Dir: Dean DeBlois/Chris Sanders
How good was this?! It’s a pretty conventional story arc but the real treat is the visual design, both in terms of detail (the Norse textures and trappings are great) and scope. No surprise then to see Roger Deakins credited as visual consultant - the Coen Bros. cinematographer was also used in the same capacity on Wall-E.
The relationship between the boy and his dragon is handled gently; the ‘training’ aspect occupies the middle section and is mostly dialogue-free. As the bond forms between them, the companionship develops - so when real peril comes in the final act, there’s a palpable tension with it.
(image via moviesmedia.ign.com)
Inneresting.
ReplyDeleteI'm in two minds about it. Visually, lovely. Espesh the scenes where the boy and the dragon are learning to trust one another, but I really disliked those silly kid characters and most of the rest of it was pretty forgettable.
Didn't you wish at the end that the dragon's wing would magically be repaired so that if he DID want to be free, he could be? Hmmmm...
I'd agree it's a bog-standard story arc and yes, those other kids weren't likeable. I don't remember them being in it too much, though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame Toothless doesn't get his tail back but there's a symmetry between the boy and dragon, given the surprising reveal at the end showing that Hiccup is forever changed by the experience. (I'm avoiding spoilers here).
Thank you for your insight BTW, CW!
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