I’m sure I’m not alone in my aversion to the scourge of live-action remakes of usually better animated classics that is currently infecting Hollywood. Well, they usually make money, mostly from parents desperate for a few hours of solid family entertainment, so they aren’t going away. Grumble grumble. 

It is, therefore, a welcome surprise when one of these cash-grabs is actually as good as the cartoon original. (Even a tad better? Your call.) The franchise has wandered through several not-bad sequels to the 2010 tentpole. 

The story in a nutshell: The main activity of an isolated Viking village is defending itself against regular dragon attacks. The chief’s son, nicknamed “Hiccup” (Mason Thames), is a smart, slight lad who prefers reading and inventing to dragon-slaying drills. He discovers in the woods a wounded Night Fury, the rarest of all dragons. He names him “Toothless.” 

As he bonds with the creature, he discovers something that could alter the village’s very future. Gerard Butler handles the domineering chief’s role with ease, Nico Parker excels as Hiccup’s love interest, and Nick Frost is funny as a dragon-fighting coach.  

So we know the story. Don’t expect originality, but a committed Dreamworks has pulled out all the stops to make something that’s, of course, dazzling but also a sweet and moving story of discovery, tolerance, and love. And they got the original film’s writer/director, Dean Deblois, to make it. Quibble time: a few set pieces drag on too long; there’s no reason the runtime should be over two hours.

P.S. The pathetic remake wonks over at Disney should be made to watch this movie. Repeatedly. Big screen, please, the biggest you can find. (125 min)

Interested in more exciting movie reviews? Check out our reviews of other classic films like Jurassic World: Rebirth, or the newest Karate Kid: Legends.