Lisa Johnson Mandell’s How to Train Your Dragon review says the live action version of the animated favorite is a feisty feast for a new generation.

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It was only a matter of time before Universal  joined Disney in reimagining their animated favorites as live action versions. The Mouse House, after all, seems to be raking it in with these remakes, and there’s certainly enough children’s entertainment money to go around.

I’m actually quite surprised to report, that with the recent release of Lilo and Stitch, and now How to Train Your Dragon, my skepticism about these projects has been diminished. The live action version of How to Train Your Dragon is merry, magical, and just plain fun. Fifteen years after the original animated film came out, it’s time for a new generation of Toothless fans to have their own version, with CGI flourishes that better suit their current tastes.

Dean DeBlois, the co-writer/co-director of the original HTTYD animated films, reprises his old material with firm faithfulness and only a few updated tweaks. That’s just fine. Instead of mimicking the story, he’s added dimension, with fleshed-out dragons full of fire and fantasy that are even more charming to watch.

One welcome diversion involves the characters’ diverse accents and heritages being explained by revealing that the descendants of the heartiest dragon fighters from all over the world have come together in this single village to rid the world of what they see as deadly foes. I wasn’t a fan of Vikings with Scottish, British, American and semi-Scandinavian accents that clashed in the animated versions.

2025 How to Train Your Dragon Review — crafty casting

The human characters, who include Mason Thames as Hiccup, Gerard Butler as his beefy dad, Nico Parker as Astrid, Nic Frost as Gobber, and the welcome Julian Dennison (loved him in Hunt for the Wilder People), are all perfectly adroit in their roles.

In this cast and crew’s capable hands, the tale of boy meets dragon, boy befriends dragon, boy and dragon get into trouble, then boy and dragon earn respect and acceptance, enchants all over again. As viewed on IMAX, the wild dragon rides are even more exciting, and the fiery battles are more thrilling.

It may not be the biggest and most successful PG movie of the year, but it’s certainly a welcome and well made addition to the fold.

Rated PG

2 Hours 5 Minutes

If this How to Train Your Dragon review makes you want to fly over the your local cineplex, get time and tickets on Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s How to Train Your Dragon review says the live action version of the animated favorite is a feisty feast for a new generation.