The much-loved story of a boy and his dragon returns – this time in live-action form. You get real actors and actual landscapes in a story about an imaginative world where dragons are slayed because they disrupt the locals’ lifestyle.
‘How to Train Your Dragon (2025)’ is the live-action adaptation of DreamWorks’ iconic animated film of the same name that first captured hearts in 2010. Its astounding success resulted in two more sequels in 2014 and 2019. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who also helmed the original trilogy, this film brings back the rich Viking world of Berk to life. At the heart of the story is the deep bond between a human and a mythical creature.
Fans of the animated series will find this movie both familiar and refreshingly new while newcomers are in for a visually striking introduction to a world where friendship conquers fear.
‘How to Train Your Dragon (2025)’ remains faithful to the original plotline of its animated predecessor. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a young Viking boy who is perceived as weak and clumsy. He lives on the island of Berk where fighting dragons is a way of life. However, Hiccup has a different ambition. He believes that there is no reason to fear dragons.
The best opportunity to prove himself comes one day when he manages to shoot down a rare and dangerous dragon known as a Night Fury. During his search for his kill, he finds the creature wounded and scared. Instead of killing it, Hiccup befriends the dragon. He soon names the creature ‘Toothless’.
Changing beliefs
As their association grows, Hiccup learns that all that he believes is true: dragons are not the bloodthirsty enemies the villagers think they are. However, earning the trust of his father, Stoick the Vast, and changing the beliefs of an entire Viking tribe is no walk in the park for this youth. This is what comes into the light in the film – courage, understanding, and the power of compassion.
If you compare the two versions what strikes you most is the realistic picture that the new film brings. In the 2010 animation, the world of Berk and the dragons were crafted with vibrant colours and expressive animation. This allows dragons like Toothless to feel almost cat-like in personality.
In the live-action version, while Toothless remains lovable, he now has a more realistic texture. You get a creature with sleek black scales, luminous green eyes, and lifelike expressions. This has both pros and cons. While a more lifelike picture is created in the new film, you also miss the old charm of Toothless’ playfulness being toned down. This may be because the team wished to fit the animal to the live-action world seamlessly.
Emotional depth
An advantage of the live-action adaptation is the emotional depth brought by real human performances. Hiccup’s internal struggle feels more raw when portrayed by a real performer like Mason Thames. The grief, confusion, and determination on his face feel more grounded than in the animation version. However, one drawback in this film is that at times, the dragons, though realistic, don’t always blend well into their settings. These can be found mostly in the daylight settings.
The cast delivers the story well. Mason Thames brings a quiet strength and sincerity to Hiccup. He manages to be awkward and brave at the same time. This is key to making the character relatable. Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast. His physical presence adds weight to the role and highlights the emotional gap between father and son.
The chemistry between Hiccup and Toothless is at the heart of the film. The CGI is cleverly used in these and strong acting skills enhance this. The supporting cast takes on their characters well and lets the story flow as realistically as possible.
This live-action remake does a commendable job of reintroducing a beloved tale to a new generation. It may not soar as effortlessly as its animated predecessor, but it still flies high enough to stir hearts and inspire imaginations. Whether you’re meeting Toothless for the first time or revisiting an old friend, this dragon is certainly worth the ride.
