Berk is back baby! The beloved 2010 animated film How To Train Your Dragon is the latest victim to be put into the live action remake machine (results may vary).

If you’re unfamiliar with the wonderful world of Berk and all its inhabitants let me accompany you on this journey of enlightenment.

Young viking Hiccup (Mason Thames) is considered a bit of a nuisance in his village, much like the numerous dragons that constantly raid them. In order to prove himself capable to his peers and his father Stoick (Gerard Butler), Hiccup attempts to kill a dragon. However, things don’t go to plan as when the opportunity presents itself he realises that instead of kill or be killed there may be a secret third option as he starts a tentative friendship with a Night Fury he calls Toothless.

I loved the casting for this one! Mason Thames was perfect as Hiccup, bringing all the charming awkwardness and underlying optimism of the character. Nico Parker was an amazing Astrid; balancing her ambitious spirit and honourable nature.

To me, this felt like a shot-for-shot remake, so if you’ve seen the original 2010 movie of the same name then you know exactly what you’re in for. The main difference is that this time it’s with real-life people and (unfortunately) still-fake dragons. But seriously, the plot is identical and the vast majority of the dialogue is too, so I do wonder why it even exists in the first place. But hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! (I’m looking at you Lilo & Stitch 2025).

Visually this movie was gorgeous. With exterior shots filmed on location in Ireland and Iceland the craggy cliff faces, lush forests and windswept seas were breathtaking and really brought Berk to life. The dragons’ design fit in well with the rest of the film and didn’t look out of place or uncanny. Toothless in particular was just as adorable as I remember.

The highlight of the movie were definitely the flight scenes with Hiccup and Toothless. From their frantic, thrilling first flight together to the calm serenity of their later trips the stunning visuals combined with an uplifting score really sold it.

It’s an inoffensive, feel good movie that reintroduces Hiccup, Toothless and the rest of the gang to a younger, newer, definitely not alive in 2010, audience. And I did still end up wanting a dragon as a best friend by the end of it, so I consider that a win. But there was nothing new. Maybe I’ve become jaded in my old age and am simply yearning for a bygone era, however if I’m ever in need of a dragon fix I think I’ll reach for the OG before this one.