Drachenzähmen leicht gemacht

The trend of transitioning animated movies to live-action is on the rise these years, with Lilo & Stitch and other movies. This time, what would happen if the director who directed the same franchise in animation returned to direct the live-action version?

Dean DeBois, he's the man. The man who previously helmed the three How to Train Your Dragon movies is back to direct the live-action version of this movie. The studio has made the right decision to hand over this movie to him. Because the vision and mission he conveyed in the previous movie are suitable to be brought to the live-action format. This movie does not replicate the previous movie but adds how magical the expressions of the characters are, especially Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup. That's really seeing the animated version. He was perfect as Hiccup. While the other actors also showed their abilities in this movie.

Gerard Butler, who previously played the animated version of Stoick, continues to return for this movie? This is a cinema moment right there. He really fits back in for this movie. There are no other words.

Kept true to the story. No unneeded changes. Tiny differences made it even better. THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT. The actors were perfect. The CGI amazing. The story true to the original. I watched the original with my baby daughter when she was 6. Went to see it with her today and we both cried. Amazing amazing amazing. Loved every second of it.

Hicup did an excelent job playing his role.

The secondary actors were perfectly cast.

Of course they couldn't go wrong with Gerard Buttler since he was the original voice in the first place. Yet seeing him in his role was epic. There was a moment that I couldn't unsee him as Leonidas in 300.

Astrid worried me but I was pleasantly surprised and now realize how wrong I was to be worried. She was perfect for the role.

Honestly... I didn't expect to feel the same way I did back in 2010, but this film brought it all back.

The remake went far beyond my expectations. The casting was spot on-even though I had doubts at first, the performances felt genuine and convincing. Especially Hiccup and Astrid: I found myself reconnecting with them like it was the first time.

Visually, it's stunning. The world of Vikings and dragons feels totally believable. The direction respects the spirit of the original, while adding a more grounded and mature tone.

This isn't just a copy-it's a heartfelt experience that stands on its own.

You could tell by the face, the voice, the posture, the presence that Gerard Butler really really loves his character. There is just so much right energy and inveatment coming from him in every Stoick The Vast scene. Joy to watch. The rest... Hiccup. Astrid and the twins are so plastic in their approach to the characters that it's hard to take them seriously. I don't know why but they looked more _animated_ than the animation veraions. Snotlout and Fishlegs were quite forgettable.

Hookfang looks absolutely amazing. Gorgeous. Stormfly not so much. Toothless is always beautiful but honestly all of his movement felt less natural than the animation. Especially in particular moment (I would like to keep it spoiler free) which mesmerised me when I saw the animated one back in 2010 and here looked more generic rather than emotional.

Green Death looks cool if a bit lazy.

I watched the original back in 2010 and there was just magic in there. I thought the 3d was way more effective than Avatar. Was it formulaic? Yes. Was it simple? Yes. But did it have a heart? YES. And huge one at that.

I don't think this version adds anything or is in any way needed but it can be enjoyable if you overlook the plastic acting. The score is still great. And seeing Gerard Butler care so much about his character is just lovely. So I'd rather be staying on this positive note.

Rarely does a remake pay homage to original, even rarer does a remake capture its heart and soul that made the characters and storyline so captivating.

How To Train Your Dragon (2025) is everything you hope for in a live action adaptation and usually don't recieve. The characters (Especcially Hiccup and Stoick) translate exceptionally well to live action and the special effects leave nothing to be desired. In many ways, this remake plays even better on the big screen than the animation ever did due to the sheer size of the set pieces and the impressively realistic dragon CGI.

The make-or-break of this film, however, was the score. Retaining John Powell's powerful, moving and emotionally resonant composition elevates this movie to a different level.

Other than some of the casting choices and acting perfomances not comparing to the original, this remake's only main flaw is that it's a remake. It's essentially a way of watching exactly the same movie but in live action, which while being its biggest flaw, also manages to be its biggest asset - Its the only remake in recent memory that one can truly claim has recaptured the magic of its source. Go see it, it may well be one of the best films you'll watch this year.