How To Train Your Dragon is a faithful adaptation of the 2010 animated flick. The earlier film was 98 minutes long and this one has a run time of 125 minutes. The intentions of certain characters are now much more defined. A silly scene from the animated flick was removed in this film, and rightly so. However, in terms of plot, there's nothing new and hence, it's predictable. To show Vikings co-existing with people from other races was added just for the heck of it. The makers should have made use of it in the final battle. Lastly, though the film visually is stunning and VFX is top-class, it gets too dark in some scenes and it'll be more so in the 3D version. Mason Thames (Hiccup) plays the lead role ably. Gerard Butler (Stoic) is the best performer in the film; he's apt for the role. Nico Parker (Astrid) gives a first-rate performance. Nick Frost (Gobber) leaves a mark. From the teen warriors, Julian Dennison (Fishlegs) is most memorable followed by Gabriel Howell (Snotlout), Bronwyn James (Ruffnut) and Harry Trevaldwyn (Tuffnut). All in all, How To Train Your Dragon is an ideal family entertainer this weekend.

My rating - *** ½ out of 5!