How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

(In French, In Theaters, March 2019) It took more time than everyone else, but I’m finally onboard the How to Train Your Dragon series as of its third instalment The Hidden World. While the first two didn’t make much of an impression one way or the other, this third movie shakes things up, but also benefits from the accumulated character development in the series so far. There’s a lot to like in the way the film progresses, starting with an early decision to abandon the setting of the series so far. Our protagonist has grown into more or less a hero (albeit with still some room to grow) and this film finally addresses the vexing question of whether he owns his dragon or what. The titular hidden world is visually worth the ticket by itself, and the ending propels the story to another generation, while effectively closing off this chapter. The villain is effective, the characters have grown more likable and the film manages an effective dissolution to the series’ central relationship, while creating others. On a technical level, the quality of the film is among the best in the business, from the animation to the cinematography and the set design. Still, I’m sure that having my daughter by my side to appreciate the story also helped in getting immersed in The Hidden World and what it was saying.