Toothless and Hiccup Land Home on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

This week on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital in a Collector’s Edition from writer/director Dean DeBlois, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the returning tale of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

On the island of Berg, Hiccup (Mason Thames) is a young man that doesn’t quite fit in, especially when it comes to fighting the one thing that plagues his village – dragons! It is even more difficult to fit in when your father is Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) the chieftain of Berk. Hiccup mainly spends his time in the workshop of Gobber (Nick Frost) the blacksmith and being pushed out of the way when dragons attack. Except during the most recent attack, Hiccup hears something and knows if he can bring down a Night Fury, his life will get better yet, when he does, no one believes him.

Stoick is dead set on finding the dragons lair and getting rid of their dragon problem once and for all. Before leaving on that journey, Gobber talks him into letting Hiccup go into dragon training as a way of giving him something useful to do and staying under the watchful eye of Gobber. When he arrives for training, Hiccup is met with the groans of Astrid (Nico Parker), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn) who see him as a hinderance and not a help to the village.

In between training, Hiccup decides to go look for signs that he caught a dragon. There, in a small opening in the woods, he sees the Night Fury struggling and shortly realizes his tail is damaged. When a friendship is struck and he discovers a way to help the Night Fury, Hiccup realizes that he can’t and won’t hurt other dragons. As the two become inseparable and he learns from the dragon named Toothless – Hiccup also becomes a surprise during training much to the suspicion of Astrid.

She learns Hiccups secret but also realizes that the villagers truly don’t understand dragons. When Stoick returns, everything comes out and now Hiccup and Toothless are separated while finding the dragon’s lair. Hiccup enlists the help of Astrid and the others to do what needs to be done – saving his father and the other Vikings!

Thames as Hiccup is a young man trying to find his place in the Viking village of Berk. Keeping himself busy with making inventions that no one really pays attention to, he thinks it’s time to get a dragon. The one thing Hiccup doesn’t count on is realizing that getting to know dragons is the answer to the villages’ problem. It’s unfortunate that Stoick isn’t interested in hearing about it. Thames is charming and captures a bit of the animated Hiccup but it works smoothly and that’s what is important.

Butler as Stoick is the only person that returns from animation to live-action. The fact is that nobody could voice the chieftain better than Butler and he is fun to watch in full Viking regalia. That makes playing the role much easier since he pretty much already knows the lines. The challenge I think would be going from being only a voice to a full-fledged Stoick on screen. He is funny, challenging, and the scene where he gives Hiccup his mother’s helmet is awkward and lovely at the same time.

Frost as Gobber is the peg-legged, one arm blacksmith who understands Hiccup’s predicament referring to him as “all this” of problems with a mixture of loyalty to Stoick as well as a trusted friend. Frost gives his character sarcasm and wit that I secretly enjoy and delivers. Parker as Astrid giving the strong minded and strong-willed Viking who believes she must beat everyone and everything in order to be seen as a leader. Hiccup is an obstacle to all that as she feels that being the son of the chieftain is a point she cannot get over. Parker delivers on the right bad attitude of her character until she begins to see the other side of the story. Well done.

Dennison, James, Trevaldwyn, and Codd round out the added cast as the other trainees of dragon camp. They might see Hiccup as a problem-child in the beginning but, like Astrid, learn that there is more to their small world than they could ever imagine. Each of these actors are a sweet addition to the live action story.

Other cast include Peter Serafinowicz as Spitelout, Naomi Wirthner as Gothi, Ruth Codd as Phlegma, Andrea Ware as Burnheart, Anna Brophy as Retcha, Marcus Onilude as Snorti, Peter Selwood as Drul, Daniel Williams as Fungi, Kate Kennedy as Flatula and Murray McArthur as Hoark.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

DreamWorks brings amazing, film and animated entertainment, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Love and Legacy: Making HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, Building Berk, Dreaming Up the Dragons, Fit for a King, Forbidden Friendship, Exploring the Isle of Berk at Epic Universe and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Dean DeBlois and more!

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is, of course, the live action version of the 2010 version of the same name. The cast brings together that version of the story nicely with a few changes here and there but most following the formula that made the animated film such a success. That is important for the success of the film because, and let’s be honest here, when a story changes drastically, fans get a little edgy.

Toothless remains animated and everything my family loves about the Night Fury. Needless to say, there are plenty of Toothless items around our house because that is the amazing impression this character has made. He is a combination of a strong willed, free spirited, protector of a black cat and its absolutely wonderful. That’s how I’ve always seen Toothless and this film doesn’t change that about him one bit.

The film is fun, lots of laughs, and exactly the summer feature that families can have an amazing time at the theatre with. There is something for everyone bringing some of us back to 2010 and introducing a new generation to the same fun in a different way with the story of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

In the end – the legend is real!

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is Live-Action

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Dean DeBlois, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures is the returning tale of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

On the island of Berg, Hiccup (Mason Thames) is a young man that doesn’t quite fit in, especially when it comes to fighting the one thing that plagues his village – dragons! It is even more difficult to fit in when your father is Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) the chieftain of Berk. Hiccup mainly spends his time in the workshop of Gobber (Nick Frost) the blacksmith and being pushed out of the way when dragons attack. Except during the most recent attack, Hiccup hears something and knows if he can bring down a Night Fury, his life will get better yet, when he does, no one believes him.

