))
Dragon Tales: When Animation Comes to Life (Or Should It?)
Manage episode 490011078 series 3284227
Content provided by The Couch Critic. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The Couch Critic or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Dragons soar off the screen in this week's Cinema Saturday as I offer a deep-dive comparison between the animated How to Train Your Dragon and its brand-new live-action remake. The nostalgia-filled animated classic still holds up with its perfect blend of adventure and heart, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars despite not being as kid-friendly as advertised. Those scary moments and complex dialogue might challenge the youngest viewers, but the film's imaginative world-building remains impressive.
The surprise element came when my wife and I caught the live-action adaptation starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler. While visually stunning with its realistic dragons and breathtaking flight sequences, the remake raises questions about Hollywood's remake culture. Why recreate something almost shot-for-shot and word-for-word? The controversial casting of Astrid – changing her from a blonde Viking to an African-American character with dreadlocks – particularly stands out when every other character closely resembles their animated counterpart. The film attempts to explain this with a new "multiple tribes" backstory, but the inconsistency feels jarring against the otherwise faithful recreation.
The CGI dragons dazzle throughout most scenes, with Toothless coming to life in a way that honors his animated predecessor. However, as my wife pointed out, some moments feel "super cheesy, super green screeny," temporarily breaking the immersion. Despite these criticisms, the film delivers an entertaining experience that scores 3.5 out of 5 stars from me and 4 stars from my wife. Looking ahead, I'll be reviewing Christmas with the Kranks with Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen next week, followed by the wildly contrasting double feature of Elio and 28 Years Later. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and remember to join us where every movie gets its close-up on Cinema Saturdays!
Chapters
1. Cinema Saturdays Introduction (00:00:00)
2. Animated How to Train Your Dragon (00:00:49)
3. Live-Action Remake Synopsis (00:02:34)
4. Casting Controversies (00:03:46)
5. Remake Critique and Visuals (00:06:32)
6. Ratings and Upcoming Movies (00:09:44)
274 episodes
Share
