In the last film, young viking Hiccup succeeded his father, Stoick the Vast, as Chieftain of the island of Berk. In this film, he and his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, lead their community of humans and dragons. There's a lot of humans and even more dragons and even less space. That's a problem. So Hiccup sets out to find the "Hidden World," a mythical dragon community, and maybe relocate his people and dragons there.
Hiccup has a few more issues. His fellow vikings want him to tie the knot with his best friend, Astrid (America Ferrera). Toothless falls for a female White Fury dragon. Hiccup plays wingman for his dragon. But the White Fury won't let him near them. An evil dragon hunter Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham) wants to slay Toothless. Perhaps it's best the dragons go to the Hidden World without their humans.
Writer and Director Dean DeBlois returns to finish the story he helped start with Chris Sanders in 2010. It's a fine story. A major part of the film involves Hiccup and Berk relocating to a new island. They essentially decide home is where you make it. It's almost like Thor Ragnarok's ending. But it's good. Toothless and the White Fury's (they never give her an actual name?!) scenes are delightful. Grimmel's goal is to satisfy his own ego; it works because he's that deranged.
Amongst the cast, highlights include the returning duo of Tuffnut (Justin Rupple) and Ruffnut (Kristin Wiig). They're so annoying they're actually funny. Rupple gets points for his flawless impersonation of Tuffnut's original actor, TJ Miller, who had to be replaced due to certain circumstances. You can hardly tell if some of Miller's work remains. Cate Blanchett's Valka is another welcome return. Though I don't know what to make of the viking Fishlegs's (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) attraction to her.
It's another technical wonder like its predecessors. The new and old dragons are visually appealing. The White Fury's glittery skin is especially striking. The opening sequence, where Hiccup and his fellow dragon-riders, liberate caged dragons from captivity, is a great action scene. The final battle with Grimmel and his forces is just as amazing. It helps that now Oscar winner Roger Deakins helped with the film's look. The animated environments are just as appealing as the character designs. The Hidden World is a sight to behold. And John Powell has another score ready for the magnificence.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World promises that it's the end. That may dissatisfy anyone hoping for more adventures. But we have Toy Story 4 in June, so maybe.... But the final scene with Hiccup and Toothless is certifiably emotional. It may hit you more if you've followed the franchise since its beginning. It's still an exciting animated fantasy adventure. Let's see how it fares in next year's Oscars.
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