How to Train Your Dragon originally was released in 2010. I was a senior in High School and not exactly ready to go invest in a new animated franchise as an 18 year-old. I’m willing to admit that I was wrong for that.
So while I knew vaguely of Toothless and Hiccup, the world was one that I was removed from. So when I saw How to Train Your Dragon earlier this year, I found myself sobbing at the journey that Hiccup (Mason Thames) must go on not only to earn the trust and respect of his fellow vikings but the one he goes on to build a bond with Toothless.
Prior to walking into the movie screening, I remember a man trying to fight me on dragons. I said “Well, I can’t wait to meet Toothless because he’s a cat.” The man said Toothless was a dog. Famously, not true. And also sorry to the dog lovers of the world (I am one too) but not every beloved fictional creature is a dog. Dragons are very much cats, just like Godzilla. I say this because it is part of why I love Toothless and Hiccup’s relationship. It reminds me a lot of my own relationship with my cat.
Cats are not creatures who just give you their affection willingly. You have to earn it. Much like a dragon and especially like Toothless. So getting to see Hiccup learn that a dragon can be a companion, be a creature that you connect with, all if you learn to share a bond with them was emotional for me to see. And sure, I know the animated film does the same thing but this was my first foray into the story.
Sometimes, adaptations can just be simple
Part of the criticism I’ve seen about the live-action How to Train Your Dragon is that it is too similar to the original. On the flip of that, everyone had a lot to say about changes made to the live-action Lilo & Stitch and it makes me wonder: What do you guys want in these adaptations? Not too many changes but not too little?
Maybe it is because I went into this without any previous connection to the series but I do think that this was an emotional addition to the live-action world. Sometimes, I don’t think an animated to live-action adaptation needs to completely change the story. And the film did add things, it is 20 minutes longer than the original film.
But whatever your own feelings on How to Train Your Dragon are, I ended up really loving getting to meet Hiccup and Toothless in this way and now I want to see the rest of the team back in the sequel when it comes out. My beloved Toothless most of all though, I love him.
(featured image: Universal Pictures)
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