Movie "How To Train Your Dragon" (2010)

[workinwifdakids]

Today, I took Eldest Daughter and Youngest Daughter to the movies and we saw the animated movie "How to Train Your Dragon." I'm glad I saw it with my daughters, but if you have a son it's a must-see for you both. The movie follows the relationship of a dragon-fighting Viking who is the elder of his village, and his son, a Viking-in-name-only who'd rather be fabricating in his shop and reading books than being a bloodthirsty killer of flying serpents. We've seen this script before: a father disappointed in who his son is but desperate for a relationship, and a son who can't measure up but desperate, too, and neither speaks the other's language. I haven't seen a movie take that premise and drive it home in a way that isn't icky-sweet, but this left me satisfied and with something to think about. At one point, a character tells the boy, "You need to stop trying so hard to be what you're not." That's a lesson I'm still trying to wrap my head around.

The father's voice is played by Gerard Butler, the amazing actor from Law Abiding Citizen but best-known for playing the lead role of King Leonidas in the film 300.
[spoiler][/spoiler]
^ Yeah, this guy. So the voice was completely believable. Any movie (even animated) has to allow the suspension of disbelief, and emotionally I (most people too, I'd imagine) have that voice linked with one of the fiercest warriors ever brought to screen. The match was perfect. The 'trusty sidekick' type was voiced by Craig Ferguson, so again what a great pairing of voice to character. They have this character for exasperated mentor to the boy, and for general comedic effect throughout, and a known comic is playing his voice.

This may actually be a real spoiler, so be careful:
[spoiler]This movie is also about how to treat others who are different, and it was really touching and tastefully done.[/spoiler]

The official movie web site is here, but it's graphic intensive, opens with sound, and has the movie trailer on auto play.)

The trailer is also here (HD optional) on YouTube.

[mekender]

my 4 year old loves it

[Denis]

Saw it in 3D with Mrs Denis and some colleagues. Really enjoyed it. Recommended.

[Lokidude]

My wife and I loved this movie. No, we don't have kids, we went on a date. Yes, to a kids movie. Kids movies make us smile and remember when movies were just for fun and entertainment, and we like that.

[FelixEstrella]

Read the book(s) too. VERY entertaining. After taking my kids to see it, my son wanted to read the book. When it arrived he disappeared and read it in one sitting.

[Legman688]

+ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 on that.

"We're Vikings. We have stubborness issues." - I laughed so hard at that I nearly fell out of my chair. If you knew my family (we're mostly Norse, and "stubborn" doesn't begin to cover it) you would understand how hysterically funny that is. It only got better from there.

I more or less made my entire family go see it. They all said it was wonderful, and were glad I made them.

And yes, there are some very good messages about how to treat people who are "different" - in all kinds of ways.

I want my own dragon now though!

[Little Sister]

We went to see this one in our one screen theater and LOVED IT! Did not get to see the 3D version but the regular way was fine. When he was teaching his dragon, all I could think of was my cat. She plays just like that one (well, except for the flying) especially with the light.

I was really glad to see it as soon as it came out because our theater can only play one movie at a time. We are waaaaayyyyyyy back in the woods.

[workinwifdakids]

^^^ IT'S A GIRL!