HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs

GRADE: A +

Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, Djimon Hounsou, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harrinton

Based on the series of books by Cressida Cowell
Screenplay by Dean Deblois
Directed by Dean DeBlois

Despite Shrek beating out Monsters Inc. for the first animated feature Oscar, Dreamworks Animation was, for years, successful at the box office but critics and hardcore animation fans did not consider them in the same league as PIXAR. Movies like Kung Fu Panda made their credibility rise, but  How To Train Your Dragon was a major game changer.Dreamworks was finally a serious competitor, and the movie was as ardently embraced by adults as it was by kids, considered a genuine classic that was filled with action and heart.   

The long awaited sequel picks up five years after the Viking village of Berk has made peace with the dragons, who now live amongst the villagers as working animals and pets, and dragon races (which are sort of like Quidditch, with live sheep taking the place of the balls) are all the rage. Our hero, Hiccup (Jay Baruchael) goes on adventures with his dragon, Toothless, as they explore and map new territories. Having come of age, Hiccup is being pressed by his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) to succeed him as chieftain, but Hiccup is not convinced that this is the right path for him. 

While investigating a wildfire, Hiccup and Astrid (America Ferrera) discover the remains of a fort encased in a colossal ice formation and encounter a dragon trapper named Eret (Kit Harrington), who blames them for the destruction of his fort and attempts to capture their dragons for an insane conqueror called Drago Bludvist. The two riders return to Berk to warn Stoick about the dragon army that Drago is amassing, and Stoick orders the villagers to fortify the island and prepare for battle. Instead deciding to attempt to reason with Drago (played by Amistad's Djimon Hounsou), Hiccup flies off with Astrid and they surrender themselves and their dragons to Eret so as to be taken to Drago. However, Stoick and his dragon riders pursue and find them.

Stoick explains he once met Drago before and that he was an unreasonable madman, but Hiccup refuses to believe that war is inevitable and again flies off with Toothless. He runs into the last person he is expecting, and before long Hiccup's entire world has once again changed.

This is that rarest of sequels that satisfies on every level, and honestly the animation quality is decidedly superior to the original. While the story may be more convoluted and less memorable than that of the first film, it's a great sequel plot that not only builds on the concepts and and world created before by delves deeper into the characters and provides plenty of heart and touching moments, and a rousing finale that will have you cheering. 

The cast is uniformly terrific, with Baruchel being a delightful and truly a one of a kind presence, and Blanchett is always a welcome addition to any film. But the standout here is definitely Gerard Butler, who gives his most endearing and comfortable performance in years. True, a good deal of credit has to go to the animators, but Bulter really nails this character and reminds up why people every had enthusiasm for him in the first place (it helps that he allowed to stick with his own Scottish accent. Bulter should be treated like a modern Sean Connery: the voice is a huge part of the appeal, don't try to hide it, just let it stand.). The bullheaded and macho Stoick has grown up perhaps even more than his son since the events of the last film, and we see a wise, tender and even romantic side that is utterly engaging. This is one of my favorite voice over performances in many years. It's also great to see Hounsou, one of the most engaging presences in film, who we don't get to see nearly enough of because there aren't many roles written for African actors, break free of type casting and play a role not defined by his ethnicity. In fact, I didn't even know it was him until the credits rolled. John Powell's thrilling and lyrical musical score combined with amazing visuals (helped along by "visual consultant Roger Deakins, who may be the best cinematographer working today) combine for a magical experience.

This a perfect sequel, a perfect family film, and spectacular adventure that equal any live action film this summer.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 is rated PG for violence and adult themes (including one very sad moment that may be quite upsetting to younger children.) and a small amount of extremely mild vulgarity.

EDGE OF TOMORROW

Reviewed by Paul Gibbs


EDGE OF TOMORROW
GRADE: A
Starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton
Directed by Doug Liman

Yes, the new Tom Cruise sci-fi vehicle bears an unmistakable resemblance to a cross between Groundhog Day and Starship Troopers. What's surprising is how good a film that turns out to be, and what may be surprising to some is how big a part of that is a first-rate star turn by Cruise.

Cruise stars as Major William Cage, a military Media Relations in a not-too distant future where grotesque aliens called Mimics (think the xenomorphs from Aliens mixed with the Formics of Ender's Game) have invaded Earth and the best hope to defeat them is soldiers in exoskeletal battle suits. Assigned to provide coverage during an invasion, Cage balks, attempting to blackmail his way out of battle. This goes over about as well as you would expect, and Cage is demoted to a frontline troop as cannonfodder in the invasion. But when Cage dies, he ends up waking up at the beginning of the day, repeating it over and over in an endless loop. Eventually Cage seeks out the help of a legendary soldier known as the Angel of Verdun (Emily Blunt) and working to defeat the Mimics and end the loop.

Based on a Japanese novel entitled All You Need Is Kill (which sounds like stereo instructions translated from Japanese), Edge of Tomorrow (which sounds like a daytime soap opera) is clever, funny, and thrilling, providing a perfect example of what a summer movie should be. Director Doug Liman is at the top of his game, crafting spectacular battle sequences, uproarious dark comedy and sensitive character moments with equal aplomb, and he's aided immeasurably by his leading man. Try to forget all of the couch-jumping Scientology baggage and just enjoy a great movie star carrying a blockbuster like few others can, and stepping out of his stock character to play a weaselly coward who is forced to learn to become a soldier. Cruise expertly navigates the arc from the comic scenes in the first act to the physical heroics of the actions scenes to his growing attachment to Blunt's character. This is exactly why he's been one of Hollywood's top stars for almost 30 years.  The supporting cast also fairs well, with Blunt easily holding her own in her scenes with Cruise (though it's a little disappointing to see Cruise once again playing opposite an actress young enough to be his wife). Bill Paxton amusingly chews the scenery as the tough Seargant commanding Cage's unit.

In a manner someone reminiscent of James Cameron's Avatar, Edge of Tomorrow is a perhaps overly familiar sci-fi epic that is executed well enough to make us forgive its more derivative elements. The fast pace makes for a perfect summer thrill ride. The film is rated PG-13 for some profanity and a lot of violence (so much so that an argument could easily be made for an R rating for the sheer number of violent deaths, though the movie is largely bloodless.).