As we round the first quarter of the 21st Century, live-action remakes of iconic animated films have gotten something of a bad rap. And, let’s be honest, there is a long list of titles that have earned that scorn. For the most part, however, it’s the adaptations that stick too close to the source material that become instantly forgettable. The adaptations that veer off in unexpected directions or genuinely try something new, such as “Maleficent” or “Cruella,” demonstrate the appeal and don’t just feel like studios attempting an easy financial win (although, frankly, that’s always part of the equation). It’s something of a surprise, then, that Dean DeBlois’ “How to Train Your Dragon,” a new version of the modern classic DreamWorks Animated film he co-directed with Chris Sanders in 2010, is such a smash. Because, based on how close it sticks to the original, it shouldn’t be.
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Another adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s 2003 novel of the same name, with only DeBlois getting screenwriting credit this time around, it’s practically the same story beat for beat (the original had three, including DeBlois, but WGA rules, amirite). Moreover, many of the iconic images from the original have been recreated for this endeavor. That should feel like a big ol’ cop out, but damn, throw Tooothless, Hiccup and that iconic John Powell score up on the big screen and it’s impossible not get teary-ed when it matters. You’re right, though, we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves.
Once again, our tale begins at night on the fictional Isle of Berk, hundreds of years ago, where a group of Vikings and members of dragon-hunting tribes from around the world are fighting off an attack of all manner of dragons. These pests aren’t after humans, but their sheep (and we’ll find out exactly why down the road). Hiccup (Mason Thames) wants to be part of the action, but his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), the leader of the island, has little faith in him. While the battle rages, Hiccup is stuck sharpening swords as an apprentice to Stoick’s good friend, Gobber the Belch (Nick Frost). Stoick isn’t afraid of Hiccup being hurt by the actions of a wild dragon, but of his awkward son somehow hurting a member of the tribe because of his bumbling ways. In Stoick’s eyes, Hiccup will never be a Viking warrior, and, to be fair, he’s sort of at peace with that.
This introductory sequence is well-staged, but it does the movie a bit of an initial disservice. The nighttime setting makes everything look a bit too visual effects heavy, a bit too green screen, even if real explosions and practical sets are falling apart thanks to the, um, CG dragons. When the sun rises, and Berk is seen in all its glory, when Hiccup wanders through the forest and cliffs of Ireland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Scotland, the movie begins to come to life. DeBois takes full advantage of these locations to differentiate this new version of the story. He’s assisted by veteran cinematographer Bill Pope, who lights and frames these vistas splendidly. And as the familiar narrative unfolds, the whole undertaking begins to feel more special than you might have anticipated.

The is also because the movie is assisted by some truly fantastic performances. Thames has a huge responsibility on his shoulders, bringing this new version of Hiccup to life. Jay Baruchel provided a distinct voice for Hiccup through three features, a short film, and numerous television projects. Best known for his performance in “The Black Phone,” Thames is a major surprise here, delivering a nuanced and moving performance you’d expect more from a mid-twentysomething actor than someone who was just 16 years old during production. He may seem like a bland version of Baruchel’s creation at first, but he turns out to be absolutely nothing of the sort. This is the sort of star-making performance that will turn heads and make you wonder what he can pull off next.
DeBlois is also assisted by the wonderful casting of Nico Parker as Astrid (at times the spitting image of her mother, Thandie Newton), who delivers a completely different interpretation of her character than voice actor America Ferrera, and Frost, who battles a massive fake mustache and bulky costume to also put his own unique stamp on Goober. The movie’s secret sauce, however, is Butler.
If Butler had never voiced Stoick in the animated exploits of “Dragon,” his work here would be something of a revelation. We honestly cannot remember when Butler has been this grounded, this refined with a character in his almost 30-year-long career. He’s been dramatically intense, he’s been romantically charismatic, but this is something different. Perhaps it’s all those projects over the past 15 years where he voiced Stoick that provided the basis for this well-rounded turn. It’s meant as high praise when we note this might be the best performance of the Scottish actor’s career in front of the camera. He’s that good.
It helps when you understand the material, and both Butler and DeBlois know that, at its heart, “Dragon” is still a story about a father and a son who have a failure to communicate. The dragon bonding is inherently adorable, and Toothless soaring through the clouds and diving through rocky cannons is a rollercoaster ride hard to turn down, but the film’s emotion is fueled by whether Hiccup and Stoick will ever truly understand one another. And Butler portrays Stoick in these scenes as though his emotions are seeping out of his bones.
Despite all the actor’s prowess and Pope’s wonderful camerawork, you can’t discount how similar this live-action incarnation is to its predecessor. There are moments where you. wish DeBois had pushed the pedal creatively. Perhaps mixed things up a bit, given us something slightly different beyond Astrid’s hairstyle. Even the casting of Hiccup’s teenage peers is a bit too on the nose. And yes, Toothless barely looks different from its animated forebearer. Then again, can you imagine the complaints if he didn’t? But, again, that bond between Hiccup and Toothless, mostly thanks to Thames’ impressive commitment, with that Powell score thrown in for good measure? Heavens, it’s simply glorious. And just like the original, you’ll want to experience it all over again. [B+]
“How to Train Your Dragon” opens nationwide on June 13