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Released on June 13, 2025, the live-action adaptation of "How to Train Your Dragon" is directed, written, and produced by Dean DeBlois, who also helmed the original animated trilogy.
This film is a reimagining of the 2010 animated movie, itself based on Cressida Cowell’s book series.
The film stars Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid and features Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick the Vast, but now in a physical live-action form rather than just voice acting.
The story closely follows the original plot of the animated film. The son of the Viking chief, Hiccup, befriends a rare species of dragons, the Night Fury, after initially attempting to kill the dragon to prove his worth to his father.
He names the dragon Toothless and challenges the long-standing enmity between Vikings and dragons. The film explores themes of friendship, courage, and leadership as Hiccup and Toothless work to bridge the divide between their peoples amidst an emerging ancient threat.
The film indeed has some differences when compared to its animated counterpart. The most obvious one is the visuals.
The live-action film adopts a "visceral photorealism" style, aiming for a raw, authentic experience that makes the Viking world and dragons feel tangible and believable, unlike the more stylized animation.
In contrast to the animated feature, which was intended primarily for younger audiences, the tone is darker and more emotionally sophisticated, geared at a teenage audience with bigger stakes and more dangerous action.
There were some changes made to the characters in the film.
Not complete changes, but extra additions to a character’s story that weren’t present in the animated film.
One example of this is Snotlout's character being given more depth by exploring his troubled relationship with his father, which motivates his behavior.
This backstory is absent in the animated film.
The Village Elder also has a larger presence in the live-action version, appearing more frequently though still non-speaking, unlike her limited role in the animated film.
Despite these differences, the live-action film is largely a shot-for-shot recreation of the original animated movie’s key scenes and pacing, preserving the core story and character arcs.
Reactions to the live-action version of "How to Train Your Dragon" (2025) have been largely favorable, with many complimenting its powerful performances, striking cinematography, and faithful yet innovative retelling.
The casting was widely praised, especially Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid, with many noting the actors embodied their characters authentically and emotionally.
The CGI dragons, especially Toothless, were described as "incredibly realistic" and faithful to the animated designs, blending seamlessly with the live-action environments.
The utilization of authentic scenery and cinematography created a rich, engrossing mood that transcended the stylized appearance of the animation and enhanced the Viking world.
Described as a "stunning, faithful revival" and "pure perfection," viewers suggested that both moviegoers and newcomers should see the film.
There were isolated complaints about certain performances being stilted or the tone being too dark and visually murky in parts.
A few viewers criticized the pacing, especially the slower build-up compared to the animated film.
To sum things up, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is a successful adaptation that respects the source material while offering a more grounded and emotionally intense experience.
It has been praised for its casting, visual effects, music, and faithful storytelling, making it one of the standout live-action remakes of recent years.
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