How to Train Your Dragon

Dragons are usually depicted as fire-breathing beasts, sharp in tooth and claw and fierce in temper. In some societies they symbolize evil; everywhere they pose a reminder of the primeval, reptilian ooze from which our world emerged. In most myths they don’t coexist easily with humanity, if they coexist at all. But what if dragons are just misunderstood?

In the DreamWorks animated feature How to Train YourDragon, the scaly flying beasts can get along with us, if only we extend the hand of friendship. Based on the popular children’s story by Cressida Cowell, the scenario gives computer animators plenty of room for fiery pyrotechnics and flights of fancy. The moral of the story, that kindness can bridge the deepest chasms of hatred and mistrust, has been preserved, wrapped in a humorous, family-friendly guise.

The story’s hero, a Viking teenager called Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel), is misunderstood and decidedly different from the other kids who dwell on the rocky island of Berk. The locals claw a living from the stormy sea in their longboats, battling all the while against the assaults of dragons that swoop down on their village by night. Boys are expected to become warriors, dragon slayers, but Hiccup is slight of build and dreamy-eyed—especially when he gazes upon the cute blonde, Astrid (America Ferrera), a girl determined to be as tough as any of the boys.

The kids poke fun at Hiccup and the adults roll their eyes. He’s a grave disappointment to his horn-helmeted dad, the barrel-chested Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), who wishes he had sired a red-blooded Viking instead of a wimp. One day Hiccup comes upon a wounded dragon in the woods. The boy wants to prove his manhood by slaying the helpless beast, but can’t bring himself to kill the sad-eyed creature. After much initial mistrust, the rather feline dragon becomes his best friend.

It’s curious that the adult Vikings all speak in deep Scottish accents while their children talk like smart-alecky American teens. Likewise, the plot development has a couple of patchy spots. But in the context of the movie’s intentions, these are small points. Hiccup is a believable adolescent (in 2010 America, if not medieval Scandinavia) and the animated story is vivid and always in motion, offering candy for the eyes of children, a message they can take to heart and an entertaining diversion that won’t insult the intelligence of adults. n