How to Train Your Dragon 2
Starring Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett
Directed by Dean DeBlois
When Hiccup and Toothless first took to the skies in 2010, DreamWorks had crafted an unexpected animated phenomenon that spawned a merchandising empire but remained grounded thanks to the film’s emotional resonance and admirable themes.
Four years later, How to Train Your Dragon 2 arrives on resplendent, leathery wings with beautifully rendered animation once again but not quite the same doses of magic.
When Hiccup and his flying companion discover a remote ice cave that is home to hundreds of wild dragons, they encounter a mysterious Dragon Rider with a personal connection to our hero. The group is soon embroiled in a conflict between the mighty beasts and another band of treacherous humans.
The film opens with a dizzy and frantic chase sequence that is sure to engage youngsters but adds little to the overall plot and sets the stage in an erratic manner.
Once things settle down, the script blossoms in the quieter moments as characters show genuine growth. These scenes are exceptionally realized when the Dragon Rider reveals their true identity, making the emotions palpable.
Unfortunately, the sequel succumbs to several typical pitfalls. How to Train Your Dragon 2’s story feels episodic in nature in the last half as the effective first act dissolves into a predictably bigger action set piece finale.
The movie’s central villain is also a problem; Djimon Hounsou provides the voice of the evil Drago but seems miscast and the character is oddly thin, a disappointing oversight given how much richness exists everywhere else.
