‘How to Train Your Dragon’ First Reactions Praise Live-Action Remake

Universal and DreamWorks Pictures’ live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” remake has been unveiled to members of the press and theater owners at CinemaCon, and the first reactions are calling it “one of the best live-action” remakes thus far. CinemaCon attendees were advised they were seeing an unfinished version of the movie, but what they did see earned an enthusiastic applause when the credits rolled. The scene where Hiccup rides the dragon Toothless for the first time also generated mid-screening applause.

“‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is spectacular,” journalist Scott Menzel wrote on X. “A visually stunning and emotionally engaging retelling of the animated classic. Director Dean DeBlois recreates the magic of the original with lots of action, humor and heart. Mason Thames as Hiccup is the definition of perfect casting as is the majority of this cast… it’s a must see on the big screen and is a reminder to why audiences love going to the movies. This is going to be a massive hit.”

“The Movie Podcast” producer and host Daniel Baptista called the movie “a gorgeous reimagining of one of the most beloved animated films of all time. Full of heart, it takes everything that made the original so special and soars to new heights with breathtaking visuals and a spectacular story for a whole new generation.”

Film critic Tessa Smith wrote the live-action remake “has all the charm of the original enhanced into something I never thought it could accomplish. The cast is incredible & the dragons adorable. I lost count of how many times I cried. This is something truly fantastic.”

Gizmodo senior reporter Germain Lussier wrote on X: “The live-action movie captures the magic of the original in almost every way. All the big moments are there, all the heart and excitement too. Wonderful performances all around. My only gripe is the new stuff, while good and subtle,…