At the Movies with Fatwayne

This is another movie filmed in IMAX 3D and as previously stated, I am a nut for this format. What made things even better was the fact that this was an enjoyable family presentation with an interesting and entertaining story. It also helped that the 3D was outstanding.

The movie is computer animated and although I am no fan of this type of film I have to admit that I may have to reconsider my position. It seems that the animated offerings these days are worth my time and effort. Being animated, it should not frighten the little ones despite the fact that some of the dragons are fierce looking.

Hiccup Horrendus Haddock III is a teenage nerd-type physically. He lives in a mythical Viking world full of fearsome warriors and soon to be fearsome warrior teenagers. Even though he is slight of build, he is intelligent and very courageous. Hiccup is the son of Stoick the Vast who is the leader of this particular tribe. He is also a sort of a joke in the village and a source of embarrassment to his father.

They live on the island of Berk and are in a war with dragons who raid their sheep and eat them for food. They are also very destructive to the village and the people who inhabit it. One of the most feared dragons is called a Night Fury and no one has ever seen one but they are all quite aware of it’s destructive power. One night during a dragon raid, Hiccup manages to down a Fury using a canon like device of his own design. The trouble is that no one believes him when he tells them of his success. In an effort to provide proof he goes off in search of his downed dragon. He finds the Night Fury in a canyon but even though he was taught to hate dragons he can not bring himself to kill his victim who is hopelessly entangled in Hiccup’s bolo-like projectile. He decides to free the beast and after doing so begins to fear that his decision may cost him his life.

Eventually things turn out for Hiccup and the Fury who he names Toothless. Toothless has been injured and can’t fly out of the canyon. Hiccup is an apprentice to the village blacksmith, Gobbers the Belch. He fashions a replacement part for the dragon’s damaged tail wing. After a while he and Toothless become friends of a sort. Hiccup learns that even though they are entirely different it doesn’t mean that they can not live peacefully together. His problem is to convince the Vikings that this is possible even though they have hated the dragons for many years.

There is much more to the storyline then I have given you. There are exciting flight scenes and thrilling battles but, as usual, I won’t be a spoiler. I can tell you that this is a film for all ages and that, my friends, is an excellent reason to treat the kids or grandkids to an excursion that you can enjoy together.

Rated  – PG  -

Quotes from How to Train Your Dragon

Fatwayne’s Rating   -      -