I have grown so tired of the trend of reworking animated features into live-action films. Disney seems to have built their studios around it recently, to the point that I have struggled to even venture to see Lilo & Stitch. When I first became aware of DreamWorks entering the same world as the House of Mouse, my heart sank. Their best franchise after Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon, was having the same treatment as almost every Disney animation. Expectations were very low indeed. However, DreamWorks has managed something that Disney has failed to do with most of their recent films: give an old (ish) feature new blood. This is far better than it has any right to be.

A Viking village has been plagued by dragons, and their leader, Stoick, is in constant battle with the creatures. The village leader, Stoick, is a proud and tough man who is embarrassed that his son, Hiccup, isn’t a strong and mighty warrior like himself. When Hiccup manages to capture an elusive Night Fury dragon, he forms a friendship with the creature, which enables him to learn so much about other dragons that he starts to use that knowledge to create a bond.

Let’s address the downside first. If you are a fan of the original 2010 movie, then you will know exactly what to expect, as this is almost a shot-by-shot remake, so some of the tension is somewhat lost. However, unlike Gus Van Sant’s shot-by-shot remake of Psycho, which seemed to want to destroy Alfred Hitchcock’s original, this adds to it something unexpected: heart.

Visually, it is magnificent. Sweeping shots of beautiful scenery, mixed with genuinely jaw-dropping effects. None more so than the moments when we see the array of dragons filing out of their hideaway. Seeing it on the biggest screen possible will take your breath away. Even the digital creation of Toothless, the Night Fury dragon, is perfect, with lovely details of size and dimensions that Disney has often failed to deliver when producing digital versions of their characters (I’m talking about the dwarves from Snow White!).

We then come to the story itself. Beloved by many, director Dean DeBlois, who was co-director on the original, has kept the story intact. No changes or tweaking due to modern attitudes. He has followed the route of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ The story and the characters are strong enough to carry through. Even if you love the animated version, you won’t feel a sense of disappointment because they have altered the things you loved before.

At the same time, it has been respected and given heart. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless seems more enduring, and the longing to please a father is accompanied by moments of genuine sentiment that never become overly sentimental. It is also funny with a neat running gag involving Gobber, the blacksmith and his various collection of extra arms. They have also managed to assemble an array of actors who perfectly fit the original characters. This isn’t a film that was hastily thrown together, but one that has been given love and attention in every frame.

The performances are great too, with Mason Thames making an appealing Hiccup and Nico Parker bringing plenty of attitude to Astrid. Gerard Butler returns to the role he voiced in the original, Stoick, bringing the perfect physical attributes as well as vocal talents. At the same time, Nick Frost steals the show as Gobber, delivering a hilarious performance full of charm and wit.

I was ready to hate How To Train Your Dragon, but within minutes of being seated, it won me over. It’s a shame that this wasn’t an original feature, and familiarity meant that there was little peril involved. However, for a film that looks so wonderful and manages to surpass Disney’s recent releases, this is one of the best remakes I have seen, and that’s saying something.

4 out of 5

Director: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur

Written by: (also based on DreamWorks Animation’s ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ animated film) Dean DeBlois, (based on the book) Cressida Cowell, (based on DreamWorks Animation’s ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ animated film) William Davies and Chris Sanders

Running Time: 125 mins

Cert: PG

Release date: 9th June 2025