How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Is One Of The Rare Trilogy Cappers That Actually Works

      

      Making a third chapter in a popular franchise is by no means an easy task, especially in live-action filmmaking. Few filmmakers have pulled it off with most cases being the third installment in a series almost always falls below expectations due to intense pressure and expectations placed upon it. In the animation genre, the only trilogy that has remained consistent from start to finish has been Toy Story (It's debatable if a 4th one truly needed to be made but that's a conversation saved for that films review). Toy Story 3 up until now has been the standard of what a third film in an animated franchise should be which is good on it's own right while temporary closing the book on it's story. While last years Cars 3 was good, it had the burden of cleaning up the mess that was Cars 2. Kung Fu Panda 3 was a good finish to it's own series but it can be argued the second film wasn't that strong, same with Return Of Jafar before Aladdin: Prince Of Thieves gave the Aladdin story a decent finish. With the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, the series has remained consistent from start to finish with each film holding the same weight in terms of quality and adding to the storyline while outdoing the previous film. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World successfully meets the expectations placed upon it to deliver a worthy follow-up to the first two movies, while also giving the story the proper closure it needs to cement itself as one of the rare animated movie franchises that's near perfect. 

Watch the trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkcucKDrbOI

      The plot for How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World has the viking leader (voiced by Jay Baruchel). and his dragon ruling happily together. When a new female dragon appears at the same time as a serious threat from dragon poachers, both humans and dragons must travel to a mythic world for a fight to save their freedom. The storyline for the third film allows the audience to see where the characters have ended up since the events of the first two films while fulfilling both individual story arcs. Much like the first two films, The Hidden World retains the heart and charm of those films by introducing new challenges to the characters such as the viking leader Hiccup being pushed to confront his true feelings for Astrid (Voiced by America Ferrera). even going as far as considering marriage. Toothless also has a growing romance with the newer female dragon while dealing with the realization that he isn't the only Night Fury and must seek "The Hidden World," a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel (Voiced by F. Murray Abraham), finds it first. One of the films most recurring themes is that the main characters have grown up and retained this unique and diverse friendship that's lasted three films even with the main characters experiencing loss (Hiccup still having moments where he hears his father speaking to him voiced by Gerard Butler from the previous two films).

      Another prominent theme in the story is family which both Toothless and Hiccup have grown to become along with Astrid. Responsibility, accepting change, and saying goodbye also also driven home in this final chapter of the How To Train Your Dragon franchise. The main characters are self-aware that they are growing up and that someday they must part ways to meet each others destiny head on whether it's Toothless being with the other dragons or Hiccup handling his own responsibilities and becoming husband to Astrid. The film also tackles themes that have a message behind them regarding discrimination and acceptance in the form of societies views of the dragons, which is portrayed as being unjust and misunderstood. The film also has a strong animal rights message that states that poaching is wrong and selfish whether its dragons or animals in reality. War and genocide play important parts in the story as close friends and comrades are shown to join forces to battle a common enemy. With all the themes covered in the story, the films ultimate message is that part of growing up is allowing loved ones to pursue their own lives and destinies. The story is written so well that the film hits home to the audience being both emotionally affecting while driving home important messages to the young generation regarding friendships, bigotry, discrimination, acceptance, family, and basic hard lessons about growing up.

      As far as voice acting goes, Jay Baruchel does a terrific job playing Hiccup making his character feel older and more reflective on his journey with Toothless along with realizing what's in store for him in his future. America Ferrera does solid as Astrid, Hiccups closest human friend and love interest, one can truly see the love that she holds for Hiccup as she always chooses to stand by his side regardless of the situation. Other notable performances from F. Murray Abraham as the villain Grimmel and Gerard Butler in a limited but significant part as Hiccups father. The films animation is dazzling and should absolutely be seen on the biggest screen possible to get the full experience of seeing the dragon world in all it's glory. Each of the How To Train Your Dragon films manage to successfully push the boundaries of it's technology as the animation gets stronger with each movie with the score by John Powell remaining both cheerful and emotional. There aren't enough words to describe the beauty of the animation as it looks gorgeous and has a magical feel to it that'll enchant both young and older audiences with a powerful story to accompany it.

      Whereas Pixar has the Toy Story trilogy to represent their near perfection in regards to storytelling and visual presentation, Dreamworks now has a great trilogy of their own that they can place right beside it as examples to other franchises on how you properly begin, continue, and end a franchise. The Hidden World is both visually stunning to watch along with being an emotional journey as Hiccup and Toothless story officially comes to an end and does it finish on a note that's bittersweet and uplifting. A noteworthy compliment to the filmmakers of the series, is the growth of the main characters throughout the three films which is perfect. As great as the films visuals are, it's the heart that makes it shine above most trilogy cappers, the finale feels just perfect and not rushed. The third film along with it's predecessors is the perfect example of brilliant animation and well-crafted storytelling merging together flawlessly showing audiences that you can have both in terms of telling a story. The Hidden World is not only the best animated film of the year thus far but also feels like it will be the first serious contender for the Best Animated Film Oscar as it represents a beautiful tale of friendship, leadership, romance, courage, and doing what's right. For fans of the first two movies, this is the finale they've been waiting five years to see as the film not only closes the door on it's story but delivers what's unquestionably one of the best trilogy endings to a movie franchise ever both animated and live action.

Final Verdict:
SEE IT.