How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Not being a fan of the Shrek franchise, I generally approach Dreamworks animations with some caution, although with Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens showing marked improvement in the studio's output (they'll never be Pixar) I was optimistic about How to Train Your Dragon - especially as the directors were also responsible for the wonderful Lilo & Stitch. I managed to receive two copies of the blu-ray for Christmas, after Andrew told both my mum and his that I wanted it - I managed to find a buyer for the extra copy. 

The film turned out to be highly enjoyable - it looked gorgeous, particularly during the action scenes and in the dragons themselves, of which there were many different, imaginative varieties. Set on an island where the adult Vikings are Scottish (!) and the young are American (!), the film sees the ancient Danes (!) terrorised by a plethora of dragons. Of course our hero, Hiccup, doesn't want to kill dragons, he's the town joke, and of course he befriends a lame dragon, teaches everyone they're not killing Vikings for their own ends, and it all ends happily after a big fight scene. The plot writes itself, there are few surprises here. What raises the film above the glut of sub-standard CGI movies littering the multiplexes are the lack of instantly dated pop culture references and a concentration on characters with genuine humour and warmth.
 
Hiccup is a likable hero who I wanted to see succeed, and his dragon friend Toothless, a non-speaking, non-cute and cuddly sidekick part, is more developed and endearing than Shrek's annoying Donkey pal for example. I found the relationship between Hiccup and his mighty father funny and tender and utterly believable in the way they interacted nervously, as each doesn't really know the other. While I don't think the movie is unique or funny enough to be in my top ten favourite animations, it's a solidly entertaining, well crafted slice of movie-making.