Post by angel624 on Apr 6, 2010 17:29:31 GMT -5
My science fiction professor gave us an extra-credit assignment today: we get ten points added to our lowest quiz grade (a ten points I would very much like to have) if we write a well-written, 200-400 (or above, since mine is actually 500) word movie review on a science fiction or fantasy movie of our choosing.
Any surprise I chose HTTYD?
And since I *am* getting a grade on this, any tips and pointers from you guys would be GREATLY appreciated! ^^; Thanks!
(I'll be graded on how eloquently I state my opinion and set the tone of the review, show in detail how the movie succeeds or fails to dramatize a science fiction theme, and on there being no mistakes/fluency)
~~~
A Review of How To Train Your Dragon
(my name goes here, lol)
How To Train Your Dragon is a beautiful movie from Dreamworks Animation, and is based on the novel of the same name that was written by Cressida Cowell. Made in only a year and directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, HTTYD was expected to fail. Now there are fans widespread (a few who have even created Facebook profiles for the characters) and rumors that the HTTYD franchise is poised to replace the Twilight fad. How is it that a movie based on a hardly-known novel and created by a company infamously known for its flimsy movies can become so well-regarded and popular? The answer lies in the movie’s execution of its rather simple, boy-meets-animal plot.
Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is a member of a tribe of Vikings with a rather large problem: the dragons that continually raid their village and livestock. During one of these battles, Hiccup injures a Night Fury: the rarest, least understood, and most feared of all the dragon species. Realizing that the Night Fury’s stabilizing tail fin has been torn off, rendering the dragon unable to fly or fend for itself, Hiccup befriends it, dubs it Toothless, and teaches it how to fly again. As Hiccup learns more about dragons, including why they raid his village in the first place, he decides to turn his back on his people’s war and help the dragons. With the help of his friends from dragon-killing training, Hiccup and Toothless save the day…though at a precious cost for Hiccup.
The movie explores themes such as the importance of individuality, misunderstanding of nature, and the bonds between animal and man. Because Hiccup is absolutely nothing like the other Vikings in his villiage -- including his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) – he is considered a misfit and a freak. But, as his friend Astrid (America Ferrera) points out, Hiccup was the first Viking to not only not kill a dragon but be the first to ride one. Because of his individuality, Hiccup stops the war. The misunderstanding of nature is symbolized in the Vikings’ view of the dragons: the vicious monsters that must be wiped out at all costs. In reality, the dragons are gathering food to keep from being eaten themselves. This misunderstanding leads to all-out war between the two species. Hiccup and Toothless’ relationship shows the power of the bond between man and animal, from the building of trust between the two to their first flight, from Hiccup’s attempt to save Toothless from drowning to Toothless saving his boy from being incinerated; their relationship shows how strong an animal’s loyalty to its master can be, and a how human’s affection for his pet can change him.
HTTYD is an amazing work of art. Not only are the special 3D effects astounding (this reviewer personally jumped in surprise when a dragon suddenly thrust its nose at her!), but the story is elegantly simple and profound. The soundtrack swells beautifully with Celtic strains, the actors and animation are top-notch, and the themes and symbolism in the story are well-executed.
After seeing this movie, many eyes will be watching the stars, searching for a Night Fury of their own.
Any surprise I chose HTTYD?
And since I *am* getting a grade on this, any tips and pointers from you guys would be GREATLY appreciated! ^^; Thanks!
(I'll be graded on how eloquently I state my opinion and set the tone of the review, show in detail how the movie succeeds or fails to dramatize a science fiction theme, and on there being no mistakes/fluency)
~~~
A Review of How To Train Your Dragon
(my name goes here, lol)
How To Train Your Dragon is a beautiful movie from Dreamworks Animation, and is based on the novel of the same name that was written by Cressida Cowell. Made in only a year and directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, HTTYD was expected to fail. Now there are fans widespread (a few who have even created Facebook profiles for the characters) and rumors that the HTTYD franchise is poised to replace the Twilight fad. How is it that a movie based on a hardly-known novel and created by a company infamously known for its flimsy movies can become so well-regarded and popular? The answer lies in the movie’s execution of its rather simple, boy-meets-animal plot.
Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is a member of a tribe of Vikings with a rather large problem: the dragons that continually raid their village and livestock. During one of these battles, Hiccup injures a Night Fury: the rarest, least understood, and most feared of all the dragon species. Realizing that the Night Fury’s stabilizing tail fin has been torn off, rendering the dragon unable to fly or fend for itself, Hiccup befriends it, dubs it Toothless, and teaches it how to fly again. As Hiccup learns more about dragons, including why they raid his village in the first place, he decides to turn his back on his people’s war and help the dragons. With the help of his friends from dragon-killing training, Hiccup and Toothless save the day…though at a precious cost for Hiccup.
The movie explores themes such as the importance of individuality, misunderstanding of nature, and the bonds between animal and man. Because Hiccup is absolutely nothing like the other Vikings in his villiage -- including his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) – he is considered a misfit and a freak. But, as his friend Astrid (America Ferrera) points out, Hiccup was the first Viking to not only not kill a dragon but be the first to ride one. Because of his individuality, Hiccup stops the war. The misunderstanding of nature is symbolized in the Vikings’ view of the dragons: the vicious monsters that must be wiped out at all costs. In reality, the dragons are gathering food to keep from being eaten themselves. This misunderstanding leads to all-out war between the two species. Hiccup and Toothless’ relationship shows the power of the bond between man and animal, from the building of trust between the two to their first flight, from Hiccup’s attempt to save Toothless from drowning to Toothless saving his boy from being incinerated; their relationship shows how strong an animal’s loyalty to its master can be, and a how human’s affection for his pet can change him.
HTTYD is an amazing work of art. Not only are the special 3D effects astounding (this reviewer personally jumped in surprise when a dragon suddenly thrust its nose at her!), but the story is elegantly simple and profound. The soundtrack swells beautifully with Celtic strains, the actors and animation are top-notch, and the themes and symbolism in the story are well-executed.
After seeing this movie, many eyes will be watching the stars, searching for a Night Fury of their own.
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