How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Streaming Service: Hulu

Movie Name/Year: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure

Length: 104 minutes

Rating: PG

Production/Distribution: DreamWorks Animation, Mad Hatter Entertainment, Dentsu, Fuji Television Network, Universal Animation Studios, Andes Films, B&H Film Distribution, CJ CGV Viet Nam, CinemArt, Finnkino, Forum Film Bulgaria, Karantanija Cinemas, NCG Distribution, Ro Image 2000, Silverbird Distribution, Toho-Towa, Tulip Entertainment, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures International (UPI), Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE)

Director: Dean DeBlois

Writer: Dean DeBlois, Cressida Cowell

Actors: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Kit Harington, Justin Rupple, Robin Atkin Downes, Kieron Elliott, Julia Emelin, Gideon Emery, Ashley Jensen, AJ Kane, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, James Sie, David Tennant

Blurb from IMDb: When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek "The Hidden World", a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.

Selina’s Point of View:

I don’t care what anyone says. How to Train Your Dragon is the greatest full-length animated film series in existence. I’m including all the Disney movies in that statement – old and new. I know it’s not the popular viewpoint, but I believe it 100%. I haven’t seen the TV series or shorts, however, so I’m just talking in terms of full-length features.

I’ve never seen a film series where every single sequel is just as good, or better, than the last. It’s simply a given that sequelitis will rear its ugly, over-budgeted, bloated head. Except in this case.

The series is very good at mixing young and more mature humor with sensitive and heart-wrenching themes. Throughout the movies we witness the death of a beloved character, the reuniting of a family, the loss of a limb, and the changing of prejudice minds. It’s the way the series touches on those more difficult subjects that keeps me coming back for more. It’s always handled so well, with grace and honor, without stepping out of ‘family film’ territory.

I adored the first film. It’s one of those flicks that has stuck with me since the first time I watched it. It immediately resonated with me for no other reason than how amazing it was. I was so nervous when I saw the second one, and then I wound up loving it.

One of the very best aspects of the films is just how right the creators get the characterization.

Hiccup and Toothless never stop evolving – both individually and together. You can follow their arcs like the writers are holding your hand and walking you through it and it never becomes tedious. It never seems forced. Every growth, every failure, ever success – the story is right there supporting it. The main characters, at the end of this film, are not the same as they were at the beginning of the first. It’s so inexplicably realistic, especially for an animated fantasy series.

This film also touched on self-sacrifice and letting go, without losing the idea of love that exists in relationships – even over distance. I’m not gonna lie, it brought tears to my eyes.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was my favorite of the trilogy. It was a strong finish to a strong series. It was absolute and satisfying.

I will be watching this movie many times in the future. Hell, maybe I’ll just set up a day to marathon the whole trilogy.

The only regret I have is that I didn’t get to see it in theaters. Some of the imagery in the film was outstanding. I can only imagine how gorgeous it would be on the big screen.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 91%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 86%

Metascore – 71/100

Metacritic User Score – 8.0/10

IMDB Score – 7.5/10

CinemaScore – A

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5

  

Movie Trailer: