Official Blog For Author Thomas McClurg

I know this one’s been out a bit by i just saw it and wanted to review it.

First Cg movie for me to review and as such eliminates the need for me to look at things like acting, although voice acting is definitely important here.

To begin with a summary, this was my favorite dreamworks animation movie to date. Up to this point all the truly memorable animated movies have come almost exclusively from Pixar, and while the Shrek series has been hugely popular it highlights what i perceive as a major flaw in past dreamworks efforts.

They rely heavily on gags, gimmicks, inside jokes, pop culture references, big name actors doing the voices who aren’t necessarily all that good at voice acting.

Going back to Shrek, I’ve enjoyed them, but they’re essentially a giant fairy tale gag reel, fun to watch and laugh at, but they’ve never left me with a lasting impression the way Monster’s Inc, The Incredibles, or Wall-E did (just to name a few)

The stories, the writing, it never seemed to flow as easily for Dreamworks as it did for Pixar. That being said i enjoyed “How to Train Your Dragon” equally as much as my favorite Pixar movies.

Which is interesting since i’m pretty sure it’s based on a book. So not original Dreamworks material, nevertheless they brought it all together beautifully.

I’m not a CG artist or an animator so it’s tough to critique things like the presentation and what not, but i loved how the vikings were designed and portrayed, almost as wide as they are tall with immense beards cascading down from their faces. IP saw the movie in IMAX 3D and the detail on things like the beards was amazing. They looked so soft and fuzzy. I equally enjoyed the contrast in size between the adult vikings and the teenagers, (I’m assuming they were teenagers) and the fact that everyone sees the monstrous disparity as normal makes it even funnier in my opinion. I could go on and on, so suffice to say, my eyes were not complaining.

Neither were my ears. Despite all the things that take place, there aren’t all that many voices given screen time, so if there had been a weak one it would have been noticeable. Thankfully there wasn’t. Gerard Butler was born to do the voice of a viking, and the teen’s voices were just as believable and engaging.

But the real treat for me was the story. As a lover of all things mythical, I’d wager dragons are near the top of every one’s list of most beloved fantasy critters. The personality and diversity in the dragons puts a new spin on the mythical beast and makes the concept of dragons feel fresh and creative.

The story may have followed a predictable arc, but it’s one that movie goers love. You know Astarid (SP)? will eventually soften on Hiccup, you know Toothless will get captured because of Hiccup, you know Stoic will spend most of the movie confused and frustrated by Hiccup. All the familar set pieces for the story are there and they all happen in clockwork order, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable or emotionally engaging when they occur.

As i mentioned in my review of Clash of the Titans, where i said there were things i enjoyed but was left unsatisfied, this movie is the opposite. “How to Train Your Dragon” had all the things i wanted in all the right amounts and didn’t leave me with a single area of complaint leaving the theatre.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable, satisfying move, and the best Dreamworks has done to date in my opinion.