The How to Train Your Dragon series has come to an end. This last film stands out for its stunning visuals and touching story, making it a proper “moving grand finale.” It highlights the best in animation, shows how much the characters have grown, and ends on a surprisingly emotional note. For longtime fans, it feels like the perfect reward.

The popular series got a sequel, and it’s rare for a sequel to outshine the original. But this film is one of those rare cases. Set five years after the first movie, it tells a touching story that strengthens the bond between Hiccup and Toothless while exploring big themes like growing up, family, and saying goodbye. If the first film was about friendship between a boy and a dragon, this one is more about coming of age and what it means to grow up.

This film, inspired by Masamune Shirow's manga “Appleseed,” is a fully CGI-animated reboot of the series. Unlike earlier versions, it follows two former soldiers as they try to survive in a ruined world. The visuals and characters are impressive, but the story feels simple and somewhat familiar. It's a good starting point for newcomers or anyone interested in seeing how visual technology has advanced.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a standout film that combines bold, experimental visuals with a universal story about the bond between parents and children. The film’s creative use of watercolor effects and Da Vinci-inspired sketches is especially impressive for a big-budget production, offering viewers a fresh visual experience. The story focuses on the simple but powerful theme of fathers and sons, a hallmark of Lord and Miller’s work, and delivers a more complete coming-of-age story from the parents’ perspective. The film’s answer to the idea of 'making your own story' is both surprising and inspiring, reinventing the Spider-Man narrative in a new way.

This film earned over ¥100 billion worldwide and stands out as a heartfelt achievement in the fan film genre. Thanks to the close teamwork between Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo, a simple story filled with love for gaming becomes a magical, engaging experience in just 90 minutes. Its success shows the power of passionate, collaborative adaptation. The film focuses more on character charm and nostalgia than on critical perfection, sparking some debate. Still, seeing Mario's world on the big screen is an emotional experience that feels like a true love letter to youth, much like receiving a New Year's gift.

Pixar's Inside Out 2 is a massive hit, setting the studio's all-time box office record. The film's success is rooted in its insightful depiction of adolescence through relatable characters and themes, resonating deeply with audiences. The theme is fascinating. Riley grows up and enters adolescence, a transition the film illustrates through her experiences with ice hockey. The rush of skating across the ice mirrors the emotional ups and downs of puberty. The new character, Worry, is particularly memorable, evoking memories of times spent overthinking and hesitating. The visuals are vibrant and beautiful. The music builds upon the first film's strengths while also evolving. The message that 'It's okay not to be perfect' really resonates.

Hiccup, a frail boy from a Viking village, tries and fails to defeat the dragons attacking his home. Instead, he forms a close bond with the powerful Night Fury. By breaking Viking rules and befriending a dragon, Hiccup changes his own future and challenges his people's beliefs. The heartwarming bond between the protagonist Hiccup and the dragon (Toothless, known as Tooth in Japanese), and the tender connection between Hiccup and his strict father. In this film, the nonverbal Night Fury, Toothless, is captivating, with mannerisms reminiscent of a cat.

The movie "Inside Out" is a masterpiece because it powerfully conveys the essential message that recognizing and accepting all of our emotions, especially sadness, is vital for emotional well-being. By personifying emotions as characters, the film not only entertains audiences of all ages but also helps viewers understand the mechanics of emotions and relationships, making the importance of sadness especially clear. Pixar's innovative animation and storytelling make this message both impactful and accessible.

The story continued the anime. The visual beauty of the images, which were full CG but looked like live-action, was terrific. However, the realism made it challenging to distinguish between the same characters. I vaguely recognized Mufasa and Scar, young Simba, and young Nala. Still, I don't recognize Sarabi and Nala when they talk side by side.

This film is the fifth film in the Resident Evil whole 3DCG series. Jill appears for the first time in the series.