When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury, he must seek “The Hidden World”, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” is the third and (probably) final installment of the series. That would seem a fitting end, as our intrepid protagonist, Hiccup, voiced by Jay Baruchel, appears to have traveled as far as he is likely to go. Written and directed by Dean DeBlois, the tale remains true-enough to its origins, serving as a fitting conclusion to an extended coming-of-age trilogy.
Although the opening scene finds Hiccup leading his hardy band to rescue captured dragons and usher them to safety on the island sanctuary of Berk, things move somewhat ploddingly at first. Once back at Berk, we encounter all form and fashion of Norse characters and dragon-kind puttering around in a seemingly utopian existence. The several attempts at slapstick and schlocky humor may appeal to youngsters, but based on this manifestation, paradise looks as overrated as Gilligan’s uncharted isle.
Soon enough, however, F. Murray Abraham enters the picture as the deliciously menacing antagonist, Grimmel, a famous dragon slayer for the ages out to finish the job for all time. Though he employs drug-addled dragons for his own purposes, his overriding aim lies in ridding the world of all the rest of the breed.
The twist emerges when Toothless, Hiccup’s loyal sidekick – thought to be the last Night Fury – learns that a female Fury still exists in the wild. As a new variant of dragon – inspired by leopards, axolotls (Mexican walking fish – a type of salamander) and terns – the Light Fury functions as the untamed counterpart to a domesticated Toothless.
Steeped in near-encyclopedic lore, descriptions of the Night Fury and the Light Fury – medium-sized Strike Class dragons – could take up entire volumes on their own (and apparently do with even a cursory internet search). Less the stuff of nightmares, a Fury is instead described as playful, inquisitive, and intelligent. They do not breathe fire as dragons typically do, but rather launch acetylene/oxygen plasma blasts, as befitting their leadership position over the species.
In the course of events, the transformation of the relationship between the Light and Night Fury parallels that of Hiccup and Astrid. America Ferrera, as the voice of Astrid, handily provides the most compelling presence in the film. Without her vitality, charm, and decisiveness, Hiccup would simply meander and mope aimlessly throughout the proceedings.
Cate Blanchett as Valka, Hiccup’s long lost dragon-master mother lends an air of wisdom to the situation, while Gerard Butler returns in the form of Hiccup’s memory of his deceased father, Stoick. Once again, famous supporting voices abound. Kristen Wiig shines as the truly gleeful and utterly annoying Ruffnut. Similarly, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kit Harington, and Justin Rupple reprise their roles for this second sequel.
The highlight of the film unquestionably consists of the resplendent visual effects, oozing with authentic detail. The eerie hybrid of animation, computer-generated images, and live action never fail – in and of themselves – to captivate viewers. Nonetheless, as George Lucas famously intoned, a special effect without a story is a very boring thing indeed. Although mostly deferring to the second half of the film, DeBlois, at last, takes the audience into the Hidden World reminiscent of scenes from “Avatar.” Other highpoints include well-staged, generally inventive battle sequences between Grimmel and Hiccup that offer enough action to maintain interest without overstaying their welcome.
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” appropriately concludes a children’s fairy tale that will also please many adults. Despite a slow start, the narrative eventually picks up the pace to deliver a satisfying third act.
In theaters Friday, February 22nd
