KSL Movie Show review: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is a remake that doesn’t disappoint

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

While Hollywood is in the midst of “remake-a-palooza,” the animated stories turned to live-action features seem to have been the toughest to get right. Fortunately, that is not a problem for this new “How to Train Your Dragon,” which not only pays proper respect to the source material, but seems to effortlessly accentuate all the best parts of it.

It doesn’t hurt that the original film’s co-director, Dean DeBlois, is back to helm this revered tale by making only slight adjustments that add to the visceral feel, power and emotion of what could easily be described as a shot-for-shot experience. It’s a neat trick that will be studied by other film remakers, who will be eager to have the same success.

And let me state unequivocally, this will do very well at the box office.

Related: KSL Movie Show review: How does ‘Lilo & Stitch’ measure up to the original?

Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since we were first introduced to Hiccup (now played by Mason Thames), who wants desperately to please his father Stoick (Gerard Butler) but lacks the physical prowess to become a great Viking dragon slayer like his disappointed dad.

However, what he lacks in strength, he more than makes up for it with intelligence, ingenuity and empathy.

In his efforts to come up with a unique way to capture the famed creature that shall not be caught, namely “The Night Fury,” Hiccup creates a net cannon that may have just done the job, but nobody believes him. Even Gobber (Nick Frost), who is really Hiccup’s closest grownup confidante, thinks the kid is up in the night after claiming to bag the mysterious menace.

On a lark, Hiccup searches through the forest and lo and behold, discovers a sheltered alcove that has imprisoned the feared, but injured beast. Here’s where parents might take heed that a photo-realistic Night Fury will be a bit more terrifying to your younglings than the animated version, which is partly why this film will do so well. It gets your attention and holds it.

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Again, I’ve got to give credit to the director for knowing what buttons to push to enhance this already familiar experience and take it to another level.

Take Gerard Butler, for example, having been the voice of Stoick in the earlier works, he adds an extra human dimension in this live-action adaptation that is more nuanced and profound. The same could be said for Astrid (Nico Parker) who has effortless chemistry with Hiccup.

All the way down the line, you can’t picture more perfect casting than what you’re about to witness.

I take notes during screenings, so I can remember bits and pieces that caught my eyes and ears. I looked down at a near-empty page as the lights came up at the end of the film. That’s usually an indication that I was so enthralled that I forgot to write stuff down. And that is certainly the case for this new “How to Train Your Dragon.”

I know we’re all a bit gun-shy when it comes to remakes, but this one will not disappoint.

“How to Train Your Dragon” (A) Rated PG for sequences of intense action, and peril. Starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Nick Frost and Julian Dennison. Co-written and directed by Dean DeBlois (the animated “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy and co-directed the animated “Lilo & Stitch”) – filmed in the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Northern Ireland. 125 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.