by Rocio Fermin
Watching How to Train Your Dragon live-action film in 3D felt like soaring through the skies of Berk alongside Hiccup and Toothless. The movie is so believable that you’d think dragons exist in real life! I daresay that this adaptation surpasses expectations – and how. After a slew of frustrating adaptations this year, HTYG is a breath of fresh flying fanged reptilian air!
Staying True to the Story
It’s been 15 years since the original animated film—and when that movie came out, I wasn’t even born yet. I remember watching the animated version many years ago and from what I can recall, this 2025 remake is as brilliant, if not more so than the original. There’s plenty of dragon action, Hiccup’s trademark awkward charm, and most importantly, it’s a story that stays true to its roots.
At the premiere, it was hard to tell who was more captivated. The kids were wide-eyed with wonder and the grown-ups had the same look but wearing bigger smiles. They must be remembering the characters from a decade and a half ago. Dragons flew across the screen, the Vikings were as feisty as ever, and the most elusive Night Fury Toothless gained a host of new fans as he soared in the sky.
Unbreakable Bonds
Truly, the heart of the story remains the bond between a scrawny Viking boy and the fiercest dragon of them all. In the remake, that connection feels more grounded. Hiccup takes his time taming the black dragon, and eventually, gains the latter’s trust. In between, he learns ways and tricks on “how to train a dragon” and applies those techniques in the village contest. To the dismay of his competitors, he comes out victorious as he defeats one winged predator after another.
Actor Mason Thames makes Hiccup his own. The live action version shows a more sensitive boy – not bumbling- rather one who has empathy for the creature considered as the village enemy. He still brings the same nervous charm, but there’s a quiet strength that builds inside him as the film progresses. Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast is perfectly cast as the Viking chief and Hiccup’s father (He was the voice actor in the animated film). His brute strength and ferocity makes him credible as the dragon killer.
Undeniably, the film is also about the relationship of father and son. Breaking the tradition that sons will forever be in the shadows of their warrior fathers, HTYG shows how sons come into their own (quite literally) and are capable of so much more than their dads could ever dream for them. I believe the same is true about daughters — of course! I mean, look at Astrid and Ruffnut (the girl twin).
It Takes a Berk Village
The supporting cast is also good. Nico Parker’s Astrid is focused and fierce, but not without warmth. The rest of the gang—actors who played Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut—deliver the perfect mix of chaos and comedic relief. It really does feel like the characters stepped out of the animated world and into this one without missing a beat.
Visually, the film is grounded in tactile detail. The worn wood of Berk’s buildings, the smoky glow of the forge, the sea spray on the cliffs—these aren’t just fantasy sets, they feel lived-in. The costumes are practical and show signs of wear, suited for a world where dragons are real threats. At the same time, the designs are so stylish that my brother and I kept nudging each other, quietly debating which character’s gear we’d want to wear ourselves. As for the CGI, Toothless doesn’t just look real—he moves like a living creature. His tail flicks when he’s annoyed, his wings shift with weight, and in the quietest moments, his smallest actions say the most.
I’m genuinely excited for this movie to pull a whole new generation into the world of Berk—and for longtime fans to fall in love all over again. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to train a dragon, braid your hair like Astrid, or argue with your sibling about who gets to be Toothless. If this is your first trip to Berk, welcome. If it’s your hundredth, it still feels like home. And if you have the chance to see it in 3D…Better get ready for the (dragon) ride of your life.
