Geek For E!

Movie Review: How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), A-

As most of us out there have become accustomed to in this day and age of up to the minute updates, I thought I would start out with the bottom line. Give you the details of the movies in a quick excerpt.  Go see, it’s better than the 1st, by many a dragon!

There, now that you know my opinion, let me explain a bit about why it’s such a fantastic film.

Storyline:

As a young kid I was always picked on as being a momma’s boy. Would you rather not be a momma’s boy? Hiccup couldn’t have been as his mother was in the picture. It was always his larger than line, clan leading, stud Stoic who raised him into the small miniature viking we all know and love. The story follows Hiccup into a new world, 5 or so years after the first movie, in a struggle on who he is and what the world holds for him.   The way it unfolds is gorgeous, a true “love” story of types creating an even bigger story for us all to enjoy. I won’t give any away but I was selfishly delighted at what unfolded before my eyes.  And speaking of eyes – this is movie is gorgeous!!!

Animation:

I was lucky enough to bring my two older daughters with the film to me and we all looked fabulous in our sweet 3D glasses. The movie started and right from the get-go the animation was spotless. Such a beautiful world in which a story unfolds. From the wings of the dragons, the clouds in which the fly, the world that was brought to life was amazing.  The hair on the heads, the action scenes, the ice, the fire, the action scenes (did I say action scenes yet?) are amazingly detailed. I cannot wait for the HD version of this live on in my library on my Apple TV.  This second iteration looks amazing, detailed, brighter, better. Just a step up in so many ways.

Conclusion:

So many times we find ourselves in the movie theater watching an animated film that has one or the other, a truly great story with so so animation or a vividly wild experience with lack of story.  This is not the case with Hiccup and his rag tag crew of Vikings. DreamWorks Animation has stepped up it’s game and really has made folks pay attention and sit up. There was laughter, and a round of applause before we left the theater. Everyone, of all ages, enjoyed this film!  Straight from my 8 year olds mouth, “that is my favorite movie, more so than Frozen”. That is a BIG statement coming from the oldest of three girls. I am not sure how many times I have seen Frozen since it has come out, but I have lost count. I look forward to losing count with Hiccup and Toothless again soon!

Submitted by Geek For E’s – Matthew Snider