Starts March 25
Dreamworks bring us a 3D animation, with the voice talents of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler and America Ferrera. The movie is directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, with a screenplay by DeBlois following a story by Cressida Cowell.
Hiccup (Baruchel) is a Viking boy living on the island of Berk – an island under constant threat of dragon attacks. Like other young men, he dreams of becoming a dragon slayer; but his scrawny build and clumsiness mean that no one takes him seriously, least of all his father, the local Chieftain.
Hiccup persists and, during a raid, manages to fire his home-made catapult, hitting and injuring an elusive Night Fury dragon. Tramping through the forest, the boy finally tracks down the wounded animal, but is incapable of striking the death blow. Instead, a friendship develops between the two, and Hiccup gradually understands that man and dragon do not have to be enemies. However, convincing his father and the rest of the Viking clan is another matter all together.
How to Train your Dragon offers fun animation of the quality we have come to expect from Dreamworks, and with the extra spice of being in 3D. Though obviously a family film, some of the dragon scenes could be scary for younger children.