How to Train Your Dragon

This captivating animated action-adventure-comedy from the makers of Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda is based on the whimsical titular 2003 children's novel by Cressida Cowell. On the remote Island of Berk, in a world of ancient Nordic warriors and mythical beasts, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) is a nerdy teenager who just doesn't fit in with the rest of the brawny tribe, particularly when it comes to slaying fierce fire-breathing monsters that periodically descend from the skies to wreak havoc. His shortcomings become obvious at dragon-slaying boot camp, much to the disappointment of his father, Viking chief Stoick (Gerard Butler), and his blacksmith mentor, Gobber (Craig Ferguson). Hiccup's classmates—Fishlegs (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), Snotlout (Jonah Hill), and Astrid (America Ferrera)—are far more feisty and ferocious. But when Hiccup secretly rescues an elusive creature that he accidentally maimed, he discovers that dragons aren't really all bad; in fact, they can be talked to, soothed, and befriended. Naming his wounded and voiceless reptilian pal Toothless, Hiccup realizes that “everything we know about you guys is wrong”—an insight that gives him a decided edge over his camp cohorts. Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, How to Train Your Dragon is a visually thrilling film that offers loads of family fun. Highly recommended. (S. Granger)[Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—May 20, 2014—DreamWorks, 98 min., PG, $26.98—Making its latest appearance on Blu-ray and DVD, 2010's How to Train Your Dragon sports a great transfer and a TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack on Blu-ray. Extras include audio commentary by directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois and producer Bonnie Arnold, “The Animators Guide” picture-in-picture track, a trivia track, a bonus episode from the spin-off TV series Dragons: Defenders of Berk (23 min.), a “Book of Dragons” visual training guide (18 min.), a “Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon” companion short (16 min.), the behind-the-scenes featurettes “The Technical Artistry of Dragon” (10 min.), “The Story Behind the Story” (8 min.), “Viking-Sized Cast” (12 min.), “How to Draw a Dragon” featurette (11 min.), deleted scenes (7 min.), a “Gobber's Training Secrets” short (2 min.), “The Ultimate Book of Dragons” interactive training guide, trailers, and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine combo set for those who don't already own.]