Blake 
The 2025 live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon arrives with sky-high expectations from fans of the original 2010 animated movie. Directed once again by Dean DeBlois, the creator of the original trilogy, the film aims to reintroduce the magical world of Vikings and dragons to a new generation. With Mason Thames playing Hiccup and Nico Parker stepping up into the role of Astrid, the movie is attempting to stay true to the beloved source material while adding a visual upgrade.
Although at its heart the story remains the same: A misfit boy named Hiccup befriends a mysterious wounded dragon called Toothless. In doing this, he challenges his tribe’s long-held hatred for dragons and embarks on a journey that reshapes not just his destiny but that of the entire village. This bond between Hiccup and Toothless is still the emotional anchor of the film, and Mason Thames delivers a sincere performance, capturing Hiccup’s vulnerability and determination.
At its heart, the story remains unchanged: a misfit Viking boy named Hiccup befriends a mysterious, wounded dragon called Toothless. In doing so, he challenges his tribe’s long-held hatred for dragons and embarks on a journey that reshapes not just his destiny, but that of his entire village. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless is still the emotional anchor of the film, and Mason Thames delivers a sincere performance, capturing Hiccup’s vulnerability and determination. Toothless, rendered in near photorealistic CGI, manages to evoke charm and emotion even without dialogue—a technical feat worth appreciating.
Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, bringing emotional depth and gravitas to the stern Viking chief and Hiccup’s conflicted father. Nico Parker’s Astrid is more confident and action-driven than before, which works well with the film’s modern tone. The chemistry between the cast members feels natural, and their performances do justice to the story’s emotional beats.
Visually, the movie is a spectacle. The dragon flight sequences are thrilling, the landscapes are beautifully designed, and the musical score by John Powell (who also scored the original) enhances the grandeur. However, the live-action format trades some of the animated film’s vibrancy for a darker, grittier look. The film’s color palette is heavy on greys and shadows, which sometimes undercuts the sense of wonder that made the original so enchanting.
That said, the movie isn’t without its flaws. One of the biggest criticisms is that it’s almost too faithful to the original. Much of the story, dialogue, and even the framing of scenes feel lifted directly from the 2010 version. While this might please hardcore fans, it also raises the question: was this remake necessary? It plays it safe, sticking closely to what worked before instead of offering something fresh or reimagined. There’s little new to surprise audiences who already know the story.
Additionally, the pacing can feel uneven. The film runs longer than the animated version, with extended training sequences and added exposition that occasionally drag. The emotional payoff in the final act is still strong, but the journey to get there feels a bit bloated.
In conclusion, How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a visually rich, emotionally sincere, but narratively redundant remake. It successfully captures the heart of the original, especially the bond between Hiccup and Toothless, and offers enough spectacle to warrant a theatrical viewing. But its lack of originality and slower pacing hold it back from soaring to new heights. It’s a respectable effort, but one that may leave fans wondering whether the magic of the original needed a live-action reboot at all.
Rating: 6.5/10 – A beautiful, nostalgic ride, but not quite the daring flight we hoped for.
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