DRAGONS!

Our Heros

Have you ever noticed the scar on Hiccup’s chin in How to Train Your Dragon?  I did, but then I’ve watched the movie dozens of times.  Today I learned how he got it, and it’s a lovely, sweet addition to the saga.

Can you see Hiccup’s scar?

Yep, I finally saw How to Train Your Dragon 2 this afternoon.  It’s the first feature film  I’ve ever seen in 3-D.  Truthfully, I barely noticed.  Perhaps my eyes became desensitized to the 3-D after awhile.  Or perhaps I was so caught up in the story, I simply didn’t notice.

Two things I’ve loved about the DreamWorks Dragons television series:  the develpment of Hiccup and Stoick’s relationship; and Hiccup becoming a leader through his role as head of the “Berk Dragon Training Academy.”  It was wonderful to see these two elements carried through in HTTYD2.  Another delightful nod to the series?  Gobber making dragon saddles and performing dragon dentistry.

Comparisons between How to Train Your Dragon and its sequel abound.  It’s only natural, and I’ve done some comparing, too.  But the two are very different films. How to Train Your Dragon is about finding your way in the world, forging a new path  HTTYD2 is more a coming-of-age story, discovering your past and accepting responsibility.

Several reviewers have likened HTTYD2 to The Empire Strikes Back.  It certainly is darker that the first film, the stakes are higher, and the consequences much more dire.

HTTYD2 is extremely emotional—and heart-breaking.  I had read some of the spoilers before seeing the film.  In a way, I’m glad I did, because they were so shocking and unexpected, I can’t imagine what my reactions would have been had I not known about them.

Reunited!

You might think Hiccup finding his mother was a major spoiler.  Rumor had it that DreamWorks was upset the trailers included their meeting, but I’m sure it was intentional.  There was so much more to come, things I wouldn’t have imagined in a “children’s film.”

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, you might want to stop here.  On the other hand, if you don’t mind spoilers, read ahead.

101 Dalmaitons, no, Dragons, er, Followers!

Woohoo!  SciFi Chicks followers have broken the 3-digit mark!  Thank you!

In looking over which posts have received the most views, the popular shows seem to be Supernatural and everything in the How to Train Your Dragon universe—movies, television shows, and books.  Hey, those are my two favorite fandoms, too!

Remember this?

Let’s not forget the Impala!

Yet another deal

Test Drive

The ‘Nuts and Snotlout: sash says “DUMB”

Mac & Cheese & Astrid!

I wish I had some sort of contest or give away to celebrate, but I don’t.  So, how about this:

Your How to Train Your Dragon 2 Musings

Toothless & Cloudjumper want your opinions!

Have you seen How to Train Your Dragon 2?  (I’ve been waiting for the weekend rush to subside.)  If so, I’d love to hear what you think.  Please post your thoughts in the comments section.  You can do a complete review, link to a review you wrote or like, or just say whether you liked it or not.

Thanks, everyone!

[P.S.  Just as this post was published this, another follower joined the fun!  Welcome!  Whee!]

Thoughts on Dragons

The announcement of Cressida Cowell’s latest book, The Incomplete Book of Dragons (or The Complete Book of Dragons in the U.S. because we apparently are stupid) inspired this post yesterday a couple days ago. In describing the different covers, I remembered something I’ve been thinking about for a while—how the movie might possibly have influenced the books.

Book #9’s cover features Hiccup and his Windwalker

As every fan of the books knows, the movie is only loosely based on the books.  Hiccup is significantly older in movie, there is no Astrid (although there is Camakazi, whose dragon is named Stormfly), and Toothless is an entirely different type of dragon (as is Stormfly).

In the books, Toothless is a small Common or Garden dragon, much like the Terrible Terrors of the movie.  He’s also exceptionally noisy, self-centered, and disobedient.  (But in a lovable way.)

Hiccup’s riding dragon in the books is the Windwalker.  Personally, I think he’s based (at least partially) on the movie’s Night Fury Toothless.  He’s completely black and among the fastest flyers of the dragon species.  When Hiccup first picked him, the Windwalker was rather pathetic.  He was timid, appeared to have been abused, didn’t speak (book-Hiccup is able to speak Dragonese), and he was physically damaged.  Even now, six books later, he still has a bandaged foot.  (Well, except for his featured cover.)

