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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman, May 15, 2019

Dragon romance, a dangerous villain, mass migration, and inescapable change are all at the heart of, the third and supposedly final film in the hugely successful digitally animated franchise based on the book series written by Cressida Cowell. This final stop brings an emotional and satisfying, if not somewhat predictable, close to the story of a young Viking boy named Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and his one-of-a-kind Night Fury dragon, Toothless. The picture both progresses the series while remaining true to its structure and style, finding perfect balance amongst action, humor, and heart."One day you are going to pick a fight you can't win," Hiccup is told after another risky raid on dragon trappers. Berk's new leader has created a home where humans and dragons live in harmony and where all are made to feel safe and welcome. But a new villain named Grimmel (voiced by F. Murray Abraham), the man responsible for all but wiping out the Night Fury species, has his eyes on Hiccup's own dragon, Toothless, and Berk itself. Grimmel makes use of a rare Light Fury dragon to lure Toothless to his demise. But Hiccup foils the plan and sparks a war in the process. As Berk's leader, it is his decision for the citizens and dragons to flee to safety and search for the mystical "Hidden World," a supposed safe haven that obsessed his father for many years.The film focuses on positive, if not difficult, messages of life progression and letting go. The film finds its soul in the passage of both literal and figurative time. Hiccup and Toothless grow up rather fast in the movie, thrust forward by circumstance but also an evolving maturation and understanding of self and the world in which they live. Hiccup is forced to grow as a leader when a great danger threatens Berk's way of life. Astrid (voiced by America Ferrera) is his rock, and it is her devotion to him, admittance of how she has grown better for having him in his life, that gives him the confidence to boldly make the right decisions for his people as well as for his dragon Toothless, who himself discovers a new purpose in life when he meets the Light Fury with whom he falls head over heels in love. Both personal growth and the overhanging threat of danger seem destined to draw the dragon and its rider apart, but the question is whether their separation will be on their own terms or through circumstances beyond their control.The picture's conclusion is not risky or unsurprising and its villain is not particularly memorable. But the film's isn't about dramatic surprise and it is certainly not about overshadowing its established characters with a scene-stealing bad guy. Grimmel is little more than plot propellant to set the emotional charges in motion and provide a framework for the character growth. F. Murray Abraham delivers a fine voice performance, understanding the character's role in the film and playing Grimmel up as an opposite reflection of Hiccup and with mild comedic undertones, but not to the point that the character overwhelms the movie. He feels like a darker and smarter take on Gargamel , which fits the character's persona and villainy quite nicely. The main voice cast, returning from the previous films, falls right into character and handles humor, heart, and purpose with equal verbal stability and humanity.