How to Train Your Dragon -- Review

We always seem to go through phases when it comes to popular genres and topics of entertainment.  We have the year of 3D (which I'm still debating as to whether I should actually be excited or not), the year of remakes (that has become YEARS and I wish would seriously end), the year of cheapquels/sequels (which some films have promise and others are straight to DVD quality), and of course the year of the "underdog"/geek(which is by far my favorite).  3 months into 2010 and I already have two favorite films.  I recently noticed that I seem to have a pattern this year and am beginning to fall harder and harder for the "geek", and although one is a much older sense of humor, I also find myself falling harder and harder for Jay Baruchel.  He went from playing a "hard 5" and winning the heart of a "hard 10" to being a very un-viking like viking.  How to Train Your Dragon is based on the characters from a children's series by British author Cressida Cowell which following the adorable Hiccup and Toothless. This film, however paints a very different picture of Toothless in comparison to the children's novel. Regardless, after watching the film I wanted to go out and find some way of adopt Toothless for myself.

How to Train Your Dragon is an adorable family film that is truly a joy for kids of all ages.  From start to finish everyone in the theaters cheered and gasped as Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) discovered the truth behind the dragons and his discovery of friendship with Toothless.  I will confess there were several scenes where I became so wrapped up in the story that I even teared up for the dragons. and his viking companion.  The story of friendship, courage, and determination is one that everyone can relate to no matter your age, or personal goals in life.  It is far more than a story of "don't judge a book by its cover", but a true testament to going out and learning the truth for yourself so you can make an educated decision on whatever you may encounter in life.  Even the relationship between Hiccup and his father Stoick (voiced by Gerald Butler) is relate-able to the real world.

Dreamworks has created an amazing family friendly film that touches the heart of its viewers all the way down to the deepest darkest corner, warming even a bully's heart.  With voice talents of America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) as Hiccup's love interest Astrid, Kristen Wiig(Extract and Whip It) as the female of the twin duo Tuffnut and T.J. Miller(Extract and She's Out of My League) as her male counterpart Ruffnut, Craig Ferguson as the "handy" Gobber, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Bad-Ass,  Role Models and Superbad) as Fishlegs, and Jonah Hill (Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Superbad) as the "tough" Snotlout you are sure to laugh with their outstanding comedic skills.  The names are enough to send any kid into a fit of giggles, but when you get the characters together on screen, competing for the ultimate bragging right and the chance to kill a dragon in front of the whole village, it's obvious why Dreamworks would take on such an amazing story.  The characters are fun, and the dragons will make even the macho-ist of men  turn a little soft around the edges.  As for the dragons, Toothless is the ultimate family pet.  Everyone will walk out of the theater wanting one of their own.  Even for a dragon that can breath fire, and almost destroy a village, his puppy dog eyes and lovable demeanor will push you right over the edge.

How to Train Your Dragon is a film for kids of all ages who are looking for a good time at the theater this weekend.  You will laugh, you will cry, and you will give three cheers for Hiccup and Toothless.  So if you are looking for a film to catch this weekend, take your kids or kid brother/sister or husband/wife or whomever and check out this film.  You will not be disappointed. I give this film a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

How to Train Your Dragon -- Olympic Sports Spots
Snowboarding

 

Ski Jump

Speed Skating

Bobsled

Medal Ceremony

Trailer

Get Him to the Greek -- Review

I never thought a film could make me feel like such a sell out.  Truth is, I had a hard enough time trying to sit through the film that started it all, but now with the sequel soon hitting theaters I am dumbfounded as to why I even thought Aldus Snow could redeem himself.  Get Him to the Greek feels like a cheap knock off in comparison to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and yet with all of the "names" in the film I can't believe a story like this could even be made.  Don't get me wrong, I love Russell brand.  I love his stand-up and I love what he did with the VMAs as the host two years in a row.  My problem with this film is that it was just straight up sell out.  But I can be sure on what end is the cause.

Is it for the fact that "Diddy" is involve?  Is it because MTV Networks has branded itself all over the film?  Is it because I was the only person in the theater that actually laughed when Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) made a cameo appearance during a British bar scene and Jonah Hill pulled out a Harry Potter joke, which sadly was the funniest joke in the entire film.  Unfortunately there was so much wrong with the film that I feel like it just sold itself out to be the biggest joke in the world.  From the opening scenes of "mockumentary", with TMZ, tabloid, and other popular forms of entertainment news covering the rise and fall of the "rock star" we would soon be following.  With clips of MTV News interviews shot in the building and straight through to the "happy ending" with a Vh1 Storytellers, I cannot stop myself from questioning who owed who a favor.  Is it a desperate ploy to try and rake in bucks off a film that "has potential"?  And I don't care if Diddy is just playing himself, had I known he was a part of the project prior to the screening I would not have wasted my time, no matter how much I enjoy watching Brand make a complete fool of himself on screen.  (Russell I am sorry for that comment but I cannot help it in this instance.).

If you really want to watch a "has been rocker story" stay home and watch the real thing for free.  Get Him To The Greek is a complete waist of time and money.  I give this flick a 1 out of 5.