Review: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Sophie Hicks praises the final installment of the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy

Sophie Hicks
4th March 2019
Image: Flickr, Festival Annecy

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World concluded the HTTYD trilogy, but was the ending satisfactory? HTTYD is without a doubt the best series of films that Dreamworks has ever made, and whilst I am sad to see it conclude, I am so relieved they didn’t make it like Shrek with endless sequels to serve as a cash cow. Honestly, the final film was probably my least favourite, but that doesn’t mean it still wasn’t excellent.

I think the best part about this series is how attached you become to Hiccup and Toothless.

Spoilers ahead! Personally, I already knew that the theme of the final instalment was knowing when to let go, so I was fully prepared to cry my eyes out. Oh boy did I cry. I think the best part about this series is how attached you become to Hiccup and Toothless, and how well Dreamworks explores their relationship. Whilst I did sigh at the cliché of finding a female Light Fury, honestly it felt fitting. Toothless was always regarded as the last of his kind, so to end the series with him finding a partner and not being lonely was really satisfying. I do think that a bit much of the film focused on Toothless trying to impress the female for comedic effects, but I also realised that the primary demographic for these films are children who would enjoy the sequences of cute dragons being funny.

My only real complaint was that the villain was a bit weak, with the narrative ending quite abruptly. However, I understand why, because they wanted to focus on the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, eventually resulting in Hiccup letting Toothless free alongside the other dragons, so that they could live their lives in the hidden world rather than constantly in danger of being hunted. I really enjoyed this ending as the Isle of Berk grew with the characters; hunting dragons to protecting dragons, and finally knowing what is best for them and letting them go. I honestly cried so much at the last ten minutes because the ending was so perfect. I thought it was a really nice touch to show future Hiccup and Astrid, now with their children, reuniting with Toothless and his dragon babies. Instead of being a bittersweet ending, it filled the resolution with hope that they eventually reunited in the future. I will severely miss this series, and I hope Dreamworks has realised their potential.

AUTHOR: Sophie Hicks
Former TV Sub-Editor for The Courier and BA Media Communication and Cultural Studies graduate

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