Based on the book "How To Train Your Dragon" by Cressida Cowell, the 2025 live-action story is about Hiccup (the voice of Mason Thames), the son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerald Butler) who befriends ferocious dragons. With an ancient evil threatening their worlds, it's up to Hiccup , Toothless, and their courageous companion Astrid (Nico Parker) to make the realm realize they're stronger together, and only through friendship and bravery can they overcome the challenges of high-flying adventure. (Gary Reber)
Special features include commentary with Director/Writer Dean DeBlois; four featurettes: "Love And Legacy: Making How To Train Your Dragon" (HD 45:44), "Building Berk" (HD 08:06), "Dreaming Up The Dragons" (HD 08:30), "Fit For A Drafon" (HD 05:04), "Forbidden Friendship" (HD 06:38) and "Test Drive" (HD 03:32); two deleted scenes *HD 05:11); gag reel (HD 02:47) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.
The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using the Arri Alexa 35, Arri Alexa LF IMAX and Arri Alexa Mini LF camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. A 3D stereo conversion was performed by DNEG but no 3D Bu-ray was provided for review. The picture is wonderfully imaginative and exhibits visually engaging cinematography. The production design is very creative with excellent attention to realism. The visual effects are incredible, The vivid color palette exhibits rich and warm hues with a superb wide spectrum of nuanced shadings. Greens are rich with patches of green landscapes on the island, The forest greenery pops. Toothless body is black with green accents seen in closeups while other dragons are hued in green or fiery orange tones, And then there is the green night sky scene that lights up the night. The viking ships with their beautiful wooden construction and deeply hued sails are roughly beautiful. Wood tones appear perfectly realistic, The waters appear greenish as well. Flesh tones exhibit natural hues. HDR contrast is excellent with deep, natural black levels, revealing shadows during dark scenes of village interiors. White levels appear natural, such as fires, candle light and bright exteriors. Dimensionality is impressively layered. Resolution is superb throughout and reveals extraordinary textural detail. Facial features are finely detailed such skin pores, lines, hair and thick long beards, which are prominent among the vikings. Dragon scales also are very detailed, Costumes exhibit fine fabric detail as well as the metal armor and helmets, The village structures exhibit age worm materials, Objects appear perfectly realistic. This is a beautifully imaged picture that is visually exciting and engaging. (Gary Reber)
The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with a wonderful away of sound elements. Atmospherics enhance the environmental settings with natural realism, Sound effects are dynamic such as the various voicing of the dragons, the dragon inflicted fire destructions, or the sound of the mysterious giant killer dragon that eats other dragons. Crowd sounds of the villagers sound realistic. John Powell's orchestra/choral score is dynamic with a wide and deep soundstage that extends deep into the surrounds for an aggressive sense of envelopment. The music is very prominent. The training arena sounds are rich in nuanced and powerful SPSs. such as the voicing of the dragons challenged by young Vikings. Deep bass is powerful with .1 LFE extension to sub-25 Hz. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with generally good spatial integration with ADR produced dialogue as well..
The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an aggressive extension of the orchestra/choral score to the height layer as well as the occasional sound effect of dragon voicing, thunder, villager crowds and falling mountain rock, as well as light atmospherics, such as wind and birds and other nuance sounds. This is a very effective height layer treatment though even more could have been achieved.
This is a wonderfully complex holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is excitingly powerful and dynamic with lots of thrills. (Gary Reber)