How to Train Your Dragon (Movie Time!)

Other than Kung Fu Panda, I have been quite unimpressed with DreamWorks as an animation studio. Most of their features have been forgettable and just seemed like projects that Pixar either would have done better or left on the cutting room floor. With that in mind I was extremely skeptical when I saw the preview for How to Train Your Dragon. After seeing the movie twice now, I have to say: I can't believe that DreamWorks made it.

It is so much better than the vast majority of their films I am astounded and frustrated all at the same time. Why haven't they been making movies like this since day one? Sure, Antz had its moments, and the first 15 Shrek movies were fine, but since Shrek 16 through 543 came and went, I have been tired of even the idea of DreamWorks making a new feature length film.

Now, obviously I am exaggerating here. I know there are only 4 Shrek movies (four is still a lot...), and Wallace and Grommit are hilarious (although much better in their 30 minute incarnations), and as I said, Kung Fu Panda was awesome. But How to Train Your Dragon was funny, exciting, and vicariously fulfilled my desire to own and possibly ride an awesome exotic pet. What more can you ask for?

To be specific, the characters were great, the dialog was witty, and the story had an interesting message. While much of what was good about the movie is owed to Cressida Cowell's excellent writing, the physical comedy of the animated characters paired with the hilarious voice work from the actors was all due to the motion picture. The scenes of Hiccup and Toothless soaring through the air and learning to appreciate each other's differences was exhilarating in the way that only good fantasy stories can be.

While the book and the movie have major differences, the film did an admirable job of creating a fun experience that contained a message of acceptance and a spirit of collaboration. This film could be used as transitional material into reading the books it is based on and books that are similar to it. Fortunately, there is a lot of good fantasy being published right now for younger readers. This movie is just one good example of what can be done with it. I hope that the ideas present in this movie will help its viewers to be open minded and willing to re-evaluate their assumptions.