REVIEW: ‘How To Train Your Dragonʼ Almost Finds The Key To Being The Best Live-Action Adaptation
- Christopher Mills
- Jun 14
- 4 min read
Hollywood has gained a recent obsession with taking well-beloved animated films and putting them through a machine to transform them into, at most times, live-action adaptations. Universal has decided to join in on the trend, and with them having a stacked list of animated films thanks to DreamWorks, there were a lot of films they could’ve worked with. Thankfully, they chose a franchise of theirs that is seemingly the only one that works in the live-action format, and Dean DeBlois, who also directed the original trilogy, has returned to prove why How to Train Your Dragon was Universal’s best choice, why it can be seen as one of the best live-action adaptations, and also asks the question of what audiences really want from their live-action adaptations.
How To Train Your Dragon is set on the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations. Hiccup Borrendkus Haddock III (Mason Thames), the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), defies centuries of traditional dragon-fighting practice when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
Universal Pictures have been extremely proud with How To Train Your Dragon, with it premiering at the start of the year to audiences at CinemaCon. The show of confidence is understandable after viewing this film, as it truly recaptures what made the original film so special. It’s not only full of heart with emotional moments that will, without a doubt, bring you to tears; it has stunning visuals from the beautiful night skies of Berk, the ferocious dragons and the hauntingly terrifying dragon island.
What differentiates How To Train Your Dragon from your average live-action adaptation is that it brings along a few returning talents from the original film, such as Dean DeBlois and John Powell, who returns with his majestic score that takes you on a ride through the skies, and finally, Gerard Butler, who returns to play the role of Stoick the Vast. There are all these returning factors and the promise that DeBlois is going to get the opportunity to add things he never got to the first time around, but by the time the credits roll, there’s never anything substantial to warrant this film truly existing on its own.
There are noticeable scenes removed from the film, such as Hiccup bringing food for the smaller dragons, which DeBlois mentioned slowed down the reveal, and then there’s the promise of Astrid receiving more character development and a stronger character arc, and while Nico Parker easily portrays the character well and has great chemistry with Mason Thames, the relationship between Hiccup and Astrid plays through the same beats as the animated film. Although the performances elevate them ever so slightly, it’s still a disappointment to see that there wasn’t any room for improvements upon the characters themselves.
Mason Thames feels like Hiccup ripped straight from the animated movies, and with Hiccup already being such a well-written character, all Thames had to worry about was delivering a believable performance, which he goes above and beyond to achieve. He’s charming, dedicated, caring and driven to make a change in Berk, and Mason Thames portrays all of these traits. While Mason Thames and Nico Parker are the stars of the film. Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, and Haryy Trevaldwyn who portray Fishlegs, Snoutlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, respectively, bring the comedic energy with their perfect timing, making it a joy anytime they’re on screen.
What stands out with How To Train Your Dragon is the stunning visuals of the various dragons, specifically Toothless, who looks like he has been pulled straight out of the animated films themselves. Outside of Toothless, the other dragons don’t look as vibrant as their animated counterparts, but they still look breathtakingly stunning, especially in the scene where Toothless takes Hiccup and Astrid to the Dragon Island. The VFX doesn’t always look its best when there’s more than one human interacting with a dragon, and it can become noticeable how it affects the visuals, with it starting to look rather unrealistic, but that doesn’t become an issue until the third act, and thankfully, the rest of the film looks superb.
While live-action adaptations of animated movies are something that is seemingly hurting the animation industry as it continues to discourage people from watching the animated counterparts, it can’t be ignored that DreamWorks’ live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon is a movie and adaptation that just works. It loses some charm with the transition but also brings over emotion and wit that the actors so powerfully capture.
Dean DeBlois creates a movie that’s not only enjoyable but breathtaking, which is carried by John Powell’s iconic and legendary score, but there’s still something missing to help make this its own. There’s already a sequel greenlit for 2027, and if they would like to reach higher heights, it’s probably best they take it in a different direction while still retaining what makes that second film the best in the trilogy.
Rating: ★★★½
About How To Train Your Dragon (2025)
Premiere Date: June 9, 2025
Executive Producer: Marc Platt, Dean DeBlois, Adam Siegel
Writer: Dean DeBlois
Adapted from: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders
Director: Dean DeBlois
Production: DreamWorks Animation, Marc Platt Productions, DreamWorks Pictures
Distribution: Universal Pictures
Cast: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur
Synopsis: On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
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