Movie Review: How to Train Your Dragon

Movie Title: How to Train Your Dragon. Animation. Rated PG. How to Train Your Dragon was recommended to me by a teenager who liked it so much she saw it three times. She really thought it was a cute film. I really liked it, as well, and would recommend it for families with kids who are 9 or 10 and up. How to Train Your Dragon is a movie the whole family will enjoy. Do note: There are dragon fights which kids ages 8 and younger might find scary. And a few times it was hard to hear what the main characters were saying because the background music was too loud. If you want to hear what they said you might have to rewind those parts and struggle to figure what was said.
The movie is based on the book How to Train Your Dragon (Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III) by Cressida Cowell. Your kids might like the movie so much they will actually read the book.

About How to Train Your Dragon: The main charter in the film is a thin, gangly Viking teenager named Hiccup. His father, the chief of the village, is a top notch dragon slayer. Hiccup would like to be a great dragon slayer like his dad, but he lacks the skill. However, during one particular attack by dragons (the dragons are in the village to steal the fish supply) Hiccup actually manages to down a dragon. But when he goes in for the kill Hiccup finds he doesn’t have the heart to kill it. The dragon tries to fly away. But he can’t. Hiccup sees part of its tail is missing which makes it hard to fly. Hiccup soon fixes this and befriends the dragon which he names Toothless. Toothless lets Hiccup ride him like a horse. They go on fast, and I mean fast (which kids will find cool), flights through the sky. Meanwhile Hiccups father goes on sailing mission to find out where the dragons’ nests are. During this time he has Hiccup go to dragon school to learn how to kill dragons properly. Hiccup doesn’t want to be a dragon killer and instead becomes what you could call a dragon whisperer (He makes them behave). This amazes his teacher and schoolmates. When Hiccup’s father finally comes home from his sailing mission he learns Hiccup’s secret. And isn’t pleased. Hiccup stands up for the dragons saying they are only stealing their fish because…and I’ll leave it like that so you’ll rent the movie.
I thought the ending of the movie was excellent. Don’t read on if you don’t want the ending to be spoiled. I liked how Hiccup, who loses his foot in the last battle with the T-Rex like dragon, realizes he can still have a happy life. He knows that a loose of a limb will make things harder, but that life can still be satisfying. Life is what you make it. The ending of How to Train Your Dragon shows that not all ending are perfect but you can still be grateful for what you have. I also like the fact kids learn fighting isn’t all glamorous. That you can actually lose a limb.