How to Train Your Dragon: 2

“Life here is amazing. Dragons used to be a bit of a problem, but now they've all moved in,” goes the voice-over in the beginning of How to Train Your Dragon: 2. It is a 102-minute sequel to HTTYD 1 (2010), which was directed by Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders, the Lilo & Stitch (2002) duo. Part 2 is directed by Deblois, solo.

It's been five years since Hiccup (now 20) and his dragon Toothless successfully united dragons and Vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snotlout and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island's new favorite sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace between dragons and Vikings. At the same time, Hiccup meets his long-lost mother Valka, who commands a dragon force of her own and, after a romantic homecoming, joins her family in their struggle.

Among so many characters, both Viking and dragon, you may lose track of who’s who, so this might help: The last known dragon of his kind, Toothless is bulkier, stronger and older in his features. Also, Hiccup's long-lost mom Valka unlocks a neat new attribute: hidden split dorsal fins on his back that give him added flight control. There is a hierarchy of dragons and the Alpha is at the top. The tusked behemoth of the Arctic has the ability to exert its will on other dragons using ultrasonic means, and instead of breathing fire, it can ingest a massive amount of seawater, store it in goiters along its neck and then unleash it at a target. A perfect partner for her human rider, Fishlegs, Meatlug has a bulldog mentality: really tough but also jovial and very sleepy — so much so that she's often nodding off while flying. But like other Gronckles, Meatlug is proficient in warfare when needed. She regurgitates spitballs of lava that can tear apart and incinerate just about anything.

Stormfly's looks are based upon a parrot, and she has a tendency to be curious about sparkling objects. But she's deadly, too, with spikes she can whip out of her tail. She can find Hiccup and Toothless wherever they might be on the edges of the Viking map. A master of finding anything that leaves a scent, Skullcrusher is a combination of a rhinoceros and a pig. Unlike other dragons, Skullcrusher has more than one rider in Dragons 2, but is extremely loyal and knows a good man when he meets one. Hookfang loves to light himself on fire and make a big dramatic statement whenever possible. He's like a bull in a ring. Cloudjumper is the dragon that took Valka from her family 20 years ago and retains a connection with her. This dragon has an extra set of wings, along with the main ones, so when he's flying around, he creates an X in the sky.

A barrage of dragon-Viking revelry is let loose upon the viewers in the first 10 minutes, and with 3D glasses, you might tend to recoil. Thankfully, proceedings soon become manageable. You are not likely to miss Part 1 too much if you haven’t seen it, because the back-story references aren’t too many. Both humans and dragons offer many shapes and colours, obviously dragons having the edge in variety. For starters, there is an ice-spewing dragon. The script takes as many liberties as possible in conjuring up creatures that do not even remotely look like dragons. In the ultimate ode to the species, they are called “the most loyal creatures on earth, who will do anything for their masters.” On the two extremes of get-up and make-up are Stoick, with his unmissable multi-layered, knitted beard, and Drago, with his mean hunk persona. Hiccup’s mechanical leg is an interesting thought. Emotions are stitched together in good proportion, though the darker elements overshadow the lighter. Voices like Gerard Butler (Stoick), Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), Cate Blanchett (Varka), America Ferrera (Astrid), Craig Fergusson (Gobber), Kit Harington (Eret) and Djimon Hounsou (Drago) have all performed well. Cressida Cowell’s book series, adapted into a screenplay by director Deblois, makes interesting viewing, both for adults and young adults. Animation is top-rate and the plot sustains interest.

Rating: ***1/2

Trailer: https://www.howtotrainyourdragon.com/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon-2