Prediction: How to Train Your Dragon 2

by Shiri Sondheimer · Published April 3, 2014 · Updated April 4, 2014

Shiri’s Prediction: I could claim I plan to see this relatively soon after opening because Izzy is pumped about it, but that would be a one-quarter truth. Why one-quarter? Because Jon, Izzy, and I are all pumped about it and Zora would be too if she had any concept of “future” or “coming soon.” <addendum: we saw Peabody and Sherman on 3-9 and this preview played; she leaned onto the edge of her seat, yelled “DRAGONS!” and, when it was done, looked at Jon and I and said, “AWESOME!”> The first movie is adorable and exciting, and has embedded lessons about being who you are even if other people can’t see the awesome quite yet. The second installment appears to continue the tradition giving us a Hiccup who, while older and in way, way cooler armor, is still a brainiac (have I mentioned this is a compliment in my house), a bit of a dork, and still utterly hopeless with the ladies. All those things and still a wonderfully huge-hearted, smart, funny hero. Exactly the sort of hero I want my kids to look up to. And to be, should they so choose the hero path in life. Besides, Scottish Vikings! Cate Blanchette! And also dragons! So many awesome dragons! Yes, yes, a million times yes.

Now if only training kids was as easy as training Toothless…

Luke’s Prediction: So, we have the first book somewhere in the pile of books the kid keeps at the side of her bed. Somehow, it and the movie have yet to reach the top of the stack for reading or viewing. She had a number of the McDonald’s toys from the first movie (I will pretend to blame grandma and papa for that), and I have heard lots of good things about it.

But, this is more of a critique of the trailer than the movie, what was going on there? Uh, bit of advice if you trailer needs a second voice over, in addition to the “in a world…” guy, there is something wrong. And using footage of how exciting it is to fly on a dragon, might work on the big screen or hdtv, but a trailer is going to be consumed on a laptop or a phone, so that footage just looks blurry. The goal of a sequel trailer should be to set up the cast from the first film, and I don’t think a single name was given in the entire trailer. And the ultimate sin, of giving away actual reveals during a trailer is still an offense that I think people should see jail time for. So, as a trailer this one is pretty bad.

OK, it did look interesting in parts, and it does not wipe it off my list of things to see, but this trailer is the type of trailer that makes me want to stop watching them. All it missed was an overused top 40 pop song.

Shiri Sondheimer

Bloginatrix and disembodied voice at The Last Chance Salon (lastchancepod.com). RN at the Department of Therapeutic Misadventures. Currently at work on Hero Handlers (Spring '15).