How to Train Your Dragon (2025): A Familiar Flight or a Stalled Remake?
Table of Contents
Introduction: Another Live-Action Adaptation
Here we go again—another live-action adaptation of an animated classic. But wait, this one has a silver lining: How to Train Your Dragon is not owned by the mouse, and even better, it’s helmed by the same creative minds as the original. The 2025 live-action remake of the 2010 masterpiece faces a high bar. Does it soar to the same heights, or does it feel like an unnecessary, extended cut of a story we already love?
A Longer Flight: The Story of How to Train Your Dragon
This remake is, in many ways, a faithful one-to-one translation. We follow Hiccup, the outcast son of the Viking chief, who can't seem to live up to his father's dragon-slaying expectations. His life changes when he befriends Toothless, an injured Night Fury, the most feared dragon of all. The core story of changing a village's perspective on their greatest enemies remains intact.
However, the live-action film is a solid half-hour longer than its animated counterpart. It feels like an "extended cut," adding more scenes to flesh out the youth dynamics and the rivalry between Hiccup and Astrid. While some might appreciate the extra content, it often slows the pacing, making you wish for the tighter, more perfect flow of the original.
Casting the Vikings: Performances and Chemistry
Mason Thames (The Black Phone) steps into the role of Hiccup and does a great job. He captures the awkwardness and heart of the character, successfully translating the spirit of Jay Baruchel's iconic voice performance into live action. The bond between Hiccup and the (CGI) Toothless is the undeniable heart of the film and remains as powerful as ever.
Gerard Butler brilliantly reprises his role as Stoick, moving seamlessly from voice actor to live-action Viking chief—it's the perfect casting we all expected. Unfortunately, the chemistry between Hiccup and Astrid falls flat. Her character comes across as wooden, and their romance feels unearned, lacking the emotional weight of the animated version.
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The Look of Berk: Visuals and Music
A major win for this remake is the music. Composer John Powell returns to score the film, and hearing that iconic How to Train Your Dragon theme swells the heart just as it did in 2010. The flying scenes are equally fantastic, providing the same sense of thrill and wonder.
The CGI, however, is a mixed bag. While the dragon designs are faithfully recreated from the animation, the overall blending of CGI and live-action doesn't feel like a leap forward. In fact, it's frustrating to think that films from nearly 20 years ago, like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, still feel more seamless. It's a reminder that bigger budgets and newer tech don't always equal better results.
The Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon is a perfectly enjoyable movie. If you love the original, you'll likely have a good time with this familiar tale. It successfully captures the core emotional story between a boy and his dragon. However, it's a longer, less-polished version of a near-perfect animated film. It adds scenes that don't necessarily improve the story and lacks the romantic chemistry that balanced the original.
Our recommendation? It’s worth checking out, but you might be better off waiting for it to hit streaming. You can have a better time with the superior, shorter, and more magical original from the comfort of your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' a shot-for-shot remake?
No, it's not a shot-for-shot remake. While it follows the same main plot, it's about 30 minutes longer and includes additional scenes to expand on the relationships between the younger characters, particularly the rivalry with Astrid.
Who from the original 'How to Train Your Dragon' is in the live-action movie?
Gerard Butler, who voiced Stoick the Vast in the animated trilogy, reprises his role in live-action. Additionally, director Dean DeBlois and composer John Powell from the original film returned for the remake.
How does the live-action movie compare to the animated original?
The animated original is widely considered superior due to its tight pacing, perfect character chemistry, and groundbreaking animation. The live-action version is a good but less magical adaptation that feels bloated in comparison.
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