HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD
How To End Your Trilogy
released 10 june (download 27 May) 2019 | PG | Blu-ray (4K/standard)/dVd/ download/ vod Director dean deblois Cast Jay Baruchel, america Ferrera, F Murray abraham, Cate Blanchett
While plenty of movie sagas keep their characters in a state of arrested development, How To Train Your Dragon has never been afraid of evolution. This is a world where geeky outsider Hiccup can become a Viking chief, and events have consequences, whether it’s the loss of a limb or a loved one.
The new spanners in the works for this third instalment are ruthless dragon hunter Grimmel (played with sinister relish by F Murray Abraham) and a love interest for Hiccup’s scaly bestie, Toothless. And because of the saga’s past form, you’re never quite sure if this trilogy closer is going to have a happy ending…
The character beats are first rate but the story’s too lightweight. You may have to hold back the tears during the emotional last act, but there’s too much aerobatic dragon flirting before then.
Extras The 12 featurettes mostly clock in at four minutes or less, so they’re not overflowing with facts. The bits about designing the dragons and their world are more engaging than fluffier docs about the story and voicing the roles, while there are fun ideas like a dragony riff on Top Trumps. Luckily, anyone after a thorough education on the making of the movie will love the commentary with the director, a producer and head of character animation. You also get five deleted scenes, an alternative opening and two bonus DreamWorks shorts.
Toothless’s look was based on a mix of a black panther and a salamander. His flying style was inspired by a sparrow.