Yeah, I’m going to be a bit weird here and review a family movie. I have my reasons to do it on this blog which you’ll learn if you follow along to the end. Trust me. lol…

As promised, here is my review of the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon.”  

For those who just want the short version, it’s great. It follows the original almost perfectly (in the 90th percentile, I’d say) and is a lot of fun to watch in 3D.

The longer version:

To be fair to this remake, I watched the original DreamWorks movie this afternoon before going to the prescreening in the evening. This made it easy to say how closely the remake follows the original. I could almost quote the movie tonight. There are some additions and subtractions, and no one should be surprised by them. This is one case where, as with the Lord of the Rings movies, I like this version better than the original. 

Why?  Let’s talk about Astrid first.  Okay, she isn’t blonde.  The twins aren’t blonde.  Whatever.  Subtle changes to her dialogue made her a much stronger and likable character.  She talks about wanting to become a chieftain; she is very much more in charge during the finale than in the original.  She also shows more emotion and connection to Hiccup than in the original.  It was very well done.  

Fishlegs’ character got a lift, too.  He was funnier and more engaging than in the original.  The Twins are and will always be the Twins.  That chemistry wasn’t touched at all except to add more of a vibe of Girl Power on the part of the girl twin and Astrid (all from the twin).

Gerald Butler did a fantastic job of being Stoic (both in name and acting…lol).  If there’s one criticism I might have, it’s how Scottish the Vikings sounded, but that’s also true in the original.

Returning to Astrid’s character, DreamWorks or Disney or whoever also made the rest of the female characters a bit more than they had been previously, but not so much that it was bad.  I felt it was a good thing.  This is even translated to side characters.  We got to see who Snotlot’s (sp?) dad was and the dynamic there, or lack thereof.  We saw Astrid’s parents, too.  

As for the addition of other races to the mix of Brek Island, I checked, and Google says, “There is evidence.” This was very possible. I really don’t care, and it didn’t detract from the story or overtake it in any way. I do have the irreverent question of wondering if, when, and if we see a movie that is or was predominantly one race, we will also see Caucasian mixtures? Who knows? Whatever.

The movie is good.  There’s a short scene after the credits, but it’s not worth waiting for since it only shows Hiccup opening up the Dragon Manual again, and it looks like he will add Night Furies to it.  It could just be a replay of the original shot.

Ok, that was the vanilla review I shared with friends and family.  I have a couple things to add from a D/s point of view.  Aren’t you glad you waited?

One thing that gets brought up in the movie that is a very subtle point but one that D/s folks should see or recognize.  Astrid’s first ride on Toothless is a bit chaotic. (Spoiler alerts ahead if you’ve never seen the movie).  In this remake, Hiccup claims he’s like the co-pilot when he and Toothless fly.  As the ride gets a bit bumpy, Astrid calls him on this and he finally admits he doesn’t seem to be in control at all.  Astrid then reaches down to apologize to Toothless directly.  Toothless accepts it and gives control back to Hiccup.

Did you catch it?

Toothless gave control back to Hiccup because the dragon might have a rig on it and leather and so forth but the dragon still is truly in control.  The dragon just gives control over to Hiccup by consent.  This is true of all the dragons who end up helping the villagers. This is also how D/s dynamics work.  Consent is earned, given, and not taken or demanded.  The true power is and always will be with the one who is submitting.

Now, I’m going to get even weirder.  I know…that’s a scary thought, right?  Well, I go to the scene after Hiccup is left behind as the Vikings use Toothless to go to the Nest.  I want to rewrite it a little.

Astrid walks up slowly to find Hiccup sitting on the side of the hill in thought.  Her movements are a bit slower and more painful than normal but most people wouldn’t see it.  Hiccup doesn’t.

Fast forward to when Hiccup admits he should have just killed Toothless to begin with but didn’t.  

“It would have been better for everyone if I had.” He said.

Astrid nodded.  “True.  It would have been and any one of us would have done it.  Why didn’t you?”

Hiccup got up, thinking she has questioned his courage.  “Okay, I admit it.  I wouldn’t kill a dragon.  I’m a coward.”

“You said wouldn’t this time, not couldn’t.” Astrid pointed out.

“Why are you so fixated on this?” He shouted.

She looked him dead in the eye.  “My father just strapped my ass raw and used another one when I wouldn’t renounce you.  I want to remember what you say to this today.  I want to know if it was worth it.  If you’re worth me.”

End of my version.

Let’s be honest.  Viking parents that see their girl protect and stand by a traitor like Hiccup seemed to be?  They wouldn’t just shake their heads.  They’d have something to say or do about it with their daughter that has disgraced them to the village.  This is my thought anyway.

Okay, there ya go. Me being me.