How to Train Your Dragon Review

In a world where dragons and Vikings are sworn enemies, an unlikely friendship blossoms, challenging tradition and sparking a journey of discovery.

Introduction to a Timeless Tale

The movie How to Train Your Dragon, directed by Dean DeBlois, is a beautifully crafted story of friendship and understanding. Set in the Viking village of Berk, the film follows Hiccup, a young Viking who defies tradition by befriending a Night Fury dragon named Toothless.

Themes and Performances

The movie explores themes of acceptance, courage, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. The voice cast, including Jay Baruchel as Hiccup and America Ferrera as Astrid, brings depth and humor to the characters. The animation is stunning, with detailed landscapes and characters that leap off the screen.

Direction and Impact

Dean DeBlois's direction weaves together action, comedy, and heart, making the film an enjoyable watch for audiences of all ages. The movie's message about the power of friendship and understanding is timeless and universal. One specific reason this film is great for English learners is its use of clear, conversational dialogue that makes it easier for non-native speakers to follow and learn from.

6 hidden details

Original Book Inspiration

The movie is loosely based on the book *How to Train Your Dragon* by Cressida Cowell. The book series has gained a huge following worldwide and has been translated into over 30 languages. The film adaptation expands on the original story, adding new characters and plotlines.

Voice Cast Selection

Jay Baruchel was chosen for the role of Hiccup due to his unique voice, which brought a sense of vulnerability and humor to the character. America Ferrera was cast as Astrid for her ability to convey strength and sensitivity.

Animation Process

The animation process for the film involved creating detailed models of the characters and environments. The animators used a combination of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and traditional drawing techniques to bring the world of Berk to life.

Dragon Design

The design of the dragons in the film was inspired by real-world animals, such as bats and birds. The Night Fury dragon, Toothless, was designed to be a sleek and agile creature, with a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other dragons.

Musical Composition

The film's soundtrack was composed by John Powell, who incorporated a mix of orchestral and choral elements to create a unique and captivating score. The music plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.

Awards and Recognition

The movie received widespread critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It has also been nominated for numerous other awards, including Golden Globes and BAFTAs.

The Takeaway

The takeaway from How to Train Your Dragon is the importance of empathy and challenging one's own biases. Viewers are encouraged to think critically about their assumptions and to consider alternative perspectives. For English learners, watching the scene where Hiccup first meets Toothless with subtitles can be particularly beneficial, as it showcases how body language and tone of voice can convey meaning beyond words.

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.

Vocabulary (16)

rugged

early

rough and rocky

"The rugged landscape of Berk is home to the Vikings and dragons."

bitter

early

having a strong feeling of anger or hatred

"The Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations."

defy

middle

to refuse to obey or accept something

"Hiccup defies tradition by befriending a dragon."

centuries

middle

a period of 100 years

"The Vikings and dragons have been enemies for centuries."

foundations

late

the basis or starting point of something

"The friendship between Hiccup and Toothless challenges the foundations of Viking society."

reveals

middle

to show or make something known

"The bond between Hiccup and Toothless reveals the true nature of dragons."

challenging

late

difficult or demanding

"The movie's themes of acceptance and courage are challenging and thought-provoking."

conversational

late

like a conversation, informal and natural

"The dialogue in the movie is conversational and easy to follow."

empathy

late

the ability to understand and share feelings

"The movie encourages viewers to have empathy for the characters and their situations."

biases

late

prejudices or preconceived opinions

"The movie challenges the viewer's biases and encourages them to think critically."

alternative

late

different or other

"The movie presents alternative perspectives on the relationship between Vikings and dragons."

tone

early

a feeling or attitude expressed in speech or writing

"The tone of the movie is adventurous and humorous."

vulnerability

middle

the state of being weak or open to attack

"Hiccup's vulnerability makes him a more relatable and endearing character."

sensitivity

middle

the ability to feel and understand emotions

"Astrid's sensitivity and compassion make her a strong and admirable character."

orchestral

late

relating to an orchestra or a large group of musicians

"The movie's soundtrack features orchestral elements that enhance the emotional impact of key scenes."

choral

late

relating to a choir or a group of singers

"The movie's soundtrack also features choral elements that add to the overall atmosphere."

Idioms & Expressions

to leap off the screen

to be very impressive or engaging

used to describe the animation and action scenes

to think outside the box

to be creative and consider new ideas

used to describe Hiccup's innovative approach to training dragons

to break the mold

to do something new and different

used to describe Hiccup's unconventional friendship with Toothless

to have a blast

to have a very enjoyable time

used to describe the fun and exciting moments in the movie

to be on the same page

to have a shared understanding or agreement

used to describe the developing friendship between Hiccup and Astrid

Cultural References

Viking culture

The Vikings were a group of Norse seafarers and warriors who lived in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages. They were known for their bravery, strength, and skill in battle.

Norse mythology

Norse mythology is the collection of myths and legends from the Norse people. It features a range of gods, goddesses, and supernatural creatures, including dragons.

Scandinavian landscape

The Scandinavian landscape is characterized by rugged coastlines, fjords, and mountains. It is often depicted in movies and literature as a dramatic and beautiful setting.

Medieval society

Medieval society was characterized by a feudal system, with kings, lords, and vassals. It was a time of great social and economic change, with the rise of trade and the growth of cities.

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

around 00:42:00

Hiccup: 'I'm not like the other Vikings.'
Toothless: *roars*
Hiccup: 'You're not like the other dragons.'
Toothless: *nods*
Hiccup: 'We're not so different, are we?'

This scene is a powerful moment in the movie, as it shows the developing friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. The dialogue is simple and easy to follow, making it a great scene for English learners to practice their listening and speaking skills. The vocabulary used is also relevant to the themes of the movie, such as 'different' and 'not like the others'. Learners can practice shadowing the dialogue, repeating the lines spoken by the characters to improve their pronunciation and intonation.

How to Train Your Dragon

Introduction to a Timeless Tale

Themes and Performances

Direction and Impact

6 hidden details

Original Book Inspiration

Voice Cast Selection

Animation Process

Dragon Design

Musical Composition

Awards and Recognition

The Takeaway

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary (16)

Idioms & Expressions

Cultural References

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

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