How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Wicked cool trilogy, can’t believe I put it off for this long. The leaps in improvement with the animation between films was incredible to watch. Then I realized there was a four and five year gap between the sequels. I can’t even comprehend that long of a wait; I was buzzing with excitement to hop right back into the world. But boy, do I wish I was there for the waiting. Mainly because the growth of the lead characters between the films was so well done—so organic, so fulfilling and warm and made sense. 462
They weren’t just the same characters by name in new situations; they were different characters with each movie, only wiser, stronger, more confident. A lot of animated films have their characters learn a lesson but are cut-and-paste caricatures with each follow-up. Neat to see a trilogy geared towards kids take that stuff seriously. I wish we had more, while wishing it ended differently. But I’ll never stop thinking of <PERSON>, <PERSON>, and <PERSON>’ story arcs. That’ll stay with me. You know the lot at Dreamworks Animation is doing something right when you feel like you’ve watched dear friends grow up before your eyes. 19