Stoick is dead set on finding the dragons lair and getting rid of there dragon problem once and for all. Before leaving on that journey, Gobber talks him into letting Hiccup go into dragon training as a way of giving him something useful to do and staying under the watchful eye of Gobber. When he arrives for training, Hiccup is met with the groans of Astrid (Nico Parker), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), Ruffnut (Bronwyn James) and Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn) who see him as a hinderance and not a help to the village.

In between training, Hiccup decides to go look for signs that he caught a dragon. There, in a small opening in the woods, he sees the Night Fury struggling and shortly realizes his tail is damaged. When a friendship is struck and he discovers a way to help the Night Fury, Hiccup realizes that he can’t and won’t hurt other dragons. As the two become inseparable and he learns from the dragon named Toothless – Hiccup also becomes a surprise during training much to the suspicion of Astrid.

She learns Hiccups secret but also realizes that the villagers truly don’t understand dragons. When Stoick returns, everything comes out and now Hiccup and Toothless are separated while finding the dragon’s lair. Hiccup enlists the help of Astrid and the others to do what needs to be done – saving his father and the other Vikings!

Thames as Hiccup is a young man trying to find his place in the Viking village of Berk. Keeping himself busy with making inventions that no one really pays attention to, he thinks its time to get a dragon. The one thing Hiccup doesn’t count on is realizing that getting to know dragons is the answer to the villages’ problem. It’s unfortunate that Stoick isn’t interested in hearing about it. Thames is charming and captures a bit of the animated Hiccup but it works smoothly and that’s what is important.

Butler as Stoick is the only person that returns from animation to live-action. The fact is that nobody could voice the chieftain better than Butler and he is fun to watch in full Viking regalia. That makes playing the role much easier since he pretty much already knows the lines. The challenge I think would be going from being only a voice to a full-fledged Stoick on screen. He is funny, challenging, and the scene where he gives Hiccup his mother’s helmet is awkward and lovely at the same time.

Frost as Gobber is the peg-legged, one arm blacksmith who understands Hiccup’s predicament referring to him as “all this” of problems with a mixture of loyalty to Stoick as well as a trusted friend. Frost gives his character sarcasm and wit that I secretly enjoy and delivers. Parker as Astrid giving the strong minded and strong-willed Viking who believes she must beat every one and everything in order to be seen as a leader. Hiccup is an obstacle to all that as she feels that being the son of the chieftain is a point she can not get over. Parker delivers on the right bad attitude of her character until she begins to see the other side of the story. Well done.

Dennison, James, Trevaldwyn, and Codd round out the added cast as the other trainees of dragon camp. They might see Hiccup as a problem-child in the beginning but, like Astrid, learn that there is more to their small world than they could ever imagine. Each of these actors are a sweet addition to the live action story.

Other cast include Peter Serafinowicz as Spitelout, Naomi Wirthner as Gothi, Ruth Codd as Phlegma, Andrea Ware as Burnheart, Anna Brophy as Retcha, Marcus Onilude as Snorti, Peter Selwood as Drul, Daniel Williams as Fungi, Kate Kennedy as Flatula and Murray McArthur as Hoark.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is, of course, the live action version of the 2010 version of the same name. The cast brings together that version of the story nicely with a few changes here and there but most following the formula that made the animated film such a success. That is important for the success of the film because, and let’s be honest here, when a story changes drastically, fans get a little edgy.

Toothless remains animated and everything my family loves about the Night Fury. Needless to say, there are plenty of Toothless items around our house because that is the amazing impression this character has made. He is a combination of a strong willed, free spirited, protector of a black cat and its absolutely wonderful. That’s how I’ve always seen Toothless and this film doesn’t change that about him one bit.

The film is fun, lots of laughs, and exactly the summer feature that families can have an amazing time at the theatre with. There is something for everyone bringing some of us back to 2010 and introducing a new generation to the same fun in a different way with the story of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

In the end – the legend is real!

DREAMWORKS Starts the Fall with Fun

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from DreamWorks and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is an amazing collection of beloved films that will have the family snuggling up on the sofa for the beginning of a fun fall with DREAMWORKS 10-MOVIE COLLECTION.

Beginning in 2001, audiences were introduced to SHREK, the swamp dwelling ogre who only wanted to be left alone. When the kingdom is turned upside down by a pint size ruler, Shrek (voiced by Mike Meyers) begrudgingly agrees to bring the king Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz) along with Shrek’s irritatingly delightful sidekick Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy).

SPIRIT: Stallion of Cimarron arrives in theates in 2002 with Matt Damon as the voice of Spirit, a wild stallion that begins an adventure learning about humans. Captured and experiencing the world, his one goal is to return home to the herd he loves.

