Why How to Train Your Dragon is an Amazing Series (Part 2)

Hello! 

A few months ago, I posted “What Makes How to Train Your Dragon Such a Great Movie?” It turned into a very long process of comparing the movie series, so I decided to split it into two parts. Today, I’m back with Part 2, mostly delving into the third movie and the absolutely amazing soundtrack. 

I first watched the third and final installment of HTTYD with my cousins at our local movie theater. I went in there having a pretty hazy memory of the first and second movie, but still loved it. I cry over lots of books and movies, and I most definitely cried over this movie. 

First of all, the animation was awesome! Even though I know barely anything about animation, it looked very realistic, especially when we watched it on the big screen at the movie theater. 

I just love the opening to all of these movies. They follow the same pattern of narration and exposition, and I absolutely adored the opening in this movie. It showed how Berk had changed. The bright buildings, thousands of dragons, and orderly chaos. 

The villain of Grimmel was pretty lame. He was so similar to the villain in the second movie, which was similar to the villain in the first movie. Here we are with another creepy guy who controls dragons against their will. 

The witty humor in the first movie wasn’t in this one either. It was slightly more funny than the second movie, but still wasn’t as sarcastic and witty as the first movie. 

This movie had some pretty deep themes and ideas for it technically being a kids’ movie, but I think that’s a good thing. I loved the themes of letting go and that nothing lasts forever. The ending was so bittersweet and emotional, and I broke down crying the first few times I watched it. 

The epilogue

I’ve heard lots of people say that the epilogue kind of undermines the original ending, but I think it didn’t.  (It was at this point that I was bawling) It gave some closure to Hiccup and Astrid, seeing them exploring with their kids. And when Toothless and his family came, It provided one last “hurrah” for them.

I had a friend come up with a theory. She said that the reason they were flying with the kids was to show the kids that if they could work towards getting humanity to be less greedy and power hungry, then this is what the result of that could be. 

I also think that after their last ride, they had to go their separate ways. If they didn’t, I do think that would undermine the ending. But Hiccup and Toothless parting their separate ways helped the movie to flow into the real world. The real world where dragons are (sadly) not real. 

The music: 

I’m a music nerd, and HTTYD’s score is amazing! (It’s up there with Pirates of the Caribbean, guys.) I listen to it very often, and I’ve finally gotten some HTTYD piano music! 

In the first, second, and a little bit of the third movie, we hear many of the same themes repeat. The score is very structured, with different themes and instruments for different characters and moods. (This video HERE explains this really well) 

In the second movie, we hear a lot of the same themes as the first. There are a few new ones, such as for Valka and Stoik, and Drago’s army. But other than that, there are many of the same themes and ideas. 

Weirdly, I didn’t like the music for the third movie as much as I did for the first two. It just felt less structured, although I could pick out new themes for characters. It might be because we heard less of the same themes that were in the other movies, but I honestly have no idea what it is about this score that makes me not like it as much.

But the music is also what helped me cry during the ending.  Just go and listen to the last few songs of the soundtrack. They are so emotional and beautiful! And my favorite song for the whole movie’s soundtrack is the last one, which I’m pretty sure it’s titled Hidden World Suite. It gives the most epic and bittersweet ending, bringing back the musical themes from the first movie, and it’s just amazing 

How to Train Your Dragon is such a beloved movie series, and even though it’s sad that the series is over, I think that’s a good thing. Everything has to end eventually, and too often, movie series and TV shows go on and on until the characters and worlds aren’t of as high quality in the first one. So, with a bittersweet moment, hopefully backed up with some epic music, I conclude this mini series. 

What do you like about HTTYD? What are your thoughts on the movies, and how they differ from each other? Until next time! 

-Hannah