How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

The critic calls it a rare live-action remake that makes sense and feels purposeful rather than pointless. He singles out the use of real locations and shooting on location for giving the story real shape, weight, and awe.

The film is a safe near carbon-copy of the original that loses some whimsical charm but offers visual richness through stunning landscapes and impressive CGI. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless remains the undeniable heart, though the remake is fairly unremarkable overall.

The live-action remake is one of the most loyal in Hollywood history and reproduces the witty, heartwarming story with fervid loyalty. The action sequences thrill, the dragons look amazing and the flying scenes are breathtaking, though it lacks some of the original’s consistent charm.

If a live-action remake of a classic animation must be made, this is the way to do it: a rich, rewarding piece of world-building that stays true to the spirit of the 2010 film while adding kaiju-scale visual impact. It loyally follows the original storyline and character design, with excellent casting (especially Mason Thames as Hiccup) and superb CGI for Toothless that reveals new hyperreal details.

DeBlois delivers a faithful yet enhanced live-action version that strengthens the foundation for sequels, with strong casting and visuals that make the story more real.

The critic sees the remake as a faithful but mediocre live-action version that trades the original's animated magic for mediocrity and feels more fake. He praises the supporting cast's added depth and internality but complains it lacks wonder and coasts on goodwill.

The critic finds the live-action remake a near-identical copy of the animated original, lacking originality despite being visually gorgeous. She praises the performances and the emotional bond between Hiccup and Toothless but notes the actors don't surpass the animated versions.

The critic finds the remake faithful but unnecessary, longer and less dynamic than the original animated film, with solid effects but weaker performances overall.

The live-action remake repeats the plot without improvement, feeling cold and inessential compared to the animated original, though the message remains valid.

This scene-for-scene, often word-for-word restaging of the 2010 original is a mind-numbingly redundant dud that elongates the running time without adding fresh material. Gerard Butler and Nick Frost try their best, but the result is more likely to produce nodding recognition than delight in its target audience.

Returning director Dean DeBlois retains the energetic spirit of the original with fantastic CGI and a game cast that lean into the fantastical charm. The blending of CGI and live action is genuinely seamless, resulting in thrilling, immersive action sequences.

The critic finds the faithful live-action remake works well, with characters and adventures showing vitality beyond most remakes and a rousing spectacle in splendid locations. It is less a standalone achievement than a special edition of an old favourite, though some action sequences are messily edited and dragon flights occasionally look phoney.

The critic finds it a likable but unnecessary remake that retains charm but plays it safe. She praises the performances, especially the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, while noting the live-action version lacks visual distinction and feels geared more toward children.

The live-action remake is a slavish, shot-for-shot copy of the 2010 animated original that neuters its spontaneity and proves the superiority of animation. It is loud and diverting for very young children but utterly dead at its hollow, cash-grabbing core.

The critic calls it a faithful, well-executed live-action remake that succeeds where others fail by returning the original director and sticking closely to the source. She singles out the strong casting (especially Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler reprising Stoick) and impressive visual effects for praise.

The critic finds comfort in the familiar story retold with real actors, appreciating subtle changes and emotional reinterpretations that keep it feeling fresh rather than formulaic. They praise the flying scenes, the bond between Hiccup and Toothless, and the music for adding joy and heart.

The critic finds the live-action remake faithful to the original but largely unnecessary, praising the emotional depth from live-action performances and the score/flying sequences while criticizing the photorealistic Toothless and lack of innovation.

The review sees the live-action remake as largely a shot-for-shot copy that fails to recapture the original's magic, with less atmospheric visuals and squandered opportunities for deeper emotional exploration in the characters. It singles out the thrilling flying scenes as a positive but overall deems it a missed chance, recommending the animated version instead.

The critic finds the remake a straightforward, low-risk re-rendering of the 2010 original with few meaningful changes, resulting in a functional but uninspired family adventure. He singles out the flat, murky visuals and lack of directorial vision for criticism, noting it feels more like a theme-park recreation than a fresh take.