on past successes.
It’s not beneficial that certain aspects from the original animated version struggle to fit within the realistic filmmaking approach used by DeBlois. Characters like Stoick and Gobber (played by Nick Frost), in particular, appear noticeably out of place as real-life characters due to their overly stylized features such as large beards and massive chins. These characteristics were deliberately designed in animation to represent idealized masculine traits. In this live-action adaptation, DeBlois opts against using more artistic camera work and set design while still trying to maintain the exaggerated qualities of Stoick and Gobber. Consequently, the cartoonish elements of these two characters become a challenge. As a result, Butler and Frost seem to be wearing costumes and facial prosthetics that seem to overshadow their physical appearances.
Stoick and Gobber demonstrate the delicate blend of realistic depth and animation-friendly character development that’s characteristic of “How to Train Your Dragon.” However, the emotional heart of the story appears less profound, resembling a repetitive performance for a muted encore. The live-action adaptation, including its framing and editing, meticulously recreates scenes such as Toothless pressing his face against Hiccup’s palm or Stoick expressing pride in Hiccup. Yet, these moments seem to drain their vitality, as they are not enhanced by qualities unique to live-action filmmaking. Instead, they appear as forced emotional moments, constantly reminding viewers of a movie they have already experienced. The staging and execution of these scenes lack originality, relying heavily on the nostalgia of the original film.
Repeating too much of the 2010’s “How to Train Your Dragon” isn’t beneficial for this remake. While it might not outshine other films in comparison, this new “Dragon” stands out with its visually impressive and polished presentation, surpassing many live-action Disney remakes. Director Dean DeBlois and cinematographer Bill Pope bring Berk to life through stunning Irish landscapes and intricately designed sets. Unlike Disney’s flesh-and-blood adaptations such as “Snow White” and “Aladdin,” which inhabit plastic-looking artificial worlds, this new Dragon doesn’t disappoint visually. Even “Lilo & Stitch” transformed Hawaii into a series of monotonous, indistinguishable scenes. At least this remake showcases the natural beauty of Ireland while giving the impression that the sets are inhabited.
By staying faithful to the original movie, this new Dragon film retains two of its most cherished elements – the captivating character of Toothless. This creature, a unique blend of a cat, dog, horse, and bat, has remained essentially unchanged since 2010, with only minor enhancements like additional details on his scaly body and gums. The film wisely chooses not to alter Toothless too much, as the original formula works well. However, merely replicating Toothless’s actions from the first movie might suggest a lack of creativity. After enduring the terrifying Seven Dwarfs in Snow White three months ago, it’s refreshing that this new Toothless elicits “awww” instead of nightmares.
John Powell’s score in the film continues to be a remarkably moving composition. Tracks such as “Test Drive” and “Romantic Flight” have been slightly reimagined with new titles (e.g., “A Romantic Flight”) while maintaining their musical brilliance. In the original Dragon’s movie, Powell’s score boldly took center stage during pivotal scenes, such as Toothless and Hiccup’s first flight together, without the need for dialogue. Today, these grandiose tracks still pack a punch when played through movie theater speakers. However, regrettably, Powell’s score now faces competition from awkward dialogue that seems to unnecessarily clarify aspects of the story for viewers.
In my opinion, what was subtly conveyed through visual storytelling in the finale, such as Fishlegs and Snotlout’s dragons’ confusion, is now made overtly clear to viewers with unpolished dialogue. The show, Dragon, seems to be fixated on addressing what I refer to as “explanations” of plot inconsistencies, a pet peeve of mine in the new adaptations of classics like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, as pointed out by Emily St. James and Lindsay Ellis.
In another example, Stoick guides Hiccup on how every Viking returned home following the movie’s ending. On the other hand, Astrid, while flying for the first time, voices her uncertainty about peaceful human-dragon relations. At one point, she asks, “What are you planning to do, whisk [every Viking] away on a magical adventure?” This statement mirrors the sarcastic tone of Snow White’s “Princess Problems” song.
In a fortunate turn of events, dragons seldom tread this particular path. The genuine enthusiasm DeBlois shows towards this universe is often one of the standout qualities in this remake. Nevertheless, the unnecessary dialogue aimed at the audience sometimes clashes with the visual-centric essence of the original dragon. Interestingly, it’s unfortunate that this 2025 remake’s rare moments of fresh creative ideas actually work against its main goal of meticulously replicating the source material.
If your children adore everything related to Toothless, the latest How to Train Your Dragon movie might be just what they crave. However, it may feel like rewatching the 2010 version with your TV’s motion-smoothing feature turned on. It retains the familiar elements, but the visual experience can be less appealing. Despite this, the stunning landscapes, Toothless’ charm, and the nostalgia of the original keep it from being a misstep in today’s remake trend. Those hoping for a fresh take akin to Pete’s Dragon or the 2021 West Side Story version might need to lower their expectations significantly. Perhaps they should have assigned a new director to this project, giving them a shortened timeframe of just 15 months to create a unique, innovative vision?
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2025-06-17 00:45