How to Train Your Dragon: A Faithful Live‑Action Remake That Soars Visually, But Falls Short of Its Heart

How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Dean DeBlois directs this 2025 live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, remaking his own 2010 animated masterpiece with Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler reprising Stoick. Though the story remains faithful, the execution provokes mixed reactions—visually stunning yet emotionally muted.

What Works

Impressive Visual Design & VFX

The dragons—especially Toothless—are rendered with impressive detail and expressive animation. Flying sequences and Berk’s landscapes deliver immersive aerial thrills, even if some CGI backgrounds betray their artificiality. 

Emotional Touchstones Retained

The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless remains the emotional core. Thames captures Hiccup’s quiet courage, while Butler lends gravitas and warmth to Stoick. The iconic score by John Powell further elevates the familiar moments to feeling. 

Thoughtful Adaptation by the Original Creator

DeBlois brings more depth to Astrid, giving her greater agency. He also maintains respect for the source material while expanding visual scope, making it a sincere tribute rather than a cynical remake. 

What Falls Short

Overly Safe & Predictable

The film retreads the original so closely—including many shots and dialogue verbatim—that fans may feel it adds little new. For those familiar with the animated version, it plays like an extended scene-by-scene recreation.

Pacing & Narrative Bloat

At 125 minutes, it's nearly half an hour longer than the animated film. Critics note the added training and social scenes slow the momentum and undermine the taut storytelling of the original.

Emotional Diminishment Without Depth

While visually grand, the film often reads as sterile. The CGI, though detailed, lacks the emotional expressiveness of animation. Performances—including Astrid and Gobber—feel subdued or stiff, and darker visuals give the film a blunt tone. 

Reception Snapshot

Praise:

Fans and critics highlight its box office success and warm emotional core. On Rotten Tomatoes, it's certified fresh with high audience scores. Many recommend it as a family-friendly adventure. 

Criticism:

Others lament the remake’s emotional flatness and lifeless tone, with outlets like The Guardian calling it “soulless” and Roger Ebert pointing out that it “doesn’t do a single thing better than the original.” 

Fan Sentiment (Reddit):

“Shot for shot, line for line … this looks truly lazy and shitty … Just a worse version of the animated masterpiece…” 

Final Verdict

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a technically accomplished and well-meaning remake—laden with dazzling visuals, an emotionally resonant score, and committed performances. But its slavish fidelity and slow pacing make it feel unnecessary. For newcomers, it’s a captivating adventure. For fans of the original, it may feel like nostalgia repackaged rather than reimagined.

Watch it if you're seeking family-friendly fantasy with strong visual storytelling—but stick with the animated original if you're chasing the spark.