How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

This has been on my to see list for some years now. Hailed by many as Dreamworks' finest work to date; after watching it with my daughter this weekend I can happily reveal that it's the animators' greatest achievement since Shrek 2 (2004). Centering around a Viking community whose frequent struggle with dragons means that a boys' passing into manhood is showcased by slaying one of the beasts, we follow young Hiccup who goes against the grain by befriending a supposedly deadly dragon whom he names Toothless. Hiccup is an outsider within his community, despite being the son of the village Chieftain; he is an accident prone let down to his old man thus far in his life. That all changes when he meets Toothless, and realises that he has a way with dragons, as well as realising that they perhaps aren't as dreadful as the Vikings have thought for the past few centuries. The film takes time to really grab your attention, but once Hiccup and Toothless meet properly for the first time, How To Train Your Dragon absolutely soars. The animation is lush, and there are many jaw dropping flying sequences, especially over water that are stunningly beautiful. I was repeatedly struck by the colour palette combined with the attention to detail, and instead of being distracted by the beauty of the animation, it pulls you right into the film putting you front and center. I'm very much looking forward to sitting down for part 2. 7.7/10