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    No Mere Kids Film

    How to Train Your Dragon 2 wows with exceptional animation and story depth

    Alex Bentley
    Jun 13, 2014 | 10:54 am
    How to Train Your Dragon 2 wows with exceptional animation and story depth
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    The main reason that most sequels fail to satisfy is because it’s nearly impossible to replicate the originality of the first film. Audiences already know the main characters, so sequels tend to rely on the tried-and-true instead of trying something different.

    How to Train Your Dragon 2 doesn’t veer off on a completely new path, but its stellar animation, surprising maturity and sheer sense of fun make it one of the best sequels, animated or not, to come out in a while.

    Whether the dragons are whooshing across the sky for battle or pleasure, the ability to fly along with them, especially in 3D, is akin to magic.

    The hero of Dragon is once again Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), now ensconced as a respected leader of Berk after showing that dragons could be used for good instead of being viewed as enemies. His dad, Stoick (Gerard Butler), is still the chief of the Viking village, and Astrid (American Ferrara) has been upgraded from friendly rival to girlfriend.

    On one of their many explorations on their dragons, Hiccup and Astrid run across dragon thieves doing the dirty work of the evil Drago (Djimon Hounsou). This sets in motion an effort to protect the dragons of Berk, one that puts Hiccup on a path to meet his mother, Valka (Cate Blanchett), whom he hasn’t seen in nearly 20 years.

    Because riding dragons is now an established part of the Dragon world, writer/director Dean DeBlois takes every opportunity to set the action in the sky, something that never disappoints. Whether the dragons are whooshing through rock formations, battling other dragons or simply going for an easy afternoon flight, the ability to fly along with them, especially in 3D, is akin to magic — and it never gets old.

    That fun is backed up by the story, one that successfully advances certain characters while also introducing interesting new ones to the mix. As in the first film, Hiccup and Astrid are shown on an even level despite Hiccup’s status as the protagonist. Astrid can more than hold her own, something she’s shown doing on multiple occasions.

    But even more impressive is an extended look at the reunion between Stoick and Valka. Most animated films would gloss over a scene like that in order to get back to more action or slapstick. Instead, DeBlois treats them like a real married couple, making sure the emotion of their meeting again after so many years doesn’t get short shrift.

    The film also surprises with its attention to detail. There are many times when what’s happening behind characters, like dragons constantly playing, can be as entertaining as the actual focus of a scene. Another moment in which Astrid absentmindedly braids strands of Hiccup’s hair does more to exemplify the state of their relationship than any words could ever say.

    From the biggest battle to the most intimate moment, How to Train Your Dragon 2 strikes almost all the right chords. Just like all the best animated films, it’s not merely for kids.

    Hiccup has picked up a lot of new tricks in How to Train Your Dragon 2.

    How to Train Your Dragon 2
      
    Photo courtesy of Dreamworks Animation
    Hiccup has picked up a lot of new tricks in How to Train Your Dragon 2.
    unspecified
    news/entertainment

    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Chuy's big move from Knox Dallas leads this week's top 5 stories

    CultureMap Dallas
    May 10, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Chuy's happy hour quesos and drinks
    Photo courtesy of Chuy's
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    Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week kicks off with a Tex-Mex move and two fun openings. Plus, a final look at the 2025 Tastemaker Awards. Catch up on our five most popular stories below, then head to this event guide to plan your weekend.

    1. Chuy's from Knox Dallas now open at new Greenville Avenue space. An institution in Dallas' Knox Street neighborhood has been uprooted: Chuy's, the Tex-Mex restaurant that had been open at 4544 McKinney Ave. for nearly 32 years, has moved to 1520 Greenville Ave., on the lowest part of Lower Greenville, where it opened on April 28.

    2. Vending machine cafe with artsy collectible toys debuts in Lewisville. There’s a quirky new shop in Lewisville that combines toy store and cafe. Called Velcrokid, it's a place with coffee and snacks, plus designer collectible toys, now open in a former convenience store at 1298 Justin Rd.

    VelcrokidVelcrokid serves coffees and collectibles.Photo courtesy of Velcrokid

    3. Vintage downtown Dallas building to become lounge with stellar drinks. A vintage building in downtown Dallas is getting a new lease on life. Located at 1519 Main St., the space will become a spectacular new lounge and event space called 1519 Main, and it's from Hospitality Alliance, the company led by restaurant wunderkind Kevin Lillis, who helped create the original AT&T Discovery District downtown.

    4. Dallas professional soccer team chooses new name and team colors. A new era of professional soccer is coming to North Texas: The soccer entity previously known as USL Dallas has a new identity, called Atlético Dallas.

    5. Tastemaker Awards party salutes the best in Dallas restaurants in 2025. Foodies from all across Dallas showed up for the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on May 1, celebrating Dallas' top restaurants, bars, and chefs.

    openingstex-mextoyssoccertastemaker awardsgreenville-avenuemost popular stories
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