How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.

Directors:

Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Writers:

William Davies (screenplay), Dean DeBlois (screenplay),

Stars:

Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson

Top 250 #167 | Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 32 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jay Baruchel	...	Hiccup (voice)
Gerard Butler	...	Stoick (voice)
Craig Ferguson	...	Gobber (voice)
America Ferrera	...	Astrid (voice)
Jonah Hill	...	Snotlout (voice)
Christopher Mintz-Plasse	...	Fishlegs (voice)
T.J. Miller	...	Tuffnut (voice)
Kristen Wiig	...	Ruffnut (voice)
Robin Atkin Downes	...	Ack (voice)
Philip McGrade	...	Starkard (voice)
Kieron Elliott	...	Hoark the Haggard (voice)
Ashley Jensen	...	Phlegma the Fierce (voice)
David Tennant	...	Spitelout (voice)

Storyline

Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town's fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can't bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

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Plot Keywords:

dragon | viking | ignorance | friendship | flight | 

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Taglines:

One adventure will change two worlds

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

How to Train Your Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience

Box Office

Budget:

$165,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£4,846,532 (UK) (2 April 2010)

Gross:

£17,168,517 (UK) (23 July 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks Animation, Mad Hatter Entertainment, Vertigo Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The appearance and personality of Toothless was inspired by cats, dogs, and horses. The face also bears some resemblance to the giant salamander, largest amphibian in the world.

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Goofs

When Toothless pins Hiccup to the rock after being set free, we see trees in the reflections of his eyes. Toothless was looking straight down at Hiccup, where no trees could possibly have been seen.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Hiccup: [voice-over] This is Berk. It's twelve days north of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death. It's located solidly on the Meridian of Misery. My village. In a word? Sturdy. It's been here for seven generations, but every single building is new. We have fishing, hunting, and a charming view of the sunsets. The only problems are the pests. You see, most places have mice or mosquitoes... We have...
[aloud, as he slams the door against an attacking Monstrous Nightmare]
Hiccup: ...

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Crazy Credits

The ending credits of the movie are shown as if seen in a Dragon Manual.

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Connections

Spoofs Top Gun (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Sticks and Stones"
Written by Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jónsi)
Performed by Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jónsi)
Produced and Mixed by Alex Somers & Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jónsi)
Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Genuinely superb and a step forward in 3D films

HTTYD is the latest in a run of animated 3D films to hit the family market. One might be forgiven for feeling a little weary of this genre as the big production studios churn out one "action-packed film with a cute central character and some pretty effects" after another. But wait...

HTTYD stands apart from these other attempts for a number of reasons. First, the 3D (Odeon digital in this screening) is moving more toward the subtle with fewer "gratuitous" 3D moments than in movies like Bolt and Coraline. As 3D becomes a staple of high street cinema, directors seem to be finding 3D to be more about adding depth rather than a brief focal-point. That's not to say that there isn't effective use of the 3D wow-factor here; it's just not all the film has to hold attention.

Second, a cast of voice talent that does not demand too much consideration of the man/woman behind the microphone is refreshing. Baruchel is not over-playing the sugar or the heroics and, as much as an animated character can be, he is believable and as three-dimensional as the visuals. Butler is not greatly stretched here but manages to stay just the right side of a Mike Myers impression so as not to annoy. How many kids will now think the Vikings were a fearsome race of Americans and Scots? Oh, well!

Third, the plot and dialogue. You may not know the plot and I won't spoil it now. It is straightforward stuff but the pace keeps it interesting for kids and the grown-ups. Younger children may be upset at times and I heard a sob or two at the emotional moments. Nothing too heavy here though, it's just a well-written script with as many actual laughs as I have seen in a kids' film.

This is one of the best films so far in this prolific genre and it has been made with passion rather than thrown together to cash-in on the thirst for these films, right now. I would urge all ages to see this film in 3D as the textures are extraordinary and you can't help but be charmed by it all.