Capsule: "How to Train Your Dragon"

"Dragons: Smug as hell."

A former colleague of mine told me that I have no soul for kinda disliking this movie. Well sticks and stones my friend. Harumph...

But, I sincerely think he mis-spoke. What he should have said was that this movie, a byproduct of lowest-common denominator cartoon house Dreamworks/PDI, has no soul.

Look, let's not waste time. This is "How to Train Your Dragon" in 3D. It's a kids' movie from Dreamworks, and of course, there's no plot, a couple of decent moments and a propensity to be zany n' shit. So, let's do a grocery list:

- The whole thing was in the trailer. Boy named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel, "Tropic Thunder") meets a dragon, makes some societal changes among his viking peers, angers dad, and winds up in a big battle for some reason in the end.

- There are a few semi-touching moments. Specifically between Hiccup and the Dragon. Like, their first meetings and flights. But, as soon as they take flight, the rest of the movie's on auto-pilot with the predictable adventure tropes and changes you expect in a kids movie. You have seen this movie. Just, more successfully so.

- Rent "Lilo & Stitch" instead. The 2002 film made by the same directors as this, was far fun, funnier and clever.

- The animation's not that great (the dragons are a little jaunty). The characters are not that likable (especially Baruchel's grating whine). And the 3D (Add Three dollars)? Probably looks just like a movie in 2D.

- The score was awesome though. And "Train" was short. Plus there's a Jonsi song in the end.

In conclusion: Pixar will always make better movies, and "Kung Fu Panda" is probably Dreamworks' best animated film. Proof? Take a quick look at this: http://www.eatliver.com/img/2009/4175.jpg

BONUS: This is actually quite nice.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I wanna lower this to a C-.

Reference: http://blakegoble.blogspot.com/2010/04/capsule-how-to-train-your-dragon.html