“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)”
Review of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
General Information
- Director: Dean DeBlois
- Main Cast:
- Jay Baruchel (Hiccup)
- America Ferrera (Astrid)
- Cate Blanchett (Valka)
- Gerard Butler (Stoick)
- Craig Ferguson (Gobber)
- Kit Harington (Eret)
- F. Murray Abraham (Grimmel)
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Plot
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is the third and final installment in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The story picks up after How to Train Your Dragon 2, with Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) now the leader of Berk and working to protect and guide the island’s growing population of dragons. As Berk becomes overwhelmed with dragons, Hiccup dreams of finding the mythical “Hidden World”—a secret sanctuary where dragons can live in peace, away from human conflict.
However, their peaceful life is threatened by the arrival of a sinister dragon hunter named Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), who has an obsession with capturing Toothless, Hiccup’s loyal dragon companion. As Grimmel’s forces close in on Berk, Hiccup, along with his friends and dragons, must race to find the Hidden World before it’s too late. The journey leads Hiccup to face difficult decisions about leadership, love, and the future of his bond with Toothless, especially as the discovery of the Hidden World marks the beginning of a new chapter for both humans and dragons.
The film explores themes of letting go, accepting change, and finding one’s place in the world.
Highlights
- Stunning Animation and Visuals
- As with its predecessors, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World features breathtaking animation. The design of the dragons is imaginative and continues to impress, with each dragon having its own unique traits and personalities. The mythical Hidden World is a visual marvel, filled with luminous caves, vibrant colors, and stunning landscapes that create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. The flying sequences, particularly the ones with Toothless and Hiccup, are beautifully rendered, making the action scenes exhilarating and full of awe.
- Emotional Story Arc
- One of the most powerful elements of The Hidden World is its emotional resonance. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is at the heart of the film, with their bond serving as a central theme. As Hiccup faces the reality that Toothless may find a mate and his own journey of growth leads him towards leadership, the film touches on themes of independence, change, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The film expertly captures the emotion of letting go, both in terms of Hiccup’s relationship with Toothless and in the broader context of accepting the inevitable changes that life brings.
- Strong Character Development
- Hiccup’s growth from the awkward, rebellious young boy into a wise and capable leader is fully realized in The Hidden World. His evolution is one of the most rewarding aspects of the film, as it shows him grappling with his responsibilities as both a leader and a friend. His relationship with Astrid (America Ferrera) continues to develop, with their partnership feeling grounded in mutual respect and love. The supporting cast, including the quirky dragon riders, offer plenty of lighthearted moments, but it’s Hiccup’s personal journey and the bond he shares with Toothless that drive the narrative forward.
- Hiccup’s growth from the awkward, rebellious young boy into a wise and capable leader is fully realized in The Hidden World. His evolution is one of the most rewarding aspects of the film, as it shows him grappling with his responsibilities as both a leader and a friend. His relationship with Astrid (America Ferrera) continues to develop, with their partnership feeling grounded in mutual respect and love. The supporting cast, including the quirky dragon riders, offer plenty of lighthearted moments, but it’s Hiccup’s personal journey and the bond he shares with Toothless that drive the narrative forward.
- New Characters and Villains
- The introduction of Grimmel, voiced by F. Murray Abraham, provides a new threat to Hiccup and his dragons. Grimmel is a formidable and calculated antagonist, with a deep-seated hatred for dragons, especially Night Furies like Toothless. His cold, methodical nature adds a layer of tension to the film. While not as memorable as previous villains, Grimmel is a fitting antagonist for the film’s final act, presenting a real challenge to the protagonists.
- Message of Change and Letting Go
- The central theme of The Hidden World revolves around the idea of change and the difficulty of letting go. Hiccup’s journey is one of self-actualization, and he learns that being a good leader means knowing when to let go and when to adapt. The film’s poignant exploration of these themes, especially in relation to Hiccup and Toothless, resonates on a deep emotional level. The message is one of growth, acceptance, and the bittersweet beauty of moving forward, which makes the film feel like a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
- The central theme of The Hidden World revolves around the idea of change and the difficulty of letting go. Hiccup’s journey is one of self-actualization, and he learns that being a good leader means knowing when to let go and when to adapt. The film’s poignant exploration of these themes, especially in relation to Hiccup and Toothless, resonates on a deep emotional level. The message is one of growth, acceptance, and the bittersweet beauty of moving forward, which makes the film feel like a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
Criticisms
- Predictable Plot Structure
- While the film’s emotional core is powerful, the plot itself is somewhat predictable. The narrative follows a familiar structure, with the heroes facing an external threat, embarking on a journey, and ultimately coming to a realization that helps them overcome the antagonist. While this doesn’t detract from the overall impact of the film, it may feel familiar to those who have followed the trilogy from the beginning. The stakes are high, but the progression of the plot is a bit conventional, especially for audiences accustomed to the formula of animated adventure films.
- Underuse of Some Side Characters
- While The Hidden World focuses heavily on Hiccup, Toothless, and their emotional arcs, some of the side characters, such as Snotlout, Fishlegs, and Ruffnut and Tuffnut, feel somewhat sidelined. Although they provide moments of humor and levity, their character arcs are less developed than in previous films, making their appearances feel more like background elements than integral parts of the story. Some fans of the supporting characters may have expected more screen time and involvement in the central plot.
- Villain Lacks Depth
- While Grimmel is an effective antagonist in terms of his role as a threat, his character lacks the complexity or depth of previous villains, such as Drago Bludvist from How to Train Your Dragon 2. Grimmel’s motivations are largely driven by a hatred of dragons, and his backstory is not deeply explored, which makes him feel like a more one-dimensional villain compared to others in the series.
- While Grimmel is an effective antagonist in terms of his role as a threat, his character lacks the complexity or depth of previous villains, such as Drago Bludvist from How to Train Your Dragon 2. Grimmel’s motivations are largely driven by a hatred of dragons, and his backstory is not deeply explored, which makes him feel like a more one-dimensional villain compared to others in the series.
Verdict
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a beautifully animated, emotionally resonant conclusion to the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. The film excels in its depiction of growth, both for the characters and the franchise as a whole, with Hiccup and Toothless’ journey serving as the emotional anchor. The stunning visuals, heartwarming themes of letting go, and strong performances make it a fitting end to an iconic animated series.
While the plot may feel predictable at times, and some side characters are underused, the film’s emotional impact and sense of closure make it a satisfying conclusion for fans of the franchise. It’s a fitting tribute to the characters we’ve come to love, leaving audiences with a sense of hope and a deeper understanding of the bonds we form and the changes we face in life.
Rating: 8.5/10
