This is possibly one of my favourite films of the year. Very enjoyable,very funny, very dramatic, visually stunning and breathtaking. Thefilms pace is perfect, you feel like it ended exactly when it neededto. The animation is amazing. Several subtle characteristics come outfrom the animation That impresses me all the time. I have watched it atleast once a week since released on blu ray. I could try to give you adetailed break down into what is good about this film but I decided tojust let you watch it and then you will know. If you haven't seen italready then where have you been?! Don't take my 9 stars lightly, thisis better than megamind by far. Much more complete as a film. Now bringout the 3D version and stop hogging it SAMSUNG!

Yep - and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! Remember the facesof those hobbit-kids at the beginning from Lord of the Rings 1 whenthey're listening to Bilbo's story? I'm sure I've looked quite similarwhile I was watching this lovely fairytale 'How to Train your Dragon'unfold. Absolutely wonderful work, people from Dreamworks & CressidaCowell - thank you very, very much!

The story starts right in the middle of a dragon-attack of a smallViking-village. Since generations the villagers and the dragons appearto be each others favourite enemies, but via Hiccup it turns out thatthis dragon-terror of stealing sheep happens for a more banal reason:the dragons themselves are dominated by an über-dragon (I guess theburning the houses-part is just a form of stress-release-for-dragons).

Ergo: the status quo of things is going to change, for both thevillagers as for the dragons. And who's changing things? The über-Viking's son Hickup. Hiccup is not your average looser - Hiccup isdifferent (and thank god for him that the other members of the tribedon't consider that to be a threat) - just different ....

Watching "How to Train Your Dragon" on DVD, I had my first (and whatcould well be my last) case of 3-D regret. Watching the young vikingHiccup soaring on the back of his new pal Toothless the dragon made meseriously wish I'd seen the film in theaters and yes, in 3D, a mediumthat I've stood soundly against with exception of "Avatar." Itsabsence, however, is evident in DreamWorks' breathtaking"Avatar"-similar story of dragons and vikings misunderstanding eachother.

Much like "Avatar," "Dragon" tells a classic story of rivals onlybetween man and beast in this case, which hearkens to our mistreatmentof animals, but that's a lesson for another day. Hiccup (Jay Baruchel)is a sarcastic young viking who wants to be "cool" and demonstrate thestrong and fearless viking traits, but he's scrawny and as a resultisn't anything like his his dad, tribe leader Stoick the Vast (GerardButler). When Hiccup captures the most elusive of al dragon breeds, hethinks his days as a loser viking are over, but when he finds his prey,he can't bring himself to slay the beast and ends up befriending itinstead.

"Dragon" highlights how the misunderstood protagonist tends to be themost effective in animated/family films. As a "black sheep," wesympathize with the character and over the course of the film thatgrows to empathy, which strengthens when the character has a reversalof fortune. In this case, Hiccup's friendship with his dragon-friendToothless, leads him to learn things about dragons that can tame themand uses these techniques during dragon training to appear to haveoutsmarted the beasts. Then comes the accidental event that causesStoick to more or less disown his son and after that, you're fullyinvested in the story.

The humor in "Dragon" is much more minimal than say, "Kung Fu Panda"and certainly "Shrek," but what it lacks in laughs it makes up for intruthful storytelling, terrific visuals and overall cuteness. Amongwriters/directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders' best decisions ranksthe one to make the dragons a lot like dogs in their expressions andbehavior (when they're not shooting flames at people). Toothless'concept design gives him the versatility of scary and super friendlyand ultimately we learn to like him quickly.

Conventions in storytelling only go so far, but when they're adorned ingreat visuals and given a unique context such as the viking world (ashistorically awkward as that is if you know anything about vikings),they seem fresh and more importantly, serve as effective entertainment.Although the heart of the story will be gone for the upcoming sequeljust on the basis of how the movie ends, this creative team will nodoubt find a way to get the job done.

~Steven C

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Where can I begin a review when I have so much to say about this movie?Without giving anything away from the plot it is brilliant. forchildren it opens up a land of magic and wonder. For adults it is abreath taking experience full of love, struggle, and hardship thatdraws you in and never lets you go.

The characters in this movie were amazing and its what really made itcome together. I actually cared about them and what happened to them.and became worried when any one of them were in Danger especially atthe end. The love between the main character and his dragon isespecially a wonderful experience you can feel the emotion the dragonand the main character have for each other. It made me go out and bringmy dogs inside for the night. It also showcases the struggle familiessometimes experience you can just see how badly the main characterwants his father to be proud of him. And how much the father wishes toprotect his son as well as relate to him. You can feel there care andlove for each other even when things are at there worst. But it nevergoes overboard with love as so many movies do now a days it shows usthat life can be a struggle and full of dangers and hardship but we arenever alone and must never give up. The dialogue of the movie is spoton and I believed I would say the same thing in many of the situationsthe animation was perfect in all aspects.

Sound/Atmosphere Both are incredible the sound seems to be right on cueand is perfect from beginning to end it fits every single scene. TheSurronding land is breath taking it filled me with ideas and reallymade me want to be there.

Bottom line This movie is a masterpiece and a must see. It helped meget over my writers block and gave me back the emotion I needed tocontinue my story and refueled my imagination. It is better then anyanimated film I have ever seen in my life as well as many non-animatedfilms. I want to scream for a sequel but I think it would be better toleave this film be and let our imaginations make our own sequel. Theonly downside to this film is when it ended. Because I would giveanything for it to be real.