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.