Before we get to the review proper, I want to discuss a couple of things that I usually don't devote much time to in my reviews: the visuals, and that most loathed element of modern cinema, the 3D. If you have seen the first movie (and if you haven't, why not?), you will understand my next statement completely: the visuals in that movie are astonishing. They are immersive and breathtaking, and they make you feel like you are part of the world that you are witnessing, the world that the screenwriters and animators so obviously poured their souls into to create. The animation in that movie is art, able to make you feel, able to shift the entire direction and mood of the film in an instant. The visuals in the second movie were no different, except in that they were in some ways better. The character models and environments are somehow even more detailed than they were in the first movie, due in large part to a pretty astounding leap in technology that is continuing even now, but due in no small part to the dedication of the very talented people involved who clearly put a lot of themselves into this film's development.
The look of this movie is moving, from slow shots, to wide shots, to glamour shots, to the scenes where the characters are simply being themselves, interacting with each other. Each character, human or dragon, has their own mannerisms and body language that is distinct and perfected. In fact one of the best scenes in the movie is from early in when the main character Hiccup is just hanging out, talking and spending time with his girlfriend Astrid, and she starts doing impressions of him in response to the impressions that he is doing of his father, Chief Stoic. The personalities, looks and feel of these characters are so completely developed that the scene works, not only because it is a charming interaction, but because you can pick up those same mannerisms yourself.
This brings me to the Great Gimmick, as I call it: 3D. Usually I am firmly against 3D, as I am against gimmicks for gimmicks' sake, and few movies are made with 3D in mind (and some of the ones that are, are only gimmicks themselves). This movie, however, was clearly made as a 3D movie, no gimmick. The 3D in this movie is perfect. It never distracts from the experience, and in fact only serves to enhance it. While I doubt that seeing the movie in 2D would detract from the enjoyment of it, I would definitely recommend spending the extra few bucks. In fact, I'd recommend seeing this in 3D on an Imax screen if possible, as there are some shots that simply deserve to be seen in so grand a manner.
And that's what I have to say about that.
Moving on to the things that I usually talk more about than the previous topics, let's talk about the story. One of the things that people often faulted the first movie for was its almost cookie-cutter story, and, on a related note, it's almost cookie-cutter villain. The story of the first movie was the same father wants son to be something that he isn't and it leads to a misunderstanding that leads to the father accepting his son story that we have seen dozens of times, and the enemy was the same giant monster that we've seen just as often, complete with Cloverfield-style camera pans and everything. At first glance this movie seems very similar. Hiccup is twenty now, he has a prospective wife, and he is the village hero who has brought peace and a better way of life to his people, and Stoic feels that it is about time that he pass on his chiefly torch. Hiccup, however, is worried that he still hasn't discovered who he really is, and he's afraid that, if he accepts his father's offer, he will grow tired of the chief's life and let his people down. The movie is about him finding his place, and the enemy this time around is the same vengeful, power-hungry Khan-type that we have seen in dozens of films and most Star Trek movies. Usually having such standard plots would earn these movies lower scores from me than they might otherwise receive, but in the case of this movie and its predecessor, that simply isn't the case, because in these movies it isn't the plot that matters, but the characters.
The characters in these movies are some of the most real, most likeable characters in any movie that I have ever seen. They are lovingly written, lovingly performed, and lovingly animated, and I love them all. Interactions between them are a joy to watch. DreamWorks could make a two hour movie out of Hiccup's interactions with Astrid, or his dragon, Toothless, or between Stoic and his wife Valka, and I would be thoroughly entertained all of the way through. These movies bring these characters to life. I want them to be happy. I want them to succeed. This movie even bumped things up a notch by spreading the focus around pretty considerably. The first movie was Hiccup's movie, with the other characters there to support him, to further his story, or to offer comic relief, but this movie was Hiccup's movie, is was Stoic's movie, it was Toothless' movie, it developed the minor characters, and even some of the villains. You could feel the weight of the characters' triumphs, their failures, and their apprehensions. You laugh with them, and you shed a tear with them during tearful reunions, and gut-wrenching losses. This fantasy action slice of life movie is a movie driven almost entirely by its characters, and that's why it is so great, because the characters are so great.
There is little more that I can say about this movie without spoiling things, or gushing, so I'm going to cut myself off here. I give How to Train Your Dragon 2 a perfect 10 out of 10. Any deficiencies in this movie can be easily overlooked in favor of the many, many other things that is does oh so right. Do yourself a favor and go see this movie. Go and be moved, and saddened, and reminded of the strength of the human spirit, and come back later for another Something Awesome.
Thanks for the great review. I can tell you loved it. I enjoy your writing. Thanks.
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