How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World tells its story on the most enormous scale of the whole series.
Each movie in the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy had to make the world bigger and bring new surprises. Director Dean DeBlois said, “Wonder is so important. It speaks to the adventurous child within all of us.”
New islands, mysterious dragons, and the legendary Sacred Place all feel truly epic. The director and production designer, Pierre-Olivier Vincent, wanted everything to be big, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for the audience.
The Evolution of Animation Technology: Showcasing the Peak
When discussing the animated film “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” its overwhelming visual beauty is impossible to ignore. What particularly moved me was the shot early on where the camera pans from Hiccup and Toothless flying to reveal countless dragons filling the entire screen!
Each dragon seems to move and breathe on its own. There’s no sign of shortcuts—everything feels full of life. This scene alone shows how much animation has improved.
The way the film shows sand is also impressive. When Toothless tries to impress Light Fury by kicking up sand, every grain seems to swirl and shine in a very realistic way. This detail makes the movie feel even more immersive.
Other scenes also used impressive technology to blend animation with live-action effects.
The enduring appeal of the protagonist, Hiccup, who continues to grow
What’s truly remarkable throughout the entire How to Train Your Dragon series is how the protagonist, Hiccup, has constantly evolved. He never stays in one place; in each installment, he faces new challenges and overcomes them.
In this movie, Hiccup has to step up as the Viking chieftain. But those of us who know him can see he often doubts if he’s really up to the job. This uncertainty is a big part of who he is and shows how much he still has to grow.
As the story goes on, Hiccup has to make some tough choices. Balancing his dream of humans and dragons living together, his friendship with Toothless, and his duties as chieftain is not easy. The movie shows his struggle well, and his choice proves he’s become a real leader.
Toothless’s Love Story—Emotion Beyond Words
The best part of the film is Toothless and Light Fury’s love story. The scenes where Toothless tries to win her over are some of the most memorable in the whole movie.
Toothless drawing pictures in the sand on the beach, awkwardly dancing—all without a single line of dialogue. Merely through the movements and expressions of the two dragons, feelings of love, confusion, and joy are conveyed. The mastery of this “visual storytelling” is nothing short of the pinnacle of modern animation.
Toothless’s expressions are amazing. The way his eyes shine, his ears twitch, and his tail moves all show how he feels. It’s impressive how the animators make us care so much about a character who never speaks.
Light Fury is also a captivating character. Watching her, naturally wary and slow to open up, gradually trust Toothless is both heartwarming and bittersweet. The beauty of the scene where the two soar through the sky was truly breathtaking.
The sole issue: the villain’s weakness
The only letdown in this movie is the villain, Grimmel. He’s just a dragon hunter and doesn’t have the depth or complexity of earlier villains like Drago or Vigo.
Honestly, I even wondered, “Wouldn’t the story have worked without a villain?” Hiccup and Toothless’s search for the sacred place and Toothless and Light Fury’s relationship seemed strong enough to carry the film. I know a story needs some danger, but I wish Grimmel had been given more depth.
Regarding Story Pacing and Structure
The start of the story feels a bit slow, just like in the first two movies. It spends a lot of time setting up the world and the situation, so it takes a while before the main plot really gets going.
The story also moves from place to place a lot, jumping between islands and new locations. It makes it feel scattered more than the other movies do. But since they’re searching for the sacred site, it makes sense.
But once the story picks up, it becomes really exciting. The action scenes are even more intense than before, and the final flying sequence had me on the edge of my seat as they dodged obstacles.
As the conclusion to the trilogy, a satisfying finale
On its own, this movie seems weaker than the others. The story isn’t as deep as the first two.
What’s most important is that this film works perfectly as the trilogy’s ending. It shows how much Hiccup has grown, the height of friendship with Toothless, and the future they choose, all with genuine care and emotion.
The ending, in particular, was magnificent. To avoid spoilers, I won’t go into detail, but the conclusion that provides an answer to Hiccup and Toothless’s relationship was both unexpected and deeply satisfying. It took a direction different from what many viewers, including my wife, anticipated, yet it delivered a truly fulfilling ending—this is the mark of an exceptional story.
Summary: The Conclusion of Bonds, and a New Departure
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a touching film that wraps up the trilogy in a significant way. Its stunning visuals, the characters’ growth, and an ending that exceeds expectations all come together to leave viewers truly satisfied.
There are some minor problems, like the weak villain and slow start, but the film’s charm more than makes up for them. Toothless’s love story, in particular, brought out feelings that words can’t describe.
The movie shows that the bond between people and their partners, or even their chosen family, can be stronger than blood ties. It quietly but powerfully shares this message.
Fans of the series will definitely enjoy this film. If you’re new to it, I encourage you to watch this adventure and touching story with your family. The end of Hiccup and Toothless’s journey will leave a lasting impression.
What answer did they find at the end of their adventure? That’s a special treasure you’ll have to discover for yourself by watching the film.