CANCELLED!

Well crap.  Intelligence was cancelled in favor of another season of The Mentalist.  That makes yet another show down the drain.  My Current SciFi category is going to be significantly smaller next season.   Let’s look at the count.

Intelligence – CANCELLED!

Almost Human – CANCELLED!

Dracula – CANCELLED!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Renewed!

Freshmen programs:

Only 26 Days More Days…

Only 26 days until How to Train Your Dragon 2 is in theaters!

There’s been a ton of How to Train Your Dragon 2 news recently.  The movie was shown at the Cannes Film Festival this past week.  Even Toothless attended!

America Ferrera, Jay Baruchel, Djimon Hounsou with Toothless at Cannes.

Toothless attends a soiree in his honor.

Yesterday Jay Baruchel (Hiccup) tweeted what an honor (he spelled it “honour” because he’s Canadian) it was to have been part of the event.  When Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Fishlegs) asked how it went, Jay said “It fucking destroyed!”  adding the film received a 5-10 minute standing ovation!

IMDB has video interviews with the stars, director, producer, and several other people involved with the film, including my beloved John Powell,who—because it can’t be said enough—was robbed of an Oscar for film score!  John informs us that bagpipes are the only instrument (that he’s aware of) created to threaten, i.e., as a signal of war, which is why they’re so loud.

Speaking of music, three songs from the movie’s new soundtrack have been released, as well as a couple new clips.  Berk’s Grapevine has a post that, in addition to those interviews mentioned above, has two new clips from the movie.  I dare you not to cry at the first one!

How to Train Your Dragon 2 opens June 13th, a week before my birthday.  I’ve already informed my friends that my birthday present be to see the movie in IMAX 3D.  (I’m ok with waiting a week to let the young ‘uns—and teenagers—have their go with it.)

I could not possibly love the original How to Train Your Dragon more than I already do.  Ditto for the soundtrack.  But then, if you follow me, you know of my love for dragons, and especially this wonderful Night Fury.

Defenders of Berk: Cast Out (Both Parts)

I’m a little sad.  DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders of Berk is over.  No more new Toothless cuteness for awhile.  But “Cast Out” was excellent and a great way to bow out.

The citizens of Berk come under attack from both the Screaming Death (the most frightful dragon the series has produced) and Dagur the Deranged.  I guess we should be thankful that Alvin the Treacherous died at mid-season, or he’d be adding to the chaos.

Threat #1: the Screaming Death

Threat #2: Dagur the Deranged

Part 1 (219)

Tuffnut prepares to redecorate Snotlout’s stall.

During a training exercise, Snotlout disobeys orders (again), knocking Astrid unconscious and nearly killing her.  Hiccup grounds him.  Not one to take orders, Snotlout flies off with his dragon Hookfang to a small deserted isle—which he immediately names Snotland.

But is it deserted?  Snotlout spies a wrecked Outcast ship.  (I wish I knew how to capture screen shots, because there’s a lovely shot of Snotlout and Hookfang checking out the wreckage, with the sun low in the sky, highlighting the billowy clouds.  There’s a reason this series won an Emmy for animation!)

Bing! Bam! Lloyd! Er, Darren?

Part 1 of the two-part DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders of Berk season finale airs next week.  In preparation, we got a hilarious, silly, and (yes) touching episode in “Bing! Bam! Boom!”

Cute, colorful, and, in this case, cacophonous.

Hiccup and Stoick discover three young Thunderdrum dragons stranded on top of a sea stacks.  (Don’t know what a sea stack is?  Check out Google images.)  Ok, stranded might not be the right word, because the trio follow the Vikings back to Berk.

If you’ve not seen the short The Gift of the Night Fury (which aired at Christmas on Fox and is available on Netflix), baby dragons are quite colorful, and these are no exception.  Even Stoick calls them “cute.”  However, as the Dragon Manual tells us, the Thunderdrum  produces a “concussive sound that can kill a man at close range.”  Although the roar of these three young ‘uns isn’t fatal, it’s loud enough to wreak havoc on the island.

Thunderdrums roar, the twins revel, and normal people cover their ears.

