Dealing with pressure is a difficult issue for any teenager to deal with. Especially when your dad is the chief of the village, and all eyes are on you to bring honor to his name, and oh yeah, also slay a dragon. This situation becomes even more difficult when your new best friend just happens to be the most sought-after dragon in your village.
The original How to Train Your Dragon film has been a beloved children’s animated classic since its release 15 years ago. This past June, the live action adaptation entered theaters with box office success. The film is currently available to stream or rent on some digital platforms and will begin streaming on Peacock October 10.
Newcomers Mason Thames and Nico Parker lead the film as Hiccup and Astrid, two dragonslayers in-training. While Hiccup and Astrid’s romance is in its early stages in the film, the chemistry between Thames and Parker is explosive on screen and develops the basis of the relationship that will form in later adaptations. Thames hits the nail on the head with his portrayal of Hiccup, whose comedic timing through the character’s awkwardness mirrors similar moments from the original film. However, Nico Parker’s portrayal of Astrid and changes to the beloved character have come under fire. Although Parker does not physically resemble the character from the animated version, she still gives an accurate performance of the Astrid’s determination and strength.
Supporting characters include Snoutlout, twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut, and Fishlegs, fellow slayers in-training. The standout of this group is Fishlegs, portrayed by New Zealand actor Julian Dennison. Dennison’s performance is perfectly adapted for live action as he captures the character’s goofiness and geeky attributes perfectly. The other three, while offering solid renditions, lack that same accuracy, becoming caricatures of their characters.
For me, the standout of the film is Toothless, the notorious dragon that Hiccup befriends. The design of the character comes across as cartoonish, but he is also just realistic enough that audiences understand Hiccup’s fear when he sees Toothless for the first time. All in all, the movie has made true that kids today can experience the same joy from How to Train Your Dragon and create the same memories that we made 15 years ago.