DVD Review: "How to Train Your Dragon" double DVD pack

With its thrilling action sequences, touching tale and gentle wit, "How to Train Your Dragon" keeps soaring even with repeated viewings.

Parents of adventurous children should expect to see it often; my preschool son has rarely allowed the DVD to leave the player since I brought it home. But the layered story, engaging characters and rich animation — especially the exhilarating flying scenes — keep the fire-breathing film stoked.

Based on Cressida Cowell's book series, the movie centers on a scrawny, clever and disaster-prone Viking teen named Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel). Much to the chagrin of his father, chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), Hiccup isn't a brawny warrior equipped to battle the dragons that regularly raid their island.

Hiccup desperately wants to prove his mettle by killing a dragon, but he is relegated to apprenticing with outspoken blacksmith Gobber (Craig Ferguson). During a nighttime attack, Hiccup sneaks away and uses one of his often-mocked inventions to bring down a Night Fury, the most mysterious of the fascinatingly divergent dragon breeds. But no one sees or believes his feat.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next