How to Train Your Dragon 2 *** (2014, voices of Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett) – Movie Review

Kids and their attendant grown-ups will be satisfied with writer-director Dean DeBlois’s robust, pleasant and amusing yet unnecessary sequel to the DreamWorks 2010 animation hit, based on Cressida Cowell‘s book series.

It’s altogether totally fine and entertaining. The characters are appealing, the 3D animation is beautifully conceived with immense, immersive detail, and the flight and combat sequences are hugely impressive. But, with the fresh and surprising factor inevitably removed, it does not seem quite as funny, appealing or delightful as it was back in 2010. Despite the feisty battles, the shocking tragic death of one of the major characters, and the highly emotional dramatic arrival of another, it has all got a bit soft and soapy, with some all too cosy animation and ridiculously cuddly dragons. Well, I ask you!

Jay Baruchel again provides the appealing voice of teenage hero Hiccup, who with his buddy, tamed winged beast Toothless (and Randy Thom), discovers an ice cave that’s home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider. With Hiccup forced to lead his tribe of strangely Scottish-speaking Vikings, a battle against another tribe intent on capturing the dragons ensues so Hiccup and pals can protect the peace.

Cate Blanchett’s Scottish accent as Valka is truly shameful, though why the Vikings are speaking Scottish still totally escapes me. Weren’t any Scottish actresses available? Gerard Butler‘s patriarch Stoick of course genuinely speaks in a glorious Scots brogue, and he’s still the best character in the movie, whatever misguided things they want to do with him.

Craig Ferguson provides more Scots tones as Gobber, but Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and T.J. Miller aren’t as authentically funny as you’d expect as Snotlout, Fishlegs and Tuffnut. More laugh lines in the script are needed for them to have effective impact.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

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