Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) is now the leader of his village, Berk. Chief Hiccup. The Viking village exists peacefully. Humans and dragons co-existing. Things begin to change after Toothless discovers love. He falls for a female dragon dubbed Light Fury by Astrid (voiced by America Ferrera). Astrid is involved because she would like to move into the love zone from the friend zone with Hiccup.
Love and utopia is disrupted by a villainous character named Grimmel (voiced by F. Murray Abraham). Being anti-dragon he wants to halt all communication or contact between humans and dragons. This leads to the dragons hiding out in a newly discovered place called Hidden World. For safety, there they will stay until Grimmel and his forces are defeated. Both Hiccup and Toothless are forced into making tough decisions during the battle waged.
Sad that this is the finale. Third and final film in the How to Train Your Dragon animated film series. It has been a good ride. Not as bumpy as being on the back of a dragon, I would presume. That being said everything with the the dragons is fantastic. The way they look and the score. All of the animation looks beautiful. Those two elements, animation and music, come together in a spectacular way especially in regards to the love story between Toothless and Light Fury. Both animation and music, which most don’t think about or notice, accentuate and compliment the story in their own way.
Shows how much care was taken in the making of the movie by Canadian screenwriter/director Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon 2, Lilo & Stitch). DeBlois has been the driving force behind the entire film series and throughout it is obvious he has been highly invested in making a “different” kind of animated film. Oh, it is fun and silly at times like many animated films, but there is a heart and some social commentary to grasp onto. A film series for all ages. Here he has focused on the character development of Hiccup and Toothless – a human and a dragon. Both are dealt with with integrity and intelligence. This brings a maturity to the proceedings of a level that was not there prior. Plenty of personal growth is part of the wrapping up of the Hiccup and Toothless story. Many of the viewers of this film series will feel like they have grown up alongside the human and dragon.
Emotion runs high here. You will be moved throughout. During the last 10 minutes there will be plenty of tears shed by most who watch it. There is a slightly different tone to this film in that it is quite dark. Probably due to the personal and social themes which form the core of the story. Compassion, self-doubt, the true nature of sacrifice, and friendship all drive the story forward. Then you get a view towards subjects like disabilities being looked at as strengths and how true great leaders (pay attention, Mr. Trump!!) always look out for all under them with special attention paid to the weakest of the lot. Lessons which adults and kids alike need to see and think about.
A fitting end to an animated film trilogy which has entertained and moved people of all ages. Dreamworks should be applauded for bringing to the big screen a timeless series which is filled with emotion and entertainment.