How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Directed by Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders. Starring (voices) Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T. J. Miller, Kristen Wiig, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant. [PG]

On the Viking island of Berk, battling dragons is just a fact of life, but when the chieftain’s gawky son, Hiccup (Baruchel), accidentally wounds and then befriends one of them, it’s up to Hiccup and his new pal, a jet black dragon nicknamed “Toothless,” to convince everyone else that it’s possible to coexist peacefully with the creatures. Though thin on character and hewing close to the tried-and-true formula, this animated fantasy is still terrific entertainment, funny and clever with an appreciable dose of heart. It’s great to look at, too, with its colorful, cartoonish creature design and wondrously exciting visuals when the dragons ascend, soar and swoop. One would have to have a pretty stony heart not to enjoy the adorable antics of the dragons, whose behavior have clearly been modeled off of pet dogs, cats, etc. Adapted from a series of books by English author, Cressida Cowell. Followed by a television series, several short films, and two feature-length sequels.

82/100