QUICK TAKES: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, The Little Mermaid Blu-ray, and Ralph Breaks the Internet Blu-ray
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| Courtesy of DreamWorks |
(Rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor.)
The cast: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson and Gerard Butler.
What it’s about: In the third and final installment of this underrated, emotionally resonant series, Hiccup (Baruchel) is now chief and ruler of Berk. Alongside his girlfriend Astrid (Ferrera), he has created a dragon utopia away from a world that wants to kill the creatures. But when the sudden appearance of a female Light Fury – his dragon Toothless’ species – coincides with a new, powerful villain threatening their village, Hiccup, Toothless and the rest of their friends must seek out a hidden world thought only to exist in myth.
The good: In a world full of cookie cutter franchises where marketing and branding dictate that the plot must reset for the next installment, it’s a thrill to see writer-director Dean DeBlois get to tell a complete story – loosely based on Cressida Cowell’s book series – from beginning (Hiccup as a hapless kid) to end (Hiccup becoming a man and assuming his place as leader). It has been a joy to see the entire narrative unfold over the last nine years, particularly from a personal standpoint.
The original was technically the first movie my oldest daughter ever watched, even if she doesn’t remember. It hit DVD in 2010 when she was two weeks old, and I was excited to see she was transfixed by the bright colors. She went with me to the press screening for How to Train Your Dragon 2 in 2014 and she sat next to me earlier this week for the finale. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get emotional, both because of the story unfolding onscreen and because of the full-circle moment playing out in my relationship with my daughter.
As with previous installments, the animation is breathtakingly gorgeous – especially during the flying scenes. It helps when you have Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins on board as a visual consultant, I suppose. John Powell’s score adds even more emotional heft, fully kicking into gear during the film’s third act.
The voice cast remains stellar, particularly Baruchel, slightly modulating his performance to mark Hiccup’s continuing maturity. Ferrera and Blanchett are also terrific as the strong, influential women in Hiccup’s life, while Butler tugs on viewers’ heartstrings by returning as Hiccup’s father in a couple of flashbacks.
The not-so-good: Although Abraham’s vocal performance is impressive, the villain isn’t nearly as terrifying as Djimon Hounsou in the previous chapter. Also, the finale isn’t quite as epic as I was hoping for, particularly since the story has been building towards it for so long. However, it still ends up as a fitting – if much more intimate – conclusion to the series.
Grade: B+
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| Courtesy of Disney |
(Rated G. Available February 26.)
The cast: Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, and Samuel E. Wright.
What it’s about: In this animated classic, Princess Ariel, a curious and free-spirited mermaid, falls in love with the human Prince Eric and disobeys her overprotective father to learn more about him. Determined to follow her heart, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, trading her voice so she can be part of the human world. Now she must make Eric fall in love with her before it’s too late.
The good: One of the films (along with Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King) that spurred Disney’s animation renaissance, the studio celebrates its 30th anniversary by adding it to the Signature Collection. Often, when it comes to childhood movies, nostalgia clouds our judgment and tricks us into believing they were better than they were (looking at you, Space Jam), but that’s not the case at all with The Little Mermaid.
A fresh perspective reveals that the film, loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, remains as heartwarming, funny and exciting as it was back when it hit theaters in 1989. The story is fundamentally relatable – a teenager who doesn’t fit in and longing for a world where she does – and the story never treats her dream as something silly that she’ll eventually outgrow.
The outstanding voice cast evokes a time when filmmakers weren’t constrained by marketing concerns about casting “name” actors for the roles. Finally, the hand-drawn animation is gorgeous and makes me wish it was a model that could still survive in the current market of CGI overload.
The not-so-good: Honestly, nothing – aside from a handful of ill-advised characterization and design choices from a more culturally insensitive time. The Little Mermaid is as close to perfect as they come.
Special features: Sing-along mode; four new behind-the-scenes featurettes; DCapella music video; classic bonus features from previous releases.
Grade: A+
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| Courtesy of Disney |
(Rated PG for some action and rude humor. Available February 26.)
The cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson and Jack McBrayer.
What it’s about: A few years after Wreck-It Ralph, this charming sequel finds Ralph (Reilly) and Vanellope (Silverman) adjusting to their routine lives in the arcade. However, when the steering wheel controller on Vanellope’s game breaks, the friends must journey through the internet to find a replacement before the owner unplugs her world forever.
The good: Ralph Breaks the Internet joins the exclusive club of sequels that are just as good – if not better – than their predecessors. That’s because, instead of being stuffed with easy gags and Disney princess cameos, the film actually has something important to say about the web: how it can bring people together or just as easily tear them apart. Most importantly, the creative, funny and heartwarming screenplay (credited to Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon) focuses on character first and allows the jokes to spring from there.
Reilly and Silverman are outstanding as Ralph and Vanellope, quickly reestablishing the rapport that made Wreck-It Ralph such a joy to watch. Gadot is also terrific as a beautiful, dangerous driver from a Grand Theft Auto-style game who sees something special in Vanellope and encourages her to foster her talent.
The not-so-good: The movie’s commitment to character development is laudable, but it requires a significant amount of setup and payoff that results in a two-hour running time. I didn’t mind, but kids with short attention spans might. Also, the third act gets intense, which might upset some younger viewers.
Special features: Three behind-the-scenes featurettes; guide to Easter Eggs hidden within the film; five deleted scenes with director intros; and two music videos (“Zero” by Imagine Dragons and “In This Place” by Julia Michaels).
Grade: B+
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