How to Train Your Dragon Review: Stunning Visuals, Safe Storytelling in a Familiar Flight

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon takes to the skies with visual flair and heartfelt moments but offers little in the way of surprise. Directed once again by Dean DeBlois, the film feels more like a reverent remake than a bold reimagining—elevated by stunning effects, yet anchored too heavily in the familiar.

A Faithful, Frame-by-Frame Retelling

Instead of reinventing the narrative, the 2025 version closely follows the 2010 animated original. The coming-of-age arc, the bond between a boy and his dragon, and the father-son conflict are all here—intact and undisturbed. The key difference lies in texture. The hand-drawn warmth of the original has been replaced with misty visuals, realistic dragon design, and grounded production design that makes Berk feel more lived-in but less magical.

Mason Thames and a Grounded Hiccup

Mason Thames takes over as Hiccup, bringing subtle charm without overplaying the character’s awkwardness. His chemistry with Toothless—the central emotional thread—remains strong. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick, this time lending his character a more weathered, somber edge that enriches the father-son dynamic.

Toothless Steals the Show Again

The film’s emotional core still belongs to Toothless. Framestore’s VFX artists deliver a dragon that’s not just believable, but expressive. Every blink and twitch feels alive, and the silent bond between Toothless and Hiccup is as touching as ever. These quiet, intimate moments carry much of the film’s emotional weight.

Aerial Majesty Meets Emotional Heft—But Less Wonder

While the flight sequences are technically impressive, they don’t quite recapture the buoyant magic of the original. The live-action format brings realism, but that realism comes with gravity—literally and metaphorically. Where the animated version soared with lightness, this one feels heavier, more earthbound.

Minimal Additions, Missed Opportunities

There are minor expansions: Astrid (Nico Parker) gets slightly more screen time, and the dragon training academy is explored in more depth. However, none of these additions reshape the story or deepen the stakes. The film avoids missteps but also avoids risks, rarely veering from its predecessor’s blueprint.

Nick Frost adds light touches of humor as Gobber, but even the comic relief is more restrained. The emotional beats still work, but they echo rather than evolve.

Beautiful But Familiar

The visual effects are top-notch, and the dragon designs are intricate and dynamic. Berk looks rugged and real, with a moodier, more cinematic tone. Yet, it’s the same story told with more pixels and fewer sparks. The most impactful scenes remain the ones that moved us 15 years ago.

Final Verdict: Nostalgia with New Polish

The How to Train Your Dragon remake is sincere, polished, and clearly made with affection. It doesn’t aim to surpass the original but to honor it. That makes it an enjoyable, if unadventurous, experience. You’ll leave with your heart warmed—but maybe not lifted.

Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

Director: Dean DeBlois

Cast: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell