Darkest Moments From ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

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As a long-time fan of animated films, I must admit that the How to Train Your Dragon series has left a profound impact on me. From the heartwarming camaraderie between Hiccup and Toothless to the heartrending moments like Stoick’s death, these movies have managed to evoke a wide range of emotions in their audience.

What sets this franchise apart is its ability to delve deep into the human condition while maintaining an engaging narrative for children. Each character’s growth throughout the series mirrors our own lives, making it easier to relate and empathize with them. The darker moments serve as a reminder that life isn’t always easy, but they also teach valuable lessons about loss, love, and the importance of friendship.

One scene that particularly stands out for me is the dragons’ farewell in How to Train Your Dragon 3. It’s a bittersweet moment, tinged with melancholy as we watch our beloved characters part ways. But as someone who has experienced my fair share of goodbyes, I can appreciate the raw emotion and authenticity portrayed in this scene.

And let’s not forget the humor! The series never shies away from injecting a touch of comedy to lighten the mood, and it does so masterfully. For instance, the running gag about Stoick being afraid of everything was always a crowd favorite, providing much-needed laughter amidst the more somber moments.

In conclusion, the How to Train Your Dragon series is a captivating blend of adventure, friendship, and life lessons. It’s a testament to the power of animation in delivering emotional stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. So grab your popcorn, tissues, and maybe even a friend or two, because this franchise is one you won’t want to miss!

Oh, and as a final note, I can’t help but wonder if the dragons are still using their “human voices” in the Hidden World. Only time will tell!

At first glance, the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy appears to be a delightful tale centered around a boy named Hiccup and his dragon companion Toothless, exploring themes of friendship, self-discovery, and standing firm on one’s convictions. Upon further examination, though, these movies display some surprisingly grim and disturbing moments.

As a movie aficionado, I must say that these so-called “family-friendly” films pack a punch, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to dark themes. From characters who meet a gruesome end to instances where the narrative veers into speciesism, these movies don’t shy away from challenging viewer expectations.

While it would be impossible to cover every moment in this franchise that pushes boundaries, the ones on this list are particularly noteworthy for their shock value, far-reaching implications, and exploration of thought-provoking, if unsettling, themes.

10
The Book of Dragons

In the initial “How to Train Your Dragon” film, Hiccup comes across a book titled “The Book of Dragons”. This text functions as a guide for Vikings about various dragon species. At first glance, the book appears ominous due to its graphic depictions of dragons and the recurring warning, “Extremely dangerous, eliminate immediately.” However, what’s truly disconcerting is discovering that the information in this book turns out to be false later on.

Killed on Sight

In a world where such fearsome creatures as described in the book exist, it would undeniably be terrifying. However, what makes this scenario even more chilling is that the dragons turned out to be less menacing than their portrayal in the book. This suggests that all these dragon species may have been hunted and exterminated based solely on the accounts given in the book. Though the scene with the book doesn’t hold immediate terror, contemplating the destruction it might have caused is a deeply unsettling thought.

9
Three Boats Leave, One Returns

Initially in “How to Train Your Dragon”, Hiccup’s father, Stoick, embarks on a voyage with three ships, aiming to locate and vanquish the dragons’ lair. A fellow Viking expresses concern when the ships don’t return, and his worry appears justified: ultimately, only one of the three vessels makes it back, badly damaged, suggesting that the other two may have been destroyed along with their occupants.

The Carnage Continues

Before departing, Stoick reassured Hiccup by saying, “I’ll return, most likely.” It seemed he was anticipating the mission might be too challenging. Earlier, we pointed out the tragic fact that numerous dragons were slain unnecessarily. However, this scene reveals an even more alarming truth: many Vikings also met their untimely end without reason.

8
The Cannibalistic Red Death

The Red Death is a massive dragon who rules her lair. In the initial film, Hiccup and Toothless enter her territory and witness her devouring a Gronkle in one gulp. Upon noticing Hiccup, the Red Death lunges towards him, unintentionally slaying a Zippleback. This incident leaves viewers pondering how many other dragons might have suffered a similar tragic end.

Frightening Both Audiences and Dragons

In this particular scene, the dragons share the same fear as the spectators. They huddle in terror as the Red Death assaults, and many even attempt to escape (with the unfortunate exception of the Zippleback). The Red Death stands out among the others in the nest due to its immense size and ferocious appetite, closely resembling its Viking portrayals in the movie.

7
Drago Killing the Island Chiefs

In the movie “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” Drago Bludvist assumes the role of the primary adversary. He is portrayed as relentless and driven by ambition. Years prior, during a conference of chieftains aiming to address the dragon issue, an unidentified Drago made his entrance. He proposed that they would be safeguarded if they submitted to him. When they refused, he instructed his dragons to assault them, leaving only Stoick alive.

Power, Not Protection

Essentially, it wasn’t necessary for Drago to slay the other Vikings. He had alternatives like demonstrating his control over dragons to gain their loyalty, or just letting the chieftains be. However, his deliberate act of forcing them to submit reveals a desire for power rather than concern for others’ wellbeing.

6
The Death of Valka’s Alpha

In the movie “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, the Alpha dragon initially teamed up with Valka for the protection and nurturing of other dragons. Regrettably, it was eventually confronted by Drago’s Bewilderbeast and met its end when it was impaled with tusks, thereby losing its title as the king of dragons.

