‘How to train your Dragon’
By HANS ESKELSON Special to the NEWS
Scandinavians, “How to train your Dragon” may be the Viking movie that the blood in our veins has been longing for.
In Danish, Norwegian or Dutch, the answer is “Ja,” this unique Viking tale is for all ages.
The creators who brought us “Kung Fu Panda” in 2008, did it again, bringing an original tale to life. About a Viking village at constant war with dragons who steal their animals and destroy their houses, their goal and destiny in life is to become warriors and destroy the dragons.
The king’s son, Hiccup, isn’t up to the standard of the rest of the Vikings.
He is scrawny and into inventing devices.
His father, King Stoick (voice over by Gerard Butler) is the best Viking warrior ever known, and he does not understand Hiccup. They don’t see eye to eye. Hiccup wants to help, but only causes chaos and disappointment in the village.
During one of the countless dragon attacks, Hiccup uses one of his inventions to shoot down the most feared dragon, but no one believes him, so Hiccup goes searching for the dragon.
When he finds him, Hiccup realizes that the dragon lives in fear, like he does. He decides to try and understand the dragon rather than kill him.
At the same time, his father, the king, leaves on a quest to find the nest of the dragons and destroy them, and save the village before winter sets in.
This film is unique. Too many films simply take an idea from another film and make a joke of it. Like “Kung Fu Panda,” this one is original and fun, entertaining from beginning to the end.
Surprisingly, Gerard Butler rebounded from the disastrous film, “The Bounty Hunter.” He did a great job keeping emotions riveted on the king’s relationship with his son while pursuing the goal of saving his village.
Pixar and Disney should watch out! DreamWorks is catching up with another great original film.
If you like this film,
you should see:
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Chicken Little (2005)
DVD of the week for children:
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
DVD of the
week for adults:
Into the Wild (2007)
DVD of the
week for movie addicts:
Heat (1995)
Golden Classic
of the week:
Marty (1955)
