Review: 'How To Train Your Dragon 2'

Dreamworks and Pixar seem to be the two leading studios in computer animation these days. And both have very different, albeit unique, styles as well. When you look at a Pixar movie, you can almost tell that there is a Disney-like quality to the characters. With Dreamworks, they've basically started from scratch. So I guess, in some ways, that makes them significant.

With Dreamwork Animation's latest film, 'How To Train Your Dragon 2', they've proved themselves to be one of the best there is when it comes to family entertainment today. Not only is their animation at the highest peak it's ever been, with some of the most realistic looking earthly elements (ice, water, fire, smoke), they've managed to not lose track of the characters we grew to love from the first movie, which are why we're here in the first place. Of course, there are fun sweeping action and adventure sequences, but occasionally there are some fairly tender moments as well, bringing a deeply human element to these cartoon creations.

Once again on the animation, it is so good that there moments that made me think if really was looking at either animation or something real. Just one example, very simple yet effective; When characters walk out from shadows into light, and vice versa, it feels like they're really there. Their motions are similar to that of a real flesh and blood being, with only the occasional cartoonish fluctuations and movement. 

I also would like to just take this moment and express how much I love the character of Toothless, the dragon. I don't believe I've ever wanted a pet dragon more in my life than I did while watching this dragon in both this film and its predecessor. He's the perfect dragon pet, if ever there was such a thing. He's loyal, gentle, and extremely playful. But also, when he needs to be, fierce and greatly protective of his owner. Toothless is both charming and cool, all in one.

How good is the movie, in comparison to the first one? I would honestly have to say that it's just as good, not better. But hey, not all sequels are better than their original. In fact, most tend to be worse. So in the case of 'How To Train Your Dragon 2', it's riding a fine line.

My rating: 3 / 4