How To Train
Your Dragon 2 7.5/10
Director: Dean Deblois
Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett
Plot: A new-found ice cave homes hundreds of new dragons, leading Hiccup and Toothless into a battle to protect the peace.
2010's How To Train Your Dragon seemed to take Dreamworks and cinemagoers by surprise. With an 8.2 IMDb rating, a 98% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating and $494 million at the worldwide box office, expectations for an animated sequel have rarely been so high.
Under the direction of Dean Deblois, who took the reins of the first film as well as Lilo & Stich, has created a sequel that's huge in scale. Firstly, the animation is flawless and miles ahead of recent releases. Just seeing Toothless fly up through the clouds is enough to convert both adults and children as fans. On that note, the humour is on-point and should appeal to all; it never feels desperate for a laugh and it doesn't talk down to its predominantly young audience. Likewise, the voice actors have been perfectly picked (both originals and newcomers)... The most noteworthy are Kristen Wiig as the frisky (yes, frisky) Ruffnut, as well as Cate Blanchett as Valka for the more emotional punches.
While there's emotion and humour, the action sequences are almost too good for an animation. You almost crave to see the final twenty minutes in live-action form. Although, it's an animation we've all come to see, and to generate battles on a Lord of the Rings scale in an animation is a true achievement.
The only criticism I have, which is difficult to pinpoint, is that it doesn't quite have that 'classic' feeling to it. Toy Story, Shrek, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles are all iconic, computer animated films which seem to have the edge on this series. Nevertheless, it doesn't take anything away from its unique idea and ambitious budget.
In Conclusion: masterfully animated, effortlessly voiced, surprisingly dramatic and stuffed to the brim with action. You'll rejoice with your old favourite's returning, and come to love a whole load of newcomers - both good and evil.
Bring on part three!
Director: Dean Deblois
Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett
Plot: A new-found ice cave homes hundreds of new dragons, leading Hiccup and Toothless into a battle to protect the peace.
2010's How To Train Your Dragon seemed to take Dreamworks and cinemagoers by surprise. With an 8.2 IMDb rating, a 98% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating and $494 million at the worldwide box office, expectations for an animated sequel have rarely been so high.
Under the direction of Dean Deblois, who took the reins of the first film as well as Lilo & Stich, has created a sequel that's huge in scale. Firstly, the animation is flawless and miles ahead of recent releases. Just seeing Toothless fly up through the clouds is enough to convert both adults and children as fans. On that note, the humour is on-point and should appeal to all; it never feels desperate for a laugh and it doesn't talk down to its predominantly young audience. Likewise, the voice actors have been perfectly picked (both originals and newcomers)... The most noteworthy are Kristen Wiig as the frisky (yes, frisky) Ruffnut, as well as Cate Blanchett as Valka for the more emotional punches.
While there's emotion and humour, the action sequences are almost too good for an animation. You almost crave to see the final twenty minutes in live-action form. Although, it's an animation we've all come to see, and to generate battles on a Lord of the Rings scale in an animation is a true achievement.
The only criticism I have, which is difficult to pinpoint, is that it doesn't quite have that 'classic' feeling to it. Toy Story, Shrek, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles are all iconic, computer animated films which seem to have the edge on this series. Nevertheless, it doesn't take anything away from its unique idea and ambitious budget.
In Conclusion: masterfully animated, effortlessly voiced, surprisingly dramatic and stuffed to the brim with action. You'll rejoice with your old favourite's returning, and come to love a whole load of newcomers - both good and evil.
Bring on part three!
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