How To Train Your Dreamworks Animators

Dreamworks Animation is perhaps the second best known (and the second most successful) contemporary animation company in the world, after Pixar. But despite their achievements, most of their output leaves me unimpressed. The first Shrek was OK, but the sequels struggled to find their mark. Madagascar, Monsters Vs Aliens and Kung Fu Panda were fun, but flimsy. And Sharks Tale sucks. Only Over The Hedge has had the right combination of story, comedy and characters to warrant being called a 'good' film...and even that wasn't quite up to Pixar standards. Well, with How To Train Your Dragon they've got a second impressive string in their bow.

It's the tale of a misfit Viking boy whose clan are at war with the dragons of the world. While his warrior father (Gerard Butler) struggles to defend the village and figure ot what to do with his wayward son, the boy, Hiccup, befriends an injured dragon. Dreamworks wisely go for a tone dominated by the weight of the story rather than impose a jokey feel on the movie. It's a big scale fantasy adventure, first and foremost, with the comedy less forced and silly than their other efforts. The characters are clearly defined, the script is sharp and well structured and the relationships are relatable and touching.

But there's a few things that stood out:-
1/ The relationship between Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless, is the heart of the movie. Without that key, believable affection between animal and master, the whole plot would loose it's power. As it is, the relationship acts as a hook on which the emotional bulk of the story is hung.
2/ Craig Ferguson's dragonslayer trainer, Gobber, is great. He's got the best humorous lines and sharpest delivery as the comic relief of the film.
3/ There's a great John Powell score which enhances the adventurous spirit of the film. For example there's a sequence where Hiccup saddles and rides Toothless for the first time...and a later one where he takes his girlfriend on her first flight too. Both sequences are more awe inspiring than the similar set-piece in Avatar. Sure James Cameron's sequence is cool and is 100% times better looking, but Dragon's has more whomph!

Still not up to Pixar standards then, but a rollicking good yarn and surprisingly well told. It's just a pity that Dreamworks have got Panda and Madagascar sequels on the horizon...