"How To Train Your Dragon 2" Review

Images of "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" are popping in my head, and I feel it only appropriate to include the "How To Train Your Dragon" series in the same conversation. These characters are archetypes, these stories have been done to death. However, in the same way George Lucas add his ideas to the blend Kurosawa and Flash Gordon serials, Dean DeBois takes cues from Pixar and Lucas, infusing it with bold creativity and technological wizardry.

"How To Train Your Dragon 2" follows Hiccup (Jay Beruchel) in the Viking land of Berk, where the inhabitants now live harmoniously with dragons as companions. Hiccup is accompanied by his dragon, Toothless, excited to soar among the clouds, exploring new territories and islands. However, Hiccup is being pressured from his father, Stoick (Gerard Butler), the chief, to take on more responsibilities and become his successor. Hiccup is hesitant to accept the position, unsure of his place in the world, but there's no time to think, as Berk is threatened by a hunter (Djimon Hounsou) who's building a dragon army for invasion.

The cast does well: Beruchel gives Hiccup his awkward, kind charm, Butler balances being stern, goofy, heartbroken with ease. New characters such as the Dragon Rider (Cate Blanchett) and Eret (Kat Harrington), a young dragon trapper are welcome additions. The Dragon Rider finds a protege in Hiccup, teaching him all there is to know about dragons with the excitement of a puppy. Eret's the bad boy with a heart of gold. Imagine an animated Winter Soldier, if you will. The ladies of Deviantart will more than likely have their fan art already up.

Speaking of art, this animation is phenomenal. The amount of detail placed into every aspect of motion and design blows my mind. For someone who grew up during the polygonal era of the Nintendo 64 and early years of Pixar, to see the littlest hairs on the back of Hiccup's neck move in the wind or the diversity of each species, it's breathtaking. The movie allows each setting to exude atmosphere, looking like breathing paintings. (The credits show off some gorgeous hand-drawn concept art.) The effort is apparent and impressive: from the jam-packed battles to the simplest sunset, each frame of film dazzles.

When not pulsing with adventure, characters are being developed, heartstrings are being tugged, or laughs are being shared (usually because of Kirsten Wiig's snarky Ruffnut). However, similarly to Lucas's original "Star Wars" trilogy, the story moves smoothly between different focuses. The movie is stuffed, full to the brim, but executed in such a manner that it never feels exhausting, just right.

And while I think the first "How To Train Your Dragon" is a more impressive movie, I find myself liking the sequel a bit better. This advances the story, develops new aspects of the characters, challenging them in different ways, bringing in new ideas that not only make sense in the universe, but fit like a glove. This has the makings of a strong, entertaining, intelligent series. It's not really a smash hit (as I write this, "22 Jump Street" has beaten it in box office draw), but similarly to "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", "How To Train Your Dragon 2" is a solid film: capturing the Saturday morning matinee feel while backing it up with wisdom and creativity. It's definitely worth your time. Thank you for reading; I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.

                                                                       "How To Train Your Dragon 2" trailer: