Written by Bill Bodkin and Logan J. Fowler
Release Date: June 13
Starring (Voices Of): Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Kit Harington, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, TJ Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Djimon Honsou, America Ferrera
Director: Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch)
Plot: It’s been five years since Hiccup (Jay Barcuhel) and Toothless successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid (America Ferrera), Snotlout (Jonah Hill) and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island’s new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: The sequel to one of my favorite DreamWorks Animation films (the other favorites being the Kung Fu Panda movies) is coming out Summer 2014. I’ll check this one out. –LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: This was one of the most over-hyped, over-praised animated films I’ve ever watched. The first film was fine for what it was, I’m sure this’ll follow suit.
Rate the trailer (1-5): Three out of five. I haven’t seen much beyond the first trailer (teaser) for this, but its good enough for me. Too many trailers give away so much these days and while it wouldn’t really destroy me internally if I saw too much of it already, I’d prefer to go into this knowing little as possible. –LJF
Rate the trailer (1-5): Two out of five. It looks exactly like the first movie, so it accomplishes reassuring audiences that they’ll be in for more of the same. –BB
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Theater. The only real quality animated film to hit the summer, How to Train Your Dragon 2 may not be as good as the first, but then again, who knows? It should be a fun time regardless. Plus, it’ll do damage at the box office, since Pixar is MIA over the next few months and no other big family films are coming out. In addition, I’ve got the pop-break review for this one, so consider me enrolled for training come release. –LJF
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Rent. I’m sure I’ll eventually catch this movie somewhere, but I’m not racing out the movies to see this movie. The first one was a fun movie, but it didn’t blow me away. Everyone was really hyped on the first film and I just don’t get why. And I think I should love this movie because it’s all about dragons and swords — two things I’ve always enjoyed at the movie. But alas, it was just okay. I think it’ll be more of the same, which is fine. –BB
