OK for kids 8+
Thrilling 3-D adventure sends brains-over-brawn message.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this excellent adventure comedy about a clever young Viking includes some fantasy violence and potentially frightening images of dragons which could scare some young movie-goers. The dragons attack the Viking village, causing mass destruction, and in a couple of cases, they cripple characters. There's some mild flirting and two brief kisses between teens, and one bittersweet discussion about a deceased mother (and her armored breast plate, which has been fashioned into two helmets). Because the 3-D effects up the intensity level of the action sequences, easily scared older kids may jump out of their seat in the dragon-fighting scenes. On a positive note, with a strong female character and an honorable, brainy protagonist, kids will learn the value of cooperation, teamwork, and seeing beyond the surface of a situation.
- Families can talk about what makes Hiccup a misfit. How does having Stoic the Vast for a father make him feel about himself? How is the relationship between Hiccup and his dad portrayed? What changes in their relationship throughout the movie?
- Astrid looks like a "blond bombshell" type, but she's not the typical pretty blond girl. In what ways does her character rise above stereotypes of unattainable beauty? Is she a good role model for girls?
- What did you think of the use of 3-D in the movie, especially in the dragon scenes? How did it compare to other 3-D movies? Was anything too scary?
- Every hero on a journey has some help. Who helps Hiccup? Does he have any mentors or teachers? What about his friends?
The good stuff
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Educational value: Kids will learn a bit about Vikings and mythology.
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Messages: Hiccup's actions prove that cooperation and teamwork can be better than competition and animosity. By looking past the superficial, Hiccup discovered that the dragons weren't the blind, ruthless killers his people thought they were, and that training a dragon had far more benefits than killing a dragon. Another important message is that the love between a parent and child is unconditional and not based on whether the child is following in the parent's footsteps. There's also the message that girls and women (the Vikings are surprisingly pro-girl-power) can be tough and fearless too, and that brains can be just as powerful as brawn.
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Role models: Hiccup may not look as tough as other Vikings his age, but he's smart and courageous and caring. His eventual popularity and his sacrifice to save his fellow Vikings demonstrate that just because someone looks like a "wimp" doesn't mean much. Astrid is a positive role model for girls. Yes, she's beautiful, but it's not her looks that make her notable. She's tough, hard-working, fearless, and loyal.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Some of the dragons -- particularly in the opening and climactic sequences, along with the dragon training scenes -- are scary looking and cause a lot of destruction. The dragons have burned down homes, killed random characters and maimed a couple of central characters. The huge "queen dragon" is big and imposing and is just as likely to swallow a smaller dragon as she is to crush humans in her way.
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Sexy stuff: Mild flirting and two brief kisses between Astrid and Hiccup.
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Language: Exclamations like "Thor almighty!" and "By Odin it was rough" that substitute the word God for the names of Norse gods. Some mild taunts and insults like "coward" and "useless" and one joke about a "breast hat" (a Viking hat formed from a breast plate). One use of "hell."
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Consumerism: Expect lots of branded merchandise to accompany this movie.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
How to Train Your Dragon might be one of the best movies in 2010! by thesilentcat4
I was very surprised with how great this movie turned out to be! How to Train Your Dragon lands itself among the animation greats with a great and exciting story, great voice acting, and a great musical score to go along with it all! This is a great movie for kids and adults, especially when I went in thinking I was going to see a child's movie. Anyone would love this film, and quite frankly I think anyone who says this movie is no good is a fool or just doesn't like the type of film so he/she shouldn't have even been watching it. Look, I'm just saying if you want to see a film like this (Kid's animation movie type) then you will really like this! If not, then don't go and come back to say it wasn't any good. Also, the marketing for this movie was down right underplaying the movie. The previews don't do this movie justice AT ALL! Once you see this film, you will see how the previews had nothing on what the actual movie is. And its great.
GREAT MOVIE, GO SEE IT
5
Enjoyment for older kids and adults! by MadMax48
This movie provides a great story line, dialogue that isn't just for kids, incredible 3D quality, and an unexpected ending. No swearing, no sexual content, no drug or alcohol use. But...there are some pretty scary scenes that should caution parents before taking younger children. A few of the dragon scenes are close up and in your face with gnashing teeth, fire, and very fast flying sequences, so be warned. The main character goes from zero to hero, battling his own fears as he learns about dragons and their terrible secret. The mentor of this young hero is an older village blacksmith who has some incredibly funny moments and is also a wise counselor to the leader of the village. There is the typical yet funny relationship between a father who wishes his son was like the father and a son who wishes his father would see that he can't be like his father.
5
Loved this movie by hlyberry
I took my 3 yr old to see this movie and he loved it. He sat trhough the entire thing without talking and as soon as it was over he said he wanted to see it again. I highly recommend this movie. The story is cute and good for little ones and older ones as well. I can't wait until this comes out on DVD, so I can buy it and have it for my son to watch again.
5
How to Train Your Dragon by flshirl
This is a wonderful movie for children and adults of all ages. I saw this with my family of 5 adults and 3 children ages 3, 4 and 6 and we all loved this movie!
5
One of the best movies ever! by Ace cat
When I saw the previews, I was sure the movie would be good, but when I saw it fo real, I was shocked. It was way better than I expected. If you are interested in dragons, vikings, wild animal bonding, lots of fighting and violence, or just any good movie, you've gotta see this movie. The cinematography was great in 3D. So this is definetely a movie anyone can enjoy!
5
How To Train Your Dragon by toomuchsoda
Absolutely LOVED this movie and it's special effects! The dragons were awesome and very detailed. My son is nine and we took along some friends to see the show -- both boys and girls. They all loved it! We could identify several familiar voices and had fun guessing who they were, before seeing the credits at the end of the movie. The flying scenes were a favorite among everyone, along with the simple humor and one line comments throughout the entire show. Very funny in parts and a great adventure for all ages to enjoy!
5
How to Train Your Dragon by Skylarsmom
Absolutely a must see! We didn't see it in 3D and still loved the movie. A sweet bond between a child and a dragon...a wonderful movie! We would see it again and again and as soon as it is available on DVD - we'll be buying it!
5
One of the best cartoons in a long time! by manilowfan
This movie was so entertaining from beginning to end. I saw it in 3-D, so if you can definitely do that because the flying scenes are amazing. Somewhat similar to in Avatar. I love the characters in this. Espcially the gruff old Vikings in the movie. You learn to just love them. Good for any age. There are a couple scenes of the dragons growling loudly, so if you have very little children that might startle them for a moment. But, other than that it is a very sweet movie. I really hope you go and enjoy a movie worth paying for!!
5
The BEST Kids Movie of the Year!!!!!! by BubblePopper
When I first saw the preview of the movie I was like,"Wow, this movie must suck so bad. Looks like garbage to me, huh?", but after watching it I was really like,"The best movie that I've wasted my money on!" This movie's very touching and nice as the main character, Hiccup, helps a dragon who's unable to fly named Toothless even if he's forbidden to get near one and just kill it, helps the poor dragon. Now, a war is near and Hiccup and Toothless will battle against a newer threat. The movie is by far THE BEST KID'S MOVIE OF THE YEAR! Dreamworks did an excellent job with the voice talent and animation. Even the black cute dragon, Toothless, is so hard to ignore, cause he's SUPER CUTE. It's by far the best comeback from Dreamworks since Shrek 2. This movie is definately worth watching and worth buying if you want to get it on DVD
5
how to train your dragon by TJB63
My 9 yr old daughter and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it!!!!