A "How To Train Your Dragon 2" Review
I know this isn't a story, nor a drabble, but I went to an advanced screening of HTTYD2 this morning and only now do I have time to get it all out. So, without further ado, and only mild spoilers if you've kept up with the trailers, here is my review:
HOLY. CRAP.
This movie was everything it should have been and more. It did feel a little rushed - but hey, that might've just been because I was freaking out inside and trying to absorb as much as possible in the 105 minute runtime. Or, if the pacing was a little rushed, I can easily look past that. There was a lot in this movie in terms of story, but overall it was original (more original than the first, story-wise) and told well.
So, onto relationships... Hiccup/Astrid was well dealt with - it was in the background mostly, but they had some good scenes and honestly, there wasn't a lot of space to have it be a major focus when it didn't need to be. Shippers will be pleased all the same.
Stoick/Valka was rather bittersweet, because they were apart for so long before finally being together again. They were perfect, though. The love they have for each other - perfectly conveyed.
[[POSSIBLE SPOILERS: Hiccup and Valka's relationship was really sweet too.]]
Things got a little blurry, of course, at some parts. I thought the action scenes were fantastic - just the angles and everything was amazing - completely stunning in 3-D, which I highly recommend (provided you can see through tears well, although my eyes were far drier than I had expected).
[[POSSIBLE SPOILERS: One really intense thing happened and I cried for at least 10 - 15 minutes. I had gone into the movie already sort of prepared, but seeing it happen was heartbreaking.]]
The way Hiccup and Toothless' relationship was handled was absolutely PERFECT. It was so nice, for a decent chunk of the movie, to see them simply being friends. The little ways they help, support, tease and worry about each other. (There was this one, REALLY brief moment that made me completely MELT. ^-^)
[[POSSIBLE SPOILERS: But Dean and the 'Empire Article' did talk about testing their relationship and boy do they ever...]]
Drago, Valka and Eret were smart, great contributions to the cast of characters. And everyone was in character the whole time - so yay!
All in all, this movie was fantastic. Have a tissue box, your celebratory yaknog and dragon ready - it's almost time to party, Hairy Hooligans!