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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

7/10

Stars: Voices: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrara, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Justin Rupple, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Kit Harington, F. Murray Abraham

Director: Dean DeBlois

Given Hollywood-s prime moviemaking motivation is moneymaking - this arrival of this action-stuffed threequel comes as no surprise and, while accompanying adults may find the attractively animated epic something of a drag at times, the soaring movie magic on offer is sure to delight the youngsters who are the film's prime target.

Director Deblois' fantasy-and-action stuffed screenplay, based on one of the 12 (eat your heart out J K Rowling!) books by British writer Cressida Cowell, finds series hero Hiccup (pleasantly voiced by Baruchel) now ruling the fantasy kingdom of Berk whose existence as a glorious dragon utopia is threatened by the arrival of evil female Light Fairy. Cue the most terrifying threat the village has ever faced, leaving Hiccup to boldly fly high and to find a hidden world whose existence had been secret to him - in order to save Berk and everything else he has learned to treasure.

Impressive animation, much of it airborne and engagingly performed by soaring dragons, along with plentiful not-too-scary fantasy action, makes sure that this Dreamworks animation offering delivers all most fantasy-and-thrills-loving youngsters could ask for.

Accompanying adults should prepare for an overdose of calculated saccharine whimsy potentiated by John Powell's overpowering score. (And, if like me, you find Dreamworks' so-cute-that-it-hurts logo just a tad nauseating, avert your gaze when it briefly appears prior to the fun that follows).

Alan Frank

USA 2019. UK Distributor: Universal. Colour.
104 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: PG.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 17 Feb 2019