'Genuine 3D', a great story and good voice-work make this CGI fable a winner...

How to Train Your Dragon was filmed in 3D, as opposed to being converted afterwards, and this really pays off. Most of it is relatively subtle, but it really helps to immerse the viewer in the immaculately designed world of the film, and hence the emotion of each particular scene. And it makes the action sequences even more stunning, as dragons shoot fireballs, sparks fly, and things hurtle through the air.

It begins with a fantastic opening sequence, with Jay Baruchel’s snarky, hilarious voiceover leading into a frenetic, dazzling action setpiece, making full use of the 3D as all different kinds of dragons descend upon the island of Berk, to be taken on by fearless Vikings. It establishes the world, story and characters very quickly, along with the film’s distinctive, quirky sense of humour and flair for exciting action.

The rest of the film takes its cue from this fast-paced introduction. The story keeps moving forward smoothly and swiftly, not wasting any time.

Hiccup yearns to be a dragon hunter like the rest of his tribe, but doesn’t have what it takes. When he downs a mysterious, fearsome Night Fury dragon, which no-one has ever seen, he has the chance to kill it and become a hero in the eyes of his tribe and his father. He doesn’t.

After he spares its life, Hiccup and the dragon (which he names Toothless) develop an unusual friendship. Secretly from the rest of the tribe, he repairs its tail, and they learn to fly together. At the same time, he goes into training to fight dragons with his peers.

(Geeky aside: if the Night Fury is like the Great Leonopteryx in Avatar, then Hiccup is kind of like Toruk Makto, Rider of Last Shadow.)

As he learns about dragons firsthand, he puts this newfound experience into practice to excel in his training, driving him apart from the girl of his dreams, Astrid (voiced by Ugly Betty’s America Ferrara).

Meanwhile, the tribe’s leader, Stoick the Vast (played by Gerard Butler), leads the Viking warriors on a quest to destroy the dragon nest once and for all. He’s like William Stryker from the X-Men franchise, in that he hates dragons, but isn’t above using one to serve his purposes.

The animation for Stoick is extraordinarily expressive. There’s so much emotion in his face, and it’s clear that they based the animation very closely on Gerard Butler’s performance.

Also, the animation of the world of the film is beautiful. A couple of shots might perhaps look a little simplistic out of context, but as a whole the animation is superb.

There’s great voice work, particularly from Jay Baruchel (the new Justin Long, in my opinion) as the nervous, geeky Hiccup (especially his wisecracking voiceover), Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast, and Craig Ferguson as the blacksmith and trainer Gobber. There’s also amusing support from Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Jonah Hill.

Also, according to the credits, one of the characters was voiced by David Tennant, but I couldn’t tell which: he probably didn’t have a significant role.

The supporting characters could have perhaps been given a little more screentime, but as the film stands, the main storyline moves quickly and engagingly, which is more important.

With cool action sequences (which further the story) featuring aerial combat, fire-breathing dragons, and axe-wielding Vikings, loads of quirky, off-beat humour, and atmospheric, epic music by John Powell, the film really delivers in terms of visuals, action, laughs, and simple, powerful emotion.

I love the world of the film, with the whole mythology of the different kinds of dragons, and how the Viking culture basically classifies them all as “Very dangerous. Kill on sight.” Hiccup, of course, is different, and his arc, tied to his growing friendship with Toothless, is inspiring to watch.

A fantastic, funny, heart-warming, rip-roaring blockbuster that’s also a work of art, How to Train Your Dragon is one of the finest animated films I’ve seen, and well worth seeing in 3D.

How To Train Your Dragon is on general release now

See also:

Kung Fu Panda 2 - 3D review

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