Elizabeth Payet

Was definitely worried that this would flop, but wow was I so wrong. Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerald Butler’s chemistry throughout the movie was so off the charts I couldn’t believe it. The Father-Son Duo expresses so much pain as Mason so amazingly demonstrates just how painful it is to feel like you’re not living up to your parent’s expectations, and Gerald Butler managed to steal the movie with just a single tear that expresses more than I thought was physically possible. Nico Parker could also not have been a better pick, as she elevates Astrid not to just the main character’s love interest, but a clear independent character that still meshes so well with Hiccup’s sincerity. There isn’t a single weak actor through this movie either, teen or not. Every single one proved why they were casted in just the first few minutes, and never disappointed. If you’re a fan of the shows too (RTTE in particular), this will not disappoint as their characterization is added in as well. Amazing sets and attention to detail, amazing new lines (I don’t know why everyone says this is a word for word remake, cause it’s not, it’s a scene for scene remake with the original lines and LOTS of new dialogue that really adds so much sincerity and personality). Also, really good side representation. I’m not a fan when a movie is clearly only looking for brownie points with inclusivity but thinks that said representation is then a good stand in for personality or culture (“yay we have a black character that does nothing but stand there, aren’t you grateful how inclusive we are”), but this movie actually cares and takes the time to give context in a way that feels so natural and adds to Viking culture, even though they’re not in there for long. I think my only real complaint is that the music probably should have been rescored, I definitely think Powell was held back by the expectation that he had to keep to the original soundtrack but it just doesn’t always work as well with this movie since you can hear some notes that get cut. There are a few beats (dialogue wise) missing as well, but rarely and was easily made up for.