How To Train Your Dragon 2 Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Kidzworld on Nov 11, 2014

Rating:

Hiccup and Toothless are in for adventures on a personal and big-time action scale in “How to Train Your Dragon 2”. Check out Kidzworld’s Blu-ray review!

By: Lynn Barker

Hiccup and BFF dragon Toothless are flying around mapping new worlds while Hiccup tests out his own flying suit but these adventures are nothing compared to Hiccup’s first meeting with his long-lost mother!

Hiccup sees his parents reunitedCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Story Goes:

For five years, the citizens of Viking realm Berk have been living happily with their friendly dragons. 20-year-old Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel), now an experienced dragon rider, is busy exploring and mapping his world on the back of his best buddy Toothless, a rare Night Fury dragon. The fly in the ointment? Hiccup’s dad Stoick (voice of Gerard Butler) is ready to retire and make Hiccup the chief of the clan. Hiccup doesn’t think he can ever live up to his dad’s expectations.

Astrid and the gang hope Hiccup can handle life's challengesCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

While investigating a burned section of land, Hiccup and Astrid (America Ferrera) tangle with Eret (Kit Harington) a dragon trapper hoping to capture and turn their dragons over to crazy warlord Drago Bludvist (Djimon Hounsou). Astrid and Hiccup escape and tell Stoick about the dragon army that Drago is amassing. Stoick gets ready for war but Hiccup wants to find Drago and reason with him.

Toothless makes friends with Valka's cool dragonCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Hiccup and Astrid surrender themselves and their dragons to Eret to be taken to Drago. They are rescued by their pals but Hiccup refuses to just go to war. He and Toothless are captured by a dragon master who turns out be Hiccup’s long lost mom Valka (Cate Blanchett). She explains that she learned long ago that dragons were friendly souls at heart and has spent twenty years rescuing them from Drago's traps and bringing them to a haven of ice protected by a ginormous Alpha dragon.

The scary, huge, ice breathing Alpha dragon

Drago, the would-be world dominator, learns that Berk has dragons he can capture for his army. He attacks Valka’s sanctuary with his own gigantic Alpha dragon challenging Valka’s giant critter as they fight for control of all dragons. Drago's Alpha beast wins and takes mental control of all the dragons, including Toothless making him lead the way to Berk. Riding baby dragons too young to be mind-controlled, Hiccup and pals return to defend Berk. Will Hiccup and Toothless be reunited? Will Hiccup become chief?

Hiccup gives his new flying suit a test runCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Special Extra Features

There are a load of extras on this Blu-ray/DVD/Digital set, the first being a cute short film called “Dawn of the Dragon Racers” in which the gang use their dragon riding skills to catch some feisty runaway sheep. The annual boat race “regatta” is left by Stoick in son Hiccup’s hands but the dragon riders are having so much fun catching sheep that they decide to make sheep catching a racing sport. Can this replace the long-revered boat races? – A cute extra

Toothless and Hiccup prepare for a flightCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

In “Fishleg’s Dragon Stats” you can explore the classes, skills and details on every dragon in the entire line up. I had no idea there were that many of them. It’s a fun education. “Drago’s War Machines” is a similar exploration of the anti-dragon devices used by the warlord against our good guy dragons. Cool illustrations. “Berk’s Dragon World” focuses on the changes made in the land of Berk since dragons are now housed there. You see some great illustrations of their living, feeding and grooming stations, totem pole perches etc. Very colorful and creative.

Astrid flies to the rescueCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

“Hiccup’s Inventions in Flight” takes apart his makeshift tail fin for Toothless, his special saddle, dragon blade and especially his multi-faceted peg leg. We see detailed sketches. Another nice art-centered extra.

“Deleted Scenes” are in various stages of animation from almost complete to mere sketched storyboards. Most notable is a beautiful deleted sequence in which Hiccup and his mom go on an adventure together with some amazing flying included. Very nice to see this since you won’t see it anywhere else.

“Commentary” with filmmakers is interesting and chatty for a one-time listen.

“Where No One Goes: The Making of How to Train Your Dragon 2” is very complete, covering the origin of the story, development of the script, decisions to take big emotional risks, etc. A location scouting trip to Norway inspired the icy worlds in the movie. Actors talk about their roles. Jay Baruchel (Hiccup) and Cate Blanchett (Valka) are especially enthusiastic. Sound for the film is discussed as well as music. One of the best of this type of features I’ve seen lately. A “Gallery” of artwork is always welcomed.

Some dragons are sea creatures

Wrapping Up

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a very worthy sequel, taking the characters into a more grown-up part of their lives and including some very deeply emotional challenges for them all. The “look” of the film is amazing and it all comes through in this well-executed home entertainment package. Extras are all enjoyable especially the detailed “making of” featurette. We go 4 stars for this Blu-ray. Think holiday giving!