In 2005, the animated film MADAGASCAR introduces us to animals living the good life at the New York zoo. Star attraction Alex (voiced by Ben Stiller) is a lion enjoying his home and all the attention. Best friend Marty (voiced by Chris Rock) is a zebra who wants to see more of the world. Friends Melman (David Schwimmer) the hypochondriac giraffe and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) is the luscious hippo who is not ashamed of who she is join them on the trip. Ending up in Madagascar, they must learn to adjust to a new life and King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen)!

The world has always had a soft spot for pandas, well, in 2008 we had more of a reason for that when DreamWorks brought KUNG FU PANDA. Po (Jack Black) is a panda being raised by Mr. Ping (James Hong) in the family noodle business, but he wants more. Obsessed with the group known as the Furious Five that included Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross), a twist of fate has Po crowned the Dragon Warrior. Much to the dismay of Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), the group has no choice but to train him in preparation for the arrival of the evil Tai Lung (Ian McShane). They can do it but only if they do it together!

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON enchanted audiences in 2010 with the story of a young Viking boy named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who can’t seem to find his place which is more difficult when your father is Stoick (Gerard Butler), leader of the Vikings. Known for taking down dragons, imagine how his life changed when he meets Toothless! Trying to explain the sudden switch to caring about dragons, Astrid (America Ferrera) must be shown why they are so great (although I could have told her THAT). Hiccup must find out what is happening to the dragons before his dad makes things more difficult!

If you think your family has it hard, trying being part of THE CROODS! Brought to us in 2013, this family led by very protective dad Grug (Nicolas Cage) also includes Mom Ugga (Catherine Keener), Gran (Cloris Leachman), son Thunk (Clark Duke) and teenager with a dream for more in the world Eep (Emma Stone). As their world literally starts falling down around them, they run into Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who is a tad different than they are but has great ideas for surviving. Trying to reach a safer place to live, Grug is not happy that Eep has taken to Guy and that Guy is taking away the trust the family has always turned to him for. It is survival mixed with creatures and intense humor but, most importantly, the love of family – especially this family.

Turning to outer space that takes over our space, the 2015 DreamWorks film HOME introduced us to the Boov and Oh (Jim Parsons). Removing humans from their homes, the young Tip (Rihanna) is separated from her Mom Lucy (Jennifer Lopez). After accidentally sending an invited to the universe for every Boov to join them on Earth, it also is received by the Boov enemy and Gorg. Now Tip and Boov must learn from one another about how to become friends and save the world!

The year 2016 became the year of the TROLLS as we meet Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) who spend their time trying to avoid the Bergens. Especially since there is a belief that the only way Bergens can be happy is by tasting a Troll! Escaping, the unhappy Chef (Chrstine Baranski) spends her life trying to find them. In the meantime, the kingdom is taken over by King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) who waits for the day he can taste a troll and be happy. Watching his every move is Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) who basically is crushing on the King. When Bridget meets Poppy, Branch and the gang, she sees there is more to them than a tasty treat – its song and friendship.

A year later, DreamWorks brings us an unexpected little package of fun with the 2017 film BOSS BABY. Tim (Miles Bakshi) is surprised when Dad (Jimmy Kimmel) and Mom (Lisa Kudrow) bring home a bundle of boy (Alec Baldwin). But there is something a little different about this particular bundle when Tim discovers his baby brother is a suit wearing talking (Alec Baldwin) affection robber! They must put that aside when they learn that the company their parents work for, Puppy Co., is about to unleash animals that are not as adorable as they look. The brothers are about to show how it is done!

The last film in the collection is the 2019 animated ABOMINABLE. It is the story of young Yi (Chloe Bennet) who spends her time finding ways to make a few dollars to someday make a trip to anywhere. On the rooftop of her building, she sneaks away to play the violin to remember her father. One night she discovers a hurt abominable and there is almost an immediate connection between the two. Wanting to get him home, Yi names her friend Everest and along with Peng (Albert Tsai) and Jin (Tenzing Trainor), they must get their big fluffy friend back home before Mr. Burnish (Eddie Izzard) and Dr. Zara (Sarah Paulson) capture him for their own purposes. On their travels, Yi begins to release the hurt she carries to see the beauty of the world and the amazing things her friend Everest can do!

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

The Collection also includes Bonus Features of Animated Shorts + Music Videos + How-Tos + Trivia + Deleted Scenes + so much more!

DREAMWORKS 10-MOVIE COLLECTION is stunning, charming, endearing, fun, hilarious, life lessons, friendship, personal responsibility, protecting family and creating a new family and everything else wonderful. The colorful animation is something that DreamWorks started so many years ago and each film brings it better, sharper and more amazing.

The storytelling for each of these films is based in creativity that is rich and deserving of applause for each of the directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson, Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Tim Johnson, Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook, Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois, Kirk DeMicco, John Stevenson, Mark Osborne, Jill Culton and Mike Mitchell.

Time to break out the popcorn and make a floor bed enough for the entire family because once you get started with these films you may not want to stop. It is fantastic to have all 10 of these films in one place for easy access and, in my case with a big entertainment library, makes them easier to find to watch again and again.

In this time of us all being together, what more could you ask for then sharing it with the films we have come to love.

In the end – family night is going to be every night with DreamWorks!