Shadowboy_25cm

This second episode would be the better and for me perfect start of this season than the first episode that began after five months have passed since the events from the season finale of season 1.

I don't understand this decision in story telling to jump five months forward in episode 1 and then in episode 2 to go five months back and show the aftermath of the season finale. It distracted too much, the pacing was bad and episode 1 established at the end some kind of reset, a back to usual business than feel like a continuation of the story.

This second episode is good and I liked this outie perspective better as a start of this season than keeping it just inside Lumon.

Poor Milchick has to drive at night through the winter streets and visit Mark, Irving and Dylan.

Britt Lowers performance as Helena/Helly is gripping and her arc is very interesting (the conflict between her two personalities: her innie Helly R. And her outie Helena Eagan, daughter of Lumon Industries CEO Jame Eagan). Helena is cold and for her Helly is not a person and has no rights. Helly knows that she can't trust Helena, but she knows that her outie has a powerful position in Lumon.

The fight for the existence of the severed personality might be a topic in this show.. Is a severed personality a human being?

Does a severed personality have any rights? No, it belongs to Lumon and can simply be and stay deacttivated like a quit personell.

The film is a live-action remake of the animated movie 'How to train your dragon' from 2010. Written and directed by Dean DeBlois, who co-wrote and directed the animated films. Dean DeBlois stayed true to the source material and crafted a good remake with a lot of details, love and heart.

Gerard Butler returns in his role as Stoick the Vast, the chieftain of Berk and Hiccup's father. He did the voice acting in the animated movies and here, he's now the live action version of Stoick and gives a stellar performance.

The main cast members are excellent: Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid do a great job. The other youth actors fit nicely to their characters and deliver good performances.

I nearly didn't recognize Nick Frost as Gobber the Belch. He's hilarious.

Composer John Powell returned also to Berk and did like in the animated movie a good original score.

Budget and Box Office information of this movie: Budget: $150 million Marketing: $100 million Box Office debut weekend North America in June 2025: $84.6 million Box Office worldwide since August 2025: $628 million

Budget and Box Office information of the animated movie 'How to train your dragon' (2010): Budget: $165 million Box office debut weekend in North America in March 2010: $43,7 million Box office worldwide: $495 million

Comparison between this live action version and Superman (2025):

• The live action movie was cheaper than Superman (2025) (Budget $225 million + Marketing $200 million)
• The live action movie has better visual effects
• The live action movie has a better screenplay
• The live action movie has better acting, is more emotional and has more details and depth for the characters
• The live action movie is a greater box office success ( $628 million vs $608 million)
• The live action movie is a better movie and better blockbuster than Superman

Was this live action remake necessary? No. But if you're not into animated movies then this one is a good alternative. Great set design, production values and costumes. And the shots of the landscapes are beautiful. If you're a fan of the original then you might give this one a chance, although it's more or less the same story, but visually stunning, well acted, entertaining and makes fun.

It's a good example how live action remakes of animated movies are properly done.

Recommended.