Introduction
How to Train Your Dragon is an animated film released by DreamWorks Animation in the year 2010. Under the direction of Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, and with the help of the book series created by Cressida Cowell, the animated film became widely praised for its relatable and heartrending story, impressive visuals, and uplifting messages that quickly made it a family favorite.
Like most works of fiction, the movie is set in an unrealistic world where Vikings and dragons coexist as enemies. There, a shy young Viking is able to befriend a ferocious dragon, and with their friendship, they are able to teach each other and the audience lessons on empathy, selfless bravery, and the power and world-changing ability of a different perspective.
Plot Summary
Berk is a floating island full of Viking dragons where a dragon is a frequent menace, and where all the Viking inhabitants are instructed to fight and defend their island from a young age and spend the rest of their lives practicing combat. Having grown up in this world that is dominated by warriors, and where his father Stoick the Vast, the man on top, is, a teenager by the name of Hiccup is bound to live a different life. Hiccup is a compassionate soul, yet lacks in social skills, and thusdoes not live up to his father’s standards.
Though Hiccup works as hard as he can to prove himself, he lacks both the physical strength and the aggression a Viking life requires. Hiccup, however, is creative, insightful, and likes to tinker. During a dragon raid one day, Hiccup uses one of his gadgets to capture a dragon that no one has come close to: a Night Fury.
As he tracks the dragon he has downed, he starts to feel both excited and nervous and is able to spot it. But when the time comes to finish the job, and he is about to strike, he cannot do such a thing to this creature. He just cannot do it. This unique moment transforms into something that starts a long, and rare, friendship.
Toothless, as he calls the dragon, has no teeth since the dragon’s teeth used to be pointed. With time, Hiccup is able to gain the dragon’s trust. Hiccup loves how he can retract his teeth. He also loves how he is able to befriend the dragon by just being gentle. Hiccup even comes to the realization that there is something wrong with the dragon: due to a injury suffered by the dragon due to the net, it is unable to fly. He designs a tail fin that allows Hiccup to pilot the dragon as well.
Hiccup, along with other Viking teens including the courageous and clever Astrid, grapples with dragon fighting ‘training’ in the, educational… village? Different from other teens attempting to kill dragons, Hiiccup has managed to calm, and neutralize dragons, earning the confused and impressed respect of the villagers. Sadly, the adults are confused.
Undoubtedly, Hiccup had a hidden ‘friendship’ with Astrid. When it is Hiccup with the hidden fog, Mind blown. She shifts outlooks after witnessing a stunning tapestry and folds of a dragon hidden nesting region along with ‘everything’ else. She then realizes that the world is greater than how a child would view it.
Invrteed, the village is aware of the dragon nesting site, and, along with Hiccup, plans to utterly destroy it. Hiccup attempts, and then fails to explain to the adults how nebulous the situation is – the dragons hidden in the nesting site are being forced to do labor by a MEGA dragon. Astrid, Hiccup’s classmates, and a few other ‘Toothless’ transgress the Eagle Mountain esque means of new Hiccup in a narratives that are impulsive, and flightless. Hiccup’s Homework facts manage to able to protect his village, and also to do it without the norms – – violence, and fear.
Hiccup’s actions to save the village also guarantee to prove that the new, warring country are friend. The peace showed is new for both dragons, and dragon hunters had been sorely lacking, earning Hiccup his new nickname. A firm, yet understanding, outsiders.
Main Characters
Hiccup: He is a gentle and considerate young Viking, who, unlike many, does not fit the stereotype of a warrior. He is a hero of the most unexpected circumstances as a result of seeing things differently, having compassion and being creative.
Toothless: He is a dragon of a fierce Night Fury and to start, a being cloaked in secrecy and terror, but because of Hiccup’s bond with him, he demonstrates the contrary of the beliefs surrounding him, showing his gentleness, loyalty and intelligence.
Stoick the Vast: He is the father of Hiccup and the village chief. He is traditional to the point of being weak and wrestles with understanding Hiccup, but with time, learns to value Hiccup’s unique traits.
Astrid: She is a self-assured and skilled Viking-in-progress. Initially, she is a Hiccup devotee, but ultimately, he wins her over with his valor and transparency.
Gobber: He is the blacksmith of the community that also teaches dragon training. He is a self-contradictory character who, while providing light-hearted moments, also offers sage advice and serves as a mentor to Hiccup in his unorthodox style.
Themes
- Trust And Friendship
The bond between Hiccup and Toothless is the very center of the film. Hiccup and Toothless develop trust in each other, disregarding the paranoia and misconceptions that existed for centuries. This relationship is a prime example of how trust can close the most gaping holes.
- Change and Distinction
Hiccup believes, and rightly so, that there is more to life then what is imposed on you. Self-identity is shaped by what you believe in. Sonic’s growing up believes in the principles of peace and creative foresight. The movie challenges its audience to live as their own and defend their beliefs.
- Knowledge as a Weapon
The very first assumption the people of Berk had, as dictated by custom, was to fear the dragons. Hiccup’s sentiments counter this by proving that the the aforementioned outcome is the result of not knowing the facts. He challenges the status quo through his social concern and in and in doing so effects a change that is sustainable.
- Imagination as a Means to Solve Problems
Problems are solved through a change in the steps taken to arrive to the conclusion. An example that is rather popular is Hiccup, who instead of using brute force, implements his knowledge and creativity to solve problems. In doing so, he sets an example to the audience that empathy and intelligence should be placed on a pillar as forms of strength.
Visual and Musical Highlights
The animation in How to Train Your Dragon is rich, detailed, and filled with wonder. Hiccup and Toothless’ soaring scenes of flight remain one of the most cherished moments of the movie and evoke a feeling of pure bliss and adventure in the audience.
Hearing the score of How to Train Your Dragon adds depth to the film whether it is a serene still moment or a thrilling flight sequences. One of the most remarkable elements of the film is John Powell’s ability to transform every moment into a reflection of the Berk universe through music.
Self-contained above all else, the film How to Train Your Dragon is a result of praise from numerous critics aligned in the given criteria of storytelling, character development, animation quality, and music integration. This film in particular has won a roast of success, consequently making room for two sequels, a handful of short films, and a series all projected alongside the world of dragons and the Vikings.
It focuses on a series of journeys set up for the animated characters Hiccup and Toothless, something that manages to catch the fancy of both the adult and the child. The Hiccup and Toothless saga has the ability to engross an audience of any or all ages and offers a wonderful celebration of meaningful messages that have been elongated twisted around a core of wonderful animation anchored to a strong narrative.
Final thoughts
The reconciliation of the two characters is a recurring theme in this journey, softening moments of sheer thrill, creating an impression that there is much more to adventure and fantasy. How to Train Your Dragon teaches the world about the much skeptical notion that bravery is not clad in the arms of tiresome fighting. The childlike wonder erupts from each and every frame,
exposing a narrative that encourages understanding and wraps it in animation that completes it.
How to Train Your Dragon is the type of film that leaps to the imagination of wide-variety of audiences, and polished with strong morals, it effortlessly touches the soul, and the heart, the both, soaring above exceptional.
Watch Free Movies on Kisscartoon
