DreamWorks Animation sets itself a new benchmark with “How to Train Your Dragon,” a disarmingly fun and exciting romp in a world of dueling Vikings and dragons.
Jay Baruchel does some deft voice work as Hiccup, the scrawny son of massive Viking warrior Stoick (Gerard Butler). Hiccup wants to be taken seriously as a dragon slayer, but when he actually downs a dragon — the rarest of them all, a night fury — he doesn’t have the heart to kill it.
Instead, he cautiously befriends the creature and works on developing a device that can assist the injured dragon in flying again.
Meanwhile, Hiccup flounders in dragon slaying school alongside classmates voiced by America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig.
Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, the directors of the delightful “Lilo and Stitch,” “How to Train Your Dragon” replicates their earlier film’s nimble blend of action and heart, and features more of their clever creature design.
High-flying aerial sequences feature some of the best animation DreamWorks has accomplished yet, resulting in several thrilling battles that adequately make use of the 3-D effects.
The film’s message of self-discovery treads near triteness occasionally, but there’s more than enough spectacular soaring and heartfelt moments in the well-conceived story to justify it.
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