"How to Train Your Dragon" series are one of best Dream Works movies, maybe even the best if you look for something more than comedy (sorry Prince of Egypt).
The first movie had a predictable plot and somewhat confusing main villain but more than made up for it with very likable protagonists, attention to details, imagination, great pacing and of course beautiful animation.
The second movie had an equal amount of ups and downs: more emotional and more epic in size, but the plot felt less polished, the main arc is vague and large side-cast struggles to find something to do, especially by the second half.
And the third... is still okay, but clearly the weakest movie. I feel like they NEEDED to make this trilogy, but lacked any ideas what to do for the final movie.
New dragon-riding technology? None, at least nothing comparable to upgrades between 1st and 2nd film.
White female dragon? Nowhere near as cute or interesting as Toothless. Confusingly hostile, compared to every other dragon.
This "hidden world"? We spend 5 minutes in it and leave. Meh
New villain? Has class, but lacks the scale or unique abilities. Honestly, Hiccup could beat him with a sheer number of his dragons.
Side Cast? Even more shoe-horned than last time. Only Astrid needs to be in this movie.
Main arc? (Vague Spoilers) Letting go, which I already have seen better in Toy Story 3 or Wreck-it Ralph 2, and frankly, the movie doesn't give a satisfying explanation of why this sad ending is needed. For me, it felt like giving up to Racial Segregation.
So while I wouldn't call it a bad movie, dozen little niggle stopped me from liking it as much as the other two. It just lacks any fleshed-out ideas other than "let's end on bitter-sweet separation".
Eeeeeh
"How to Train Your Dragon" series are one of best Dream Works movies, maybe even the best if you look for something more than comedy (sorry Prince of Egypt).
The first movie had a predictable plot and somewhat confusing main villain but more than made up for it with very likable protagonists, attention to details, imagination, great pacing and of course beautiful animation. The second movie had an equal amount of ups and downs: more emotional and more epic in size, but the plot felt less polished, the main arc is vague and large side-cast struggles to find something to do, especially by the second half.
And the third... is still okay, but clearly the weakest movie. I feel like they NEEDED to make this trilogy, but lacked any ideas what to do for the final movie.
New dragon-riding technology? None, at least nothing comparable to upgrades between 1st and 2nd film. White female dragon? Nowhere near as cute or interesting as Toothless. Confusingly hostile, compared to every other dragon. This "hidden world"? We spend 5 minutes in it and leave. Meh New villain? Has class, but lacks the scale or unique abilities. Honestly, Hiccup could beat him with a sheer number of his dragons. Side Cast? Even more shoe-horned than last time. Only Astrid needs to be in this movie. Main arc? (Vague Spoilers) Letting go, which I already have seen better in Toy Story 3 or Wreck-it Ralph 2, and frankly, the movie doesn't give a satisfying explanation of why this sad ending is needed. For me, it felt like giving up to Racial Segregation.
So while I wouldn't call it a bad movie, dozen little niggle stopped me from liking it as much as the other two. It just lacks any fleshed-out ideas other than "let's end on bitter-sweet separation".