Stoick allows Hiccup and the Dragon Academy to try to train the young Thunderdrums, but it turns out to be quite a difficult task.  The first step in training a dragon is to name it, and the twins promptly christen Bing, Bam, and… Lloyd.  That’s Tuffnut for you.  When the others tell him he’s got it wrong, he goes with… Darin.  (T.J. Miller as Tuffnut is especially amusing in this episode.)

In case you don’t remember (or have never watched—shame on you!), last season Stoick bonded with a Thunderdrum which he trained to ride and named Thornado.  Thornado takes quite a shine to the young dragons, and they to him.  In fact, Thornado seems to be the only authority Bing, Bam, and Boom recognize.

The Best Little Show You’re Not Watching

(and the other “D” show)

Terrible Terrors come in all sorts of colors.

That best little show would be DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders of Berk.  The “other D” is Dracula.  Let’s dispense with the latter first.

Where Was I?

Ok, the Doctor Who-athon is over.  Now I’m just waiting for the Christmas special.  What with that and getting ready for the holidays, I’ve neglected the site and the shows.  What have I missed?

Almost Human:  Only two episodes, “The Bends,” and “Blood Brothers.”  And one contained full-frontal nudity!  (Funny how that’s the main thing I remember.)

Sleepy Hollow:   Oh good, just “The Golem.”  That’s not too bad.

Agents of SHIELD:  Again, only one, “The Bridge.”  It’s nice when a series gets a week off.  Thank you, ABC.

Supernatural:  I’m up to date!  But then, “Holy Terror” was so incredible, it had to be discussed immediately.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland:  Whoa!  I’ve really been neglectful here.  “Heart of Stone” received only a small Quick Take.  I still have “Who’s Alice,” “Bad Blood,” and “Home” to go.

And let’s not forget Defenders of Berk!  I’m even further behind with it than with Once … in Wonderland.  But then, I kind of planned that.

Guess I better get crackin’!  The winter hiatus doesn’t last forever.

It’s Going to Be a Long Weekend of Post Writing

The 10th Doctor, TARDIS & sonic screwdriver, but you knew that already.

Sorry, no recaps for this week—yet.  I’ve been on a Doctor Who kick.  OnDemand has been featuring old episodes of the new Doctors.  Once I started watching, I just couldn’t pull myself away until last night.

However, for all my fascination with the program, I apparently have not reached Whovian status.  Why?  Because I wasn’t totally thrilled with “The Day of the Doctor,” the 50th anniversary episode.  It was good, but it didn’t move me as much as it did true fans.  Perhaps it’s because I haven’t watched the episodes in order, or spent seven years experiencing the Doctor’s regret and guilt over the destruction of his own people.  Or maybe it’s because Billy Piper was in it and I’m not a big fan of Rose.

The 11th Doctor, Amy Pond (one of my favorites). And the TARDIS of course.

Since last weekend, I have watched some of the Matt Smith episodes, and have enjoyed them quite a bit.  But I’ve had a fascination with David Tennant for awhile now, so naturally those with the 10th Doctor are my favorites (notwithstanding the Rose year).

And in case you didn’t know, David Tennant has a long association with the How to Train Your Dragon universe.  He’s read all the books for audio editions except the first one, and he had a teeny-tiny part in the movie.  He’s not listed in the credits for How to Train Your Dragon 2, but he has voiced the character of Spitelout, Snotlout’s father (movie and television versions) in two episodes of DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk (season 1) and Defenders of Berk (season 2).  How awesome is that?!?

Thoughts on Almost Human (good), Supernatural (not so good), Sleepy Hollow (which I haven’t fully watched), and Agents of SHIELD (which I haven’t watched at all), will be forthcoming after tomorrow.

Because tomorrow is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which will debut a new balloon of Toothless the Night Fury!  You think I’m silly for my love of Toothless?  Check this out!  (Of course I’m probably a generation or more older than other fans, but it keeps me young at heart).

And just because I’m filled with Toothless love, here are a few DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk user pics I created for my LiveJournal account.

Toothless practices his smile.

Hiccup takes Stoick for a ride.

Don’t forget the fury in Night Fury.

Hiccup must leave Toothless behind.*

*Don’t worry, Hiccup returns shortly thereafter.