A Heroic Demise

Previously, the Alpha was a peaceful titan who cared for his companions, and it was disheartening to witness his defeat. Yet, this moment was somber not just due to the Bewilderbeast’s demise, but also because of the ominous message it conveyed about the future of other dragons.

5
The Aftermath of Drago’s Traps

As a film enthusiast, I find myself once more penning my thoughts about Drago, not for his feat of slaying a dragon, but for the atrocious act of mutilating numerous ones instead. In the captivating tale of “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, it’s Hiccup who encounters his mother, Valka, and learns of Drago’s cruel deeds. The heart-wrenching scene unfolds as she reveals the plight of many dragons ensnared in Drago’s traps – a limbless one here, an injured winged creature there, and another who was left blind and abandoned to die. Tragically, these wounded beasts lay just a few feet away from Valka, hinting at the countless others who have also suffered.

Needless Suffering

Previously stated, it’s safe to assume that most dragons depicted here are peacefully coexisting with humans, probably going about their daily lives before being captured. Furthermore, considering the traps set by Drago, it’s plausible that some dragons were unintentionally harmed or even lost their lives during these captures.

4
Hiccup’s Sacrifice

In the movie How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, also known as How to Train Your Dragon 3, the primary antagonist was a ruthless dragon hunter named Grimmel the Grisly. Known for slaughtering countless Night Furies, his ultimate goal was to capture Toothless and seize control of his Alpha powers. He used a Light Fury as a lure to achieve this. As the movie drew to a close, Grimmel and Hiccup engaged in an airborne battle. Hiccup, riding on the Light Fury, charged at Grimmel. In the heat of the confrontation, Grimmel managed to dart Toothless with a tranquilizer, causing the dragon to fall from the sky and crash to the ground.

In an instant, Hiccup quickly decided to act. He urged the Light Fury to prioritize helping Toothless, then released his grip and plummeted downwards for hundreds of feet. The Light Fury promptly darted towards Toothless while Grimmel relentlessly clawed at Hiccup’s wing suit. Fortunately, the Light Fury managed to intervene just in time, averting a potential disaster. However, as Grimmel’s ending demonstrated, mere moments could have resulted in a tragic outcome.

Heroic and Horrifying

In a film like this, while it might seem uncommon for the main character to perish, any event was possible given that Hiccup had already suffered losses such as losing a leg and watching his best friend kill his father. Therefore, Hiccup’s fall carried real consequences, especially when Grimmel damaged his armor. To heighten the gloominess, the sequence started with several Deathgrippers being slain, and it culminated in Grimmel’s demise after Hiccup severed his artificial limb, propelling the antagonist into the water.

3
Hiccup Loses a Leg

At the climax of “How to Train Your Dragon,” Hiccup and Toothless join forces to bring down the menacing Red Death. In their desperate escape, they soared higher and higher. Just when all hope seemed lost, Toothless set fire to gas within the Red Death’s mouth, causing it to plunge towards the ground where it detonated. Tragically, as the Red Death fell, its tail struck Toothless, sending Hiccup and him crashing into the flames below. Miraculously, Hiccup later regained consciousness in the village of Berk, now possessing a new prosthetic leg in place of his injured one.

Hinting at Losses to Come

During the film, numerous Vikings sported missing limbs, while Toothless also bore a wounded tail. Implicitly hinted was the possibility of Hiccup suffering a similar fate. On another note, this injury was quite intense for a character in a kids’ movie, and the sequence leading to it was grim, with the Night Fury showing terror as it fell, and Stoick expressing shock and fear that his son might have perished. Additionally, it paved the way for more character departures later on.

2
Stoick’s Death

Previously stated, Stoick the Vast served as a loving yet obstinate father to Hiccup. In the sequel’s events, Hiccup endeavored to convince Drago that Vikings and dragons could coexist peacefully. In retaliation, Drago ordered his Alpha dragon to seize control of Toothless and attack Hiccup. Just as disaster seemed inevitable, Stoick stepped in front of Hiccup and Toothless, absorbing the fatal impact meant for his son.

A Vast Emptiness

Indeed, it isn’t unprecedented for children’s movie franchises to include a deceased parent character. Yet, the way Stoick’s demise unfolds in this story is distinct because Hiccup, his closest friend, had no choice but to take his life. To add to the emotional turmoil, Hiccup, in his grief, pushed Toothless away when the dragon tried to grasp what was happening and provide comfort.

1
The Dragons’ Farewell

As the third film reached its end, Hiccup declared that the dragons should remain in the Secret Realm for their protection. Consequently, all characters bid farewell to their dragons before witnessing them depart towards their new abode. However, no one found joy in their departure, and with everything they’d shared, saying goodbye was particularly difficult.

Dark and Depressing

Some people might argue that this scene is more melancholic than ominous, given that the series has always been about Vikings and dragons forming bonds. However, it’s disconcerting to consider that all these efforts may have ultimately been in vain. The movie does offer a glimmer of hope, hinting at a future where Vikings and dragons can live together harmoniously. Yet, for the time being, they seem destined to remain separate, implying that the true struggle wasn’t about teaching dragons, but about crafting a world where both dragons and humans could coexist safely.

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2024-12-30 02:02