When the first How to Train Your Dragon came to the big screen in 2010, it was not just Hiccup that soared. The audience members’ heart soared into the skies of Berk as well, and the franchise as a whole became a global phenomena that spanned for the next decade. Now, the tale of Hiccup and Toothless hit the theaters once again, but this time in live-action form. And now that the franchise is back in the spotlight again, it’s time to ask: where did the story begin? The answer is Cressida Cowell’s original book series.
When the How to Train Your Dragon live-action film was first announced, audiences were divided. Many fans cheered, excited to return to Berk. Many feared the film would be a soulless cash grab preying on nostalgia. To others, it’s just an advertisement for the upcoming theme park. Given the behind-the-scenes casting news surrounding the film and Hollywood’s tendencies to recycle old tales, this fear was justified.
Regardless, diehard fans of the original film all agreed that the live-action film was crucial to bring the franchise back into the spotlight. It was one of the few times that the franchise was in the spotlight with an anticipated film. Given that the last major installment of the series was nearly half a decade ago, it all depended on the new live-action to bring a second wind to this franchise.
The old tale as a new film: what changed?
After watching the new How to Train Your Dragon live-action film, the audience seems to believe that the live-action remains extremely loyal to its animated source. Dean Deblois and John Powell, the director and the composer of both films, clearly know what caught fans’ hearts. Working together, they reenacted once again the magic of Berk on the big screen a decade and a half later.
Hard-core fans of the original film think of this as a blessing. Many of their fears were baseless, and the filmmakers brought back the magic of the original films to the audience. From the very same track that plays when Hiccup and Astrid first take flight, all the way down to small movements of the characters on screen, the new film captures the original film’s charm masterfully in the form of a live-action film. The film’s greatest praises are those who say the experience brought a tear to their eyes from all the nostalgia.
But not everyone is sold. Many people are also questioning why this remake exists if the exact tale is being told. They mostly bring up the missed opportunities, and perhaps even improving the original series’s issues. Deeper dives into the Viking lore, or fleshing out the side characters would have challenged the potential of this franchise even more. Many go to extreme degrees, saying that the film is just like any other live-action film that failed before: a lazy cash grab to sell on nostalgia.
Meet the original Hiccup that lies in the pages
Book Hiccup is almost nothing like the movie Hiccup. Sure, just like his live-action counterpart, he is a scrawny, socially awkward chief’s son, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike movie Hiccup, who by the second movie soars into Berk’s skies with his mighty Night Fury and fire sword, book Hiccup remains as a scrawny awkward kid throughout the entire saga. It is not his leadership or dragon-riding skills that save him, but rather witty intelligence and quick thinking.
Toothless himself could not be more different as well. In the movies, he is a brave, mighty Nightfury that carries Hiccup on his back. And what makes him charming is that despite his grandness, he still has a whimsical and cute side to him. However, in the books, he is just a small common garden dragon (or what the movies call a Terrible Terror) who whines for extra oysters. He’s whiny, shy, and quite frankly, a coward despite his few moments of bravery.
Cowell’s storytelling is also very distinct from the movies. She fills the pages with chaotic, whimsical illustrations, with distinct texts and various prose to elevate the atmosphere. Cowell writes pages upon pages in different fonts and with varying rhyme schemes, making the book come off as more of a Dr. Seuss-style tale for elementary students rather than a traditional fantasy book like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. And all these elements work in harmony to make the story almost like an epic poem: an Iliad for children.
Most importantly, Cowell doesn’t shy away from the Viking lore that both films seem to almost skim through. She dives into ancient feuds between tribes that span throughout the continent, and makes it center stage. Snoutlout, Fishlegs, and other side characters are fleshed out even more, making Berk feel more alive than both films ever did.
Hollywood vs the pages – How To Train Your Dragon
When bringing forth a story from the pages into the book screen, the process always becomes a negotiation between the original’s charm and studio expectations. Corporate studios (especially Hollywood) expect what they think kids want: clean morals, familiar beats, and charming characters. However, by doing so, sometimes they miss the point of the original.
This, to a degree, does apply to Cowell’s books, though not too extreme. Her unique style of storytelling, and often dark, deep moments that question the morals of generational hatred, may not fit the taste of Hollywood producers. DreamWorks’ original animated film was amazing in its own way. It has inspiring scores, epic flying sequences, and a heroic journey: truly a cornerstone of animation to be respected. But it was no Cowell.
@ign The live-action How to Train Your Dragon recreates this iconic scene almost EXACLTY. #howtotrainyourdragon #httyd #animation #ignlive ♬ original sound – IGN Entertainment
This tension between the book’s frenzied nature and both films’ polished stories reflects a broader conversation about children’s media. Should these bigger, more mainstream films challenge children’s minds as the books did? What elements from the original should adaptations keep: its niche yet charming voice, or just its broad plot? Even though the new How to Train Your Dragon live-action film failed to challenge this question with its beat-by-beat remake, we hope that the next installment will challenge this foundation.
And for those who want to answer these questions for themselves, now is never a more perfect opportunity. To those who just walked out of the theater, the books are waiting, and they’re very much their own adventure.
