https://youtube/watch?v=oX69NSZ6Vik CHRISTOPHERS TOP 5 MOVIE COUNTDOWN! Number 3: How to Train Your Dragon ----------------------------------------------- Firstly, if youve not seen this yet, go buy/download/rent/borrow it immediately, and watch it. Come back when youve done so. Done? Excellent. Awesome, wasnt it? While Im not generally a fan of 3D-animation, HTTYD broke the mould. While Toy Story was a fun watch, HTTYD was really captivating in its presentation, so much moreso than anything I had seen in 3D before. (Though, I will admit the Incinerator Scene in Toy Story 3 is pretty intense) Firstly, the visuals are amazing. The Island of Burk has splendour rivalling real-world imagery, and I dont think they could have come anywhere close to its incredible scenery with 2D animation. Its a fantastic little island that sticks out from the ocean like a long-forgotten world. With smooth animation, the characters dont have any jitter to their movements that I find insufferable. They flow naturally in their expressions, and you can instantly understand the emotions theyre trying to convey without losing subtlety. Secondly, Toothless is awesome. He may be a cat-dragon, but his personality is fleshed out as much as any other character. Indeed, the entire point of him being dependant on Hiccup after his downing is a character arc that mirrors the Vikings own attitude towards the dragons themselves. Fear turns to curiosity, and then curiosity turns to friendship. Some of the most powerful scenes in the movie are the interactions between Viking and Dragon. [Drawing in the dirt, test drive, the ending, etc] Despite not being able to talk like in the books, Toothless animations are easily able to show the sassy cat-like attitude he has, and cats are awesome. Thirdly, the soundtrack. Every musical piece is perfect for the scenes theyre used in. Test Drives [watch the video] musical score enhances every aspect of the wonder, danger, fear, and exuberance of their first true flight together. Fourthly, the voice acting is perfect. From Hiccups decidedly non-Viking accent to Stoicks uber-manly voice [Jay Baruchel and Gerard Butler respectively], all the Vikings have voices that fit their personalities well. Its hammy when it needs to be hammy, and reigned in when quiet emotions are on display. Everyone delivers an A+ performance. Finally, the story itself is the best part of the whole film. Its a kids movie, first and foremost, but it doesnt pander to immaturity or dumb it down like a lot of kids movies do these days. The plot concerns overcoming ignorant prejudices, the importance of being yourself, the difficulties of parenthood, trusting in your friends, and standing by them when they need it. Perhaps the best part of it all is how Hiccup and Toothless come to not only enjoy one another, but depend on each other in the last scenes of the movie. Its a movie that you can watch again and again without any scenes that would bog down the movie between more interesting bits. From the moment youre introduced to the Island of Burk in the intro, to its modified description at the end, youre interested in the people, the dragons, and their conflict with one another. Go watch it again.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 01:40:21 +0000
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