KVI’s Ari Hoffman and Zach, producer of the Morning Ride show, dive into the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
Listen to the audio here!
Zach praises the film as a solid blockbuster, earning a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and considers it an improvement over the 15-year-old animated original. However, he’s frustrated by its near-identical nature, calling it a “shot-for-shot remake” with the same director, writers, and even Gerard Butler reprising his role. While visually impressive, the CGI dragon lacks the groundbreaking wow-factor of past films like Avatar.
Zach suggests the remake misses an opportunity to offer a more mature, PG-13 take for nostalgic Gen Z fans like himself, comparing it to the animated classic that defined his childhood. He recommends it for newcomers or kids unfamiliar with the original but sees little reason for fans of the animated version to spend money on what’s essentially the same story.
Despite its quality, Zach questions the remake’s purpose beyond profit, noting its $83 million opening weekend. The discussion also touches on a trend toward live-action/hybrid remakes, predicting fewer fully animated films in the future.
Verdict: A better version of a beloved classic, but too similar to justify a theater visit for fans of the original. Perfect for new audiences or younger viewers.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – IN THEATERS JUNE 13
From three-time Oscar ® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), 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.
With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.
As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
The film also stars Julian Dennison ( Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell ( Bodies), Bronwyn James ( Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn ( Smothered), Ruth Codd ( The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz ( Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur ( Game of Thrones).
How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by three-time Oscar ® nominee Marc Platt ( Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel ( Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX ® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX ® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.
Inspired by Cressida Cowell’s New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award ® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.
Genre: Epic Action-Adventure
Cast: Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur
Written and directed by: Dean DeBlois
Producers: Marc Platt, Dean DeBlois, Adam Siegel
