HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

It's been almost a decade since Dreamworks released one of their most serious and successful animated features, How To Train Your Dragon. Prior to its release, Dreamworks were best known for films such as Madagascar, Bee Movie and Kung Fu Panda which, while enjoyable for younger viewers, were hard to take seriously by adults accompanying young children. However, How To Train Your Dragon proved to be suitable for the whole family as it told a simple story about the unlikely friendship between a young Viking, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and a Night Fury dragon, Toothless. After impressing critics and succeeding at the box office, a sequel was released four years later and was an improvement over its predecessor in terms of animation, character development and story. Its success lead to a third and final instalment being released, however, is it a fitting conclusion to the How To Train Your Dragon franchise?

Now chief and ruler of Berk alongside Astrid (America Ferrera), Hiccup has created a gloriously chaotic dragon utopia. When the sudden appearance of female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must leave the only home they've known and journey to a hidden world thought only to exist in myth. As their true destinies are revealed, dragon and rider will fight together-to the very ends of the Earth-to protect everything they've grown to treasure.

Prior to watching the first How To Train Your Dragon film shortly after its release in 2010, I was skeptical as I thought that it was going to be a boring and predictable film only enjoyed by younger viewers. Fortunately, I couldn't have been more wrong and it beat my expectations. Despite enjoying the first film, I didn't see the first sequel as I didn't think it would match the quality of its predecessor and, again, I was wrong. I was really impressed by how seriously the writers took the film and how they weren't afraid to take risks and dumb down the narrative for younger viewers. I was very surprised when a main character was killed off halfway through. I think that this is why the How To Train Your Dragon films will appeal more to older viewers as, while there are lighthearted and entertaining moments throughout, there are a few scenes that may be too intense for younger viewers. The third film, The Hidden World, has the same tone as its predecessors and it ends the franchise on a high and is a thrilling and emotional conclusion.

The narrative follows Hiccup as he struggles to keep his people and the dragons of Berk safe. He remembers that his father, who was the previous Chief, spoke of a 'hidden world' and Hiccup becomes determined to find it. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done and the task of keeping everyone safe becomes even more difficult after being threatened by Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), a dragon hunter who wants nothing more than to capture and kill Toothless. While the narrative is fairly similar to its predecessor (an evil villain wanting to capture Toothless), I still found it to be a compelling watch. Grimmel made for a good antagonist as his actions were unpredictable and I was never sure what he was going to do next.

An aspect that has improved with each How To Train Your Dragon film was its animation and that hasn't changed with The Hidden World. It's an animated feature that deserves to be experienced on the big screen as the animators have clearly worked really hard. The animation is at its best when Hiccup and Astrid discover the titular hidden world, a home for dragons. The scene is filled with vibrant colours and is impressively designed, much like the dragons themselves. 

In the first How To Train Your Dragon film, Hiccup was an awkward individual and struggled to live up to his father's expectations. However, since then, he has developed into a true hero. Now the Chief of Berk, Hiccup must make important decisions, including finding a new home for his people and dragons. What I liked most about Hiccup's character is that he's not perfect, however, he is still determined to keep everyone safe. A highlight of the How To Train Your Dragon films is the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. After discovering a female Night Fury, named 'Light Fury', Hiccup and Toothless begin drifting apart after the latter becomes close with the Light Fury. Hiccup feels lonely without Toothless and tries to keep him but he soon learns that the only way to keep Toothless and the rest of the dragons safe is by letting them go and live in the Hidden World. It's a heartbreaking decision that leads to a bittersweet ending, however, it's the right decision as the Hidden World proves to be the perfect home for the dragons.

Most of the actors from the previous films return to voice their characters and they each give a solid performance, including Baruchel as Hiccup, Ferrera as Astrid and supporting roles from Kristen Wiig as Ruffnut, Jonah Hill as Snotlout and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fishlegs who each bring comic relief. Cate Blanchett returns as Hiccup's mother, Valka, unfortunately, she doesn't get as much screen time as she did in the previous film, and Abraham brings intensity to Grimmel.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World matches the quality of its predecessors in terms of animation, character development and its ability to tell an engaging story that is thrilling and full of adventure. There isn’t a dull moment to be found in its 104 minute runtime and, with a runtime of under two hours, it moves at a brisk pace.

The ending is moving and those that have spent the past nine years supporting the How To Train Your Dragon franchise will find it very emotional. Overall, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

8/10