Niece number 3 recommended the live-action movie of HTTYD. She gave it her personal thumbs-up, must-watch, sure to entertain, five-star rating. Hmm.

I was sold on her enthusiasm but not so on the movie itself, at least not immediately. Only because I wasn’t familiar with the animated film series or the characters. She had reminisced about how she and her brother, nephew number 4, have been fans of ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ or HTTYD since they were teenagers. Nice.

I like animation. My all-time favourite is Shrek. I’ve watched all the Shrek movies, many times over. I still laugh at all the funny bits, and I still enjoy the songs in Shrek 1. Lion King is another one of my favourites. I watched it in the cinema. I can’t rewatch it as it’s not on Netflix and I’m not subscribing to any other streaming service. And, in the theatre. Lion King is a grand stage musical that has been playing at the Lyceum Theatre since 1999. One that is worth watching again. I also like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Antz and Madagascar.

The choice on ‘movie day’ was HTTYD or F1 The Movie. My husband and I usually decide on movie day based on his work schedule and whether we are in the mood for a movie. As an aside, these days, we are less inclined to watch movies with heroes and heroines, I know they are mostly fiction with huge elements of exaggeration, who act tough and especially proclaim, how righteous they are and how they will fight and overcome evil and injustice in any form or shape. Pah!

Movies especially the action-packed ones are platformed on good overcoming bad. We like them mainly for the impressive cinematography of the stunts, both manual and computer-generated imagery (CGI), amplified on the big screens. That said, I’m increasing pondering the concept of good and bad, and might/power and selective perspectives that influence, suppress, and overwhelm. Cinema world. Real world. Hmm. No more superhero movies? Maybe.

Back to HTTYD. Niece number 3 got our thumbs-up. HTTYD was superb. It was entertaining and uplifting, yes, uplifting. I felt happier after the movie. And, it wasn’t just me. My husband felt the same. A feel-good movie that inspired reflection and conversation.  

Briefly, the story is about Hiccup, the rather smallish-built son of Stoick, the imposing boss of the make-belief Viking village of Berk. Hiccup wants to emulate his dad and become a respected dragon slayer. Why? Because for generations the villagers and the dragons have had on-going skirmishes where villagers lose limbs, and dragons steal sheep for food. And, there is no end in sight.

Until … Hiccup injures a little-known but feared dragon-type called Night Fury, that he’s unable to kill. Naming it Toothless, the two slowly size each other up, and a friendship develops. Hiccup learns dragon mannerisms/behaviours via his interaction with Toothless. This helps him better appreciate and engage the other dragon-types. He also realises that what the villagers have believed and have communicated about the dragons through the generations are …hmm… not all true. The dragons have their own compelling reason for engaging in attacks.

Eventually, after some misunderstandings and battles, Hiccup manages to sway his father and everyone in the village that they can cohabit peacefully with the dragons instead of fighting with them.

What I liked about HTTYD? Plenty.

The clever, witty dialogue. Suitably cast actors. The adorable names, shapes, and types of dragons, including the fire breathing ones. I know, adorable and dragons. But that’s precisely the point. The perceptions we have, inherent or learnt, correct or incorrect, colour and influence our attitudes and actions not just towards dragons. We also direct them at people, communities, countries, and at whatever beliefs and orientations that we don’t understand or don’t care to understand.

Anyways, I liked Meatlug, an almost cute dopey looking, bull dog faced all-direction flying, tiny-winged Gronckle-type dragon and Barf and Belch, a two-headed Zippleback-type dragon. Barf breathes large amounts of green gas and Belch spits our fire or sparks. 

I also liked that the fight scenes were not vivid but referenced. The love interest was just right. Not googly-eyed but evolving. The rivalry between the young contenders for the dragon slayer throne and next village boss was not over the top. The getting there, work-in-progress, father and son relationships. The practical and theoretical teaching and learning from a book and contests with captive dragons was a nice touch emphasising the relevance of proper preparation.

Bestest of all I liked Hiccup’s pivot. He tried to fit into the Viking mould of brawn, bravery, and slaying dragons. Couldn’t. Didn’t. Instead, he accepted and channelled his kindness and empathy towards healing Night Fury. And then, learning, teaching, showing, and convincing his people to live with instead of against the ‘perceived’ enemy. Nice.