How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

 

This week Dreamworks joins the trend of making live-action versions of beloved animated films with How to Train Your Dragon (2025) based on their 2010 film of the same name. I headed to my local theater of choice, joined by my friend (hi Jen) to check it out. I absolutely love the animated version of this film and had been looking forward to seeing how this one matches up.

For those of you who “poo, poo” the making of live-action films based on their animated predecessors, I think you’ll be happy with this one. Although there’s almost an extra 30 minutes of added content bringing the total running time to 2-hours 5-minutes, the faithful recreation of the original is abundant. Yes, there are tweaks here and there with expanded scenes, plot points, and world building yet the original story is still front and center.

Gorgeous cinematography and CGI work bring the isle of Berk and beyond to life. The dragons are incredible. I feel in love with Toothless all over again. It’s a stunning, believable feast for the eyes. The costumes and sets are rich with textures and details. The musical score soars.

The first twenty to thirty minutes of the film didn’t hold up for me as well as I hoped. The story is flat and a bit dry. I’m still not sure what it was about it for me, pacing? But it just lays there, and I was afraid the movie was going to be a total bust. I wasn't engaged and felt a bit bored. Once I got past the hump though, Toothless, I was all in for the duration.

Gerard Butler returning to reprise the role of Stoick brings everything full circle. However, it also showcases something that may very well be a “me” issue with the film overall. His performance felt more subdued and smaller. I felt that way about most of the actors/characters. Mason Thames’ Hiccup is more world weary and depressed than idealistic, self-deprecating, and lively. Nick Frost’s Gobbler is generic and forgettable. Nico Parker’s Astrid is fine but not fiery. The supporting cast of characters are so sidelined they aren’t as vibrant, defined, or impactful.

Everyone seemed restrained, and to varying degrees joyless. Again, may just be a me thing.

This version also dials back the overall edginess/darkness, snarcasm, and humor. It’s a kinder, safer Viking tale. I really wish they’d gone bigger and more in depth across the board. New takes are introduced but not explored so, why bother?

I’m still mulling this one over, but where I stand currently is How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a safe retelling of a beloved animated film. While going live-action expands the overall world various aspects simultaneously makes it feel much smaller.

It’s still fun, still enjoyable, still worth seeing on the big screen to get out of the summer heat for a couple of hours, but for me falls a bit short. I liked it but wanted to absolutely love it.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) gets a 7 from me.

#howtotrainyourdragon

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

Another week. Another highly anticipated (at least by me) new film release in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, the first film spinoff from the popular John Wick series. Len Wiseman of Underworld fame takes the helm, directing this 2-hour four-minute action-packed world building enterprise. The haters are already hating (no surprise) about having a female lead and John Wick not being the main character. So, if that sounds like you, don’t bother with this film or my review.

Anywho, I went in pumped to see where this franchise is headed to next, and I left with a huge smile on my face.

Ballerina has a simple, straightforward, solid script that does a terrific job of fusing the familiar world and characters of John Wick with the new world building story of Ana de Armas’ Eve in an organic and plausible way. The traditions, rules, and methods of the Ruska Roma are the backdrop for an entertaining tale of revenge every bit as satisfying as John Wick’s.  

Great casting old and new. de Amas’ is a sight to behold and there’s no doubt about the badassery she brings to the role. Yes, she’s physically smaller and weaker (she gets thrown around like a rag doll and gets the snot beat out of her) but the whole “fight like a girl” directive works and sells each and every smackdown convincingly and firmly puts her in the John Wick world. Watching her character’s skills development throughout the film is on point and impressive.  Weaponizing unpredictability in a brutal ballet, Eve's scrappy and fierce.

Yes, as shown in the trailers, Keanu Reeves does reprise his role as John Wick in Ballerina. Yes, it’s a fun as ever to see him.  A pure delight in fact. However, the best part of having Reeves return is it doesn’t define the film, only enhances it. I was completely engaged in the characters and story, not just waiting to see when he would pop up. Not an easy thing to accomplish in a franchise he helped establish, but Ballerina would actually work without Reeves at all. Yet having him present ties in nicely and is the perfect bonus. Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick also ground the film in the familiar adding texture, depth, and connectivity. 

As with the other films in the franchise, there’s beautiful cinematography, great soundtrack, plenty of stunts and action, sly humor, and extreme violence resulting in a high body count. So, everything you’ve come to expect and more. New characters. New settings. New baddies. And Flamethrowers people! Flamethrowers! 

Squee!

Ballerina had me bouncing in my seat with excitement, squealing with delight, clapping excitedly, and “damning” out loud from start to finish. It’s an exciting thrill ride and a fresh, yet familiar take that breathes new life into the world of John Wick. Easily one of the best and successful spinoffs out there.  Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is a film best seen on the big screen of your local movie theater. 

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina gets a 10 from me.

#ballerina