wearetheborg

The box office curve supports this hypothesis --- it didnt have a super opening week; but word of mouth later resulted in a strong overall take later.

Michael Corvin

Late to this party, but I think the same thing every time my girls watch it. Tootless looks like he could be right out of the Stitch universe. I know Sanders directed both, but come on, a little too similar in my book.

gryffinmaster

The misses said the same thing after we watched it. I, however, was so absorbed in Toothless' cat-like personality that it simply didn't register, or matter.

PS: I absolutely adore this flick. Easily among my top ten from this year.

wearetheborg

Toothless also reminded me of some cartoon character; it may be stitch but I cannot say for sure since I havent watched that movie.

I also thought Toothless was more dog like, with his tail wagging, sitting obediently, going a bit nuts when he saw

gryffinmaster

Yeah, there's definitely a bit of both.

fumanstan

Since I adored Stitch and that's my favorite Disney movie, it's probably why I loved this so much

iggystar

I agree.

I live in a household that aren't fond of pets and I wanted to totally disregard everyone's feelings, rush out and adopt a dog and a cat after the movie was over.

milo bloom

This is basically my excuse. Dreamworks animation is too inconsistent to waste on a theater viewing when you have to get a babysitter. But we put it in our Netflix queue and gave it a fair shot and loved it. If DW could push themselves to push this type of movie more, audiences would grow to enjoy them more and we would have less big-name voice actor/pop culture reference type flicks.

fumanstan

To be fair, box office wise Dreamworks is doing just fine. People on DVDTalk seem to hate the Shrek movies or whatever else Dreamwork puts out with a passion, but the general public seems to enjoy them quite a bit given the box office takes are pretty close to a lot of the Pixar movies.

Deftones

i watched this last week. loved it. had a great story and superb visuals.

lizard

It hasn't been mentioned much in the last couple of pages of this thread, but in addition to the "great story and superb visuals" I'd like to put in a plug for the score. It really worked well with most of the movie and with some of the aerial sequences, such as "Romantic Flight", it was excellent.

I generally don't appreciate the score of movies until after several viewings and that was true for How to Train Your Dragon as well.

lizard

In my case, I was surprised last Spring when the word of mouth for HTTYD—in this very thread and in reviews—was so favorable that I dragged myself to the theater (70 mile round trip) to see it. And then returned two weeks later with my friends to see it again.

wearetheborg

Yeah, I loved the score too!

I really really liked it right at the end of the movie when

The end song is nice too, high pace, high energy.

I liked the score right from the beginning.

Michael Corvin

This is absolutely correct. Outside of a select few (Egypt, Madagascar, and maybe Panda & Monsters vs. A.)*, Dreamworks hasn't really proven to me that I should see their movies in the theater. Even out of those only Egypt and Dragon would make the theater cut in my book. Looking at a list of their 21 films, there are quite a few I haven't seen though.

*I don't think of the Aardman films as Dreamworks movies.

wearetheborg

You didnt like Kung Fu Panda? Its one of my favorite films.

wearetheborg

I totally know what you mean

iggystar

I loved the score as well, especially the part in your spoiler. I rewound it several times it was so feel good.

Checking out that list I'm surprised at the number of Dreamworks animated movies I like. I really enjoyed Spirit in the theaters, of course Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar. Over the Hedge, Flushed Away and Sinbad were fun, IMO.

wearetheborg

+1
PS: Avatar was a piece of trash (exept for the special effects I guess). I watched it only once.

lizard

I have some neighbors who don't like animals and I have been reluctant to recommend this movie to them for just that reason.


[For the record, I share my abode with two cats as well as a horde of wild critters outside the windows, ranging from chipmunks and mountain chickadees to bobcats, deer and mountain lions. (Had to slow my bicycle a few days ago to wait for a herd of elk to cross the road.)]

Hokeyboy

Finally saw this tonight. By FAR Dreamworks Animation's masterpiece, and a great movie throughout.

I knew I was hooked when I was totally caught up in the whole world. The look of the Vikings, the organic quality of the village, the excellent stage action sequences, and the many small character moments littered throughout as well.

It looks like the movie really took advantage of the 3D environment, moreso than Toy Story 3. Kicking myself for missing this in theaters, but overall this was grand entertainment. And free from the snarky, ironic, pop-culture laden proclivities that Dreamworks Animation is unfortunately often saddled with.

Great movie overall.

The Bus

That would be Over the Hedge; otherwise, I would say this and Kung Fu Panda round out the three at-least-decent Dreamworks movies.

(I haven't seen the Woodsy Allen one).

wearetheborg

Did anyone "feel" the part where


I felt the speed, like I was right there, great sequence; got my adrenaline up. Did it feel even better in 3D?

whoopdido

I finally watched this on blu tonight. Just an absolutely wonderful movie. Truly one of the best movies I've seen recently and I would definitely put it in my top 5 animated movies. I'm a huge fan of Pixar but this easily rivals Pixar's best and beats many of their efforts.

Not like it really matters, but it's a shame this didn't win the best animated Oscar. Like I said, I'm a huge Pixar fan, but I couldn't get through Toy Story 3. I made it about halfway and turned it off. I just couldn't get into it and felt that I'd seen the same thing twice before, but done much better in the prior 2 movies. Dragon grabbed me from the start and never let go. I loved everything about it. I hardly ever say this, but I can't wait for the sequel. Oh, and I think Toothless is one of the best animated characters of all time.

Michael Corvin

Don't think this is worthy of a new thread, but does anyone know anything about the direct-to-DVD/BD release next week? According to the YouTube link below, the run times are 22 min and 18 minutes.



DreamWorks Dragons: Gift of Night Fury
New! The Dragons are back in the exciting next chapter to the Academy Award®-nominated film, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon. The epic story of Hiccup and Toothless continues as they take flight in a thrilling, all-new adventure to discover an island of never-before-seen dragons. Explosive action and fire-breathing excitement collide in this exhilarating story.

Dragons: Book of Dragons
New! So you want to be a dragon trainer do you? Prepare yourself for adventure, excitement and training as Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless and Gobber tell the legend behind the Book of Dragons and reveal insider training secrets about new, never-before-seen dragons.

Trailer:

Lara Means

I love HttyD. When is a real sequel coming out and not this direct to dvd crap?