How to Train Your DragonPretty great movie, definitely Dreamwork's best and proof that they don't have to rely on pop culture references. The movie is at its best when it's not try too hard to be funny [which it does still do from time to time] and when it focuses on the inherent awesomeness of having and flying a dragon. The animation is great [especially during the flight scenes and the well-done action scenes] and the music really, truly good. The only real knock against it is the story, it's basically the standard, time-worn "social awkward kid whose dad thinks he's a loser uses his special skill to save the day and everyone likes him at the end" that get uses quite often. Actually, it's dangerously close to being a ripoff of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, just with some Viking window-dressing and dragons instead of food. Everything else helps to smooth this over, but its noticeable [especially in some of the later scenes where it becomes very predictable].
However, there was one turn of the story that I liked. At the end, the main character
spoiler (click to show/hide)
losing his leg in the final battle was pretty gutsy on Dreamwork's part. So props for that.
It actually starts to make sense that this is one of Dreamworks best when you realize it was written and directed by some of the same people who wrote and/or directed Lilo & Stitch, Mulan, Alladin, The Lion King, and Beauty & the Beast.
