How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

I always thought the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was an odd one to ask kids, even those heading off to college; I certainly had no idea. First it was a dragon trainer, then a pastor, then an engineer, later a radio DJ, and now 16 years into my HR systems career I still search for the answer to that ever-evasive question.  That’s why I find myself drawn to the animated movies because I know when I walk in with my popcorn and drink for the next 100 minutes, I get to be a kid again. Plus this one is about dragon trainers!

It would help to see at least the first two movies in the How to Train Your Dragon series before enjoying The Hidden World, but enough nods to what has happened in the story thus far exist in this film to enjoy it as a stand-alone. If you do not know about the first two films, stop now and go treat yourself to a double feature. This will still be on the internet when you come back.

A lot has happened to Hiccup and his fellow Vikings from Berk over two movies, a few shorts and a TV Series. But for what we assume to be the final installment of the franchise, Hiccup seems just as lost as I sitting down in the theater on this particular afternoon. He has gone from Son of the Chief, to an engineer, to a dragon tamer, mother searcher, and now: leader of this lot of dragon-loving Vikings. Sure he has his friends Eret, Snoutlout, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Fishlegs and his soon to be wife Astrid by his side, even good ‘ole Gobber is still dishing out advice. But the one friend, the one relationship he relies on most, is that of his trusted dragon Toothless. We begin by catching up with the Riders of Berk as they face an overpopulation crisis of dragons and humans and need a plan for what to do about their home. Hiccup describes a place called the Hidden World where only dragons can live and that they should go there to live in peace together.

But this quest is put on the back burner as Toothless discovers that he is not the only night fury left in this world, and this one is a girl – a light fury! Now before you bail on both this movie and this review thinking it’s a mushy-gushy end to the saga – oh contrair! There is the thrill of the hunt in the air.  The infamous dragon hunter Grimmel the Grisley is on the island to take out the last living night fury because his relationship with night furies started off on a sour note.  Grimmel has spent his entire life killing every single night fury in the world with the exception of one. Now Toothless is within his reach because Hiccup is not the only one who has a relationship with dragons. The question becomes will this light fury do her master’s biddings, or will she be as enamored with this goofy black scaly dragon we have all grown to love?

See, life is defined by relationships. The influences those relationships have on your life truly shape who you will be when you grow up.  Hiccup may have lost his mother, but the relationship he has with his dad gives him the courage to go on no matter the odds. He then finds his mother but loses his father, giving him the strength to be a leader of the people, and Hiccup has Toothless, who gives him the courage to be larger than life. But when Grimmel captures Toothless, Hiccup faces the question of what does he want to be, and can he be that without Toothless. Turns out it is the relationship with Astrid that turns Hiccup into the Chief he was always meant to be. In the end, the relationship between humans and dragons must come to an end and so does the tale of Hiccup and Toothless.

We can’t talk much about the actual Hidden World because it is hidden for a reason but if you have the ability to see this film in 3-D or Dolby Atmos / AMC Prime, I highly recommend it. It is a breathtaking sight to see and there is nothing more humbling and honoring than the mighty roar of a dragon. Amazing dragon designs, beautiful flying sequences, and humor that will make even Grimmel laugh at times, this third installment is a stunning movie for all to enjoy. Even if the story is a little weak, simple, and mostly predictable, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World has you mesmerized watching the dragons dance, fight, play, and delight.

As I watched the final scenes float across the open sky of possibility, I finally know what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be a better human; one that puts the thoughts of others first whether human or dragon, rather than searching selfishly for that next big thing.  In the end, I know that I will be rewarded for doing just that.