As a long-time fan of animated films and someone who’s been through more than a few life lessons myself, I can confidently say that both “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Big Hero 6” are two movies that are simply too good not to love!
Over time, stories featuring a young protagonist bonding with an unconventional friend such as Gremlins, E.T., The Iron Giant, or Underdog have been consistently popular across various decades and genres. From pets to robots, aliens, or magical creatures, each new interpretation captivates viewers and critics alike, despite the familiar narrative structure.
It’s not surprising when viewers begin to recognize and criticize similarities between characters and their narratives in films produced by studios like Dreamworks (such as “How to Train Your Dragon”) and Disney (like “Big Hero 6”). This suggests that the studios might be running out of fresh ideas, leading some viewers to feel a growing sense of boredom with these formulaic tales.
Hiccup and Hiro: The Same Tale of Unlikely Heroes
At first glance, “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Big Hero 6” may not appear to have much in common. The former is set in the Nordic village of Berk, where Vikings must battle their dragon adversaries to survive, while the latter takes place in the future fantasy city of San Fransokyo, where technology enables characters to reach new heights and robot fights. Nevertheless, upon comparing these films, specifically their main characters Hiccup and Hiro, it becomes strikingly evident that they share a striking resemblance.
Young Inventors
Initially, we have two lads who are both creative minds, inventors in essence. In the initial “How to Train Your Dragon” movie, Hiccup (played by Jay Baruchel) embarks on an apprenticeship under blacksmith Gobber of Berk, allowing him to design various gadgets aimed at aiding his people against dragons. Among his most effective inventions are a bola launcher, which he employs to bring down his future dragon friend Toothless, and a flying fin that enables the Night Fury to soar through the skies once more.
In much the same vein, just as Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter in the Titans series) develops a cluster of microbots capable of forming into any desired shape via a neural transmitter, so too does Hiccup employ intellect over brute force to tackle issues and aid others. This is crucial due to their relatively limited/feeble physiques. However, both characters prove themselves formidable group leaders through their innovative problem-solving (with some assistance from their extraordinary companions).
Familial Similarities
Moreover, Hiccup and Hiro have similarities in their family stories. To begin with, their mothers, Valka (Hiccup’s) and [Mother’s Name] (Hiro’s), are absent from the storyline at first. Valka was missing from the initial movie because the village believed she had perished during a dragon attack. However, in the sequel, she miraculously returns, finding common ground with dragons (as Hiccup does) and establishing a haven for them.
In my perspective, while I don’t directly talk about it, Hiro’s mother has sadly departed. Instead, Aunt Cass steps up as a nurturing figure in his life. Interestingly enough, the main characters in this story experience the loss of their most cherished male relatives. For Hiccup, it’s his father, Stoick, brilliantly portrayed by Gerard Butler, and for Hiro, it’s his older brother, Tadashi, played by Daniel Henney. Remarkably, both these men selflessly give up their lives – Stoick to save Hiccup, and Tadashi to rescue his professor from a blazing fire. These acts of sacrifice are strikingly similar.
Essentially, both films employ similar narrative decisions as a foundation for their main characters. Yet, the unique paths directors choose within their respective realms provide sufficient differences that viewers can appreciate each one without their similarities overshadowing the experience.
Toothless and Baymax: A Friend In a Time of Need
In different shapes, Hiccup’s dragon companion Toothless and Hiro’s supportive robot Baymax appear in their lives when they are at their most crucial moments. Struggling with doubts about his leadership capabilities in his father’s village, Hiccup discovers an injured Toothless after shooting him down. Raised to harbor fear of dragons, Hiccup’s kindness overcomes his apprehensions, leading him to care for the Night Fury and help it recover — a decision that fosters a beautiful friendship, bolsters his self-assurance, and lays the groundwork for lasting harmony between Berk and its dragon adversaries.
Following Tadashi’s sudden demise, Hiro is struck with profound sorrow, finding it difficult to envision a life devoid of his brother’s presence. In his absence remains Baymax, a healthcare robot designed by Tadashi, who assists Hiro in exposing Callaghan’s (James Cromwell) malicious intent to misuse microbots for a vengeful scheme. Throughout their journey, both Baymax and another companion serve as guardians, safeguarding Hiccup and Hiro at any cost, including the potential sacrifice of themselves. They stand by these young heroes every step of the way, helping them overcome their hardships to reach their full potential.
The Good Guys and The Bad Guys
In both “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Big Hero 6”, the final scenes show a group of young individuals standing up for what’s right, with Hiccup (or Hiro) leading the charge. For Hiccup, his team comprises six members, including Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut, each accompanied by their respective dragons. Interestingly, in “Big Hero 6”, Hiro’s team is structured similarly with Baymax, GoGo, Honey Lemon, Fred, and yet again, T.J. Miller’s character, despite the varying personalities and abilities within each group, the setup is strikingly consistent across both movies.
Regarding the antagonists, their key traits can be traced back to their shared motivations and contrasting roles compared to the main characters. In the movie “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, Hiccup faces off against Drago Bludvist (played by Djimon Hounsou), a ruthless warlord who amasses an army of enslaved dragons with the intention of ruling the world. His wicked schemes stem from the loss of his village and arm during a dragon attack, which propelled him on a destructive path in search of vengeance against the fire-breathers. This quest for vengeance eventually led him down a villainous road, driven by his desire for ultimate power and control, with no turning back.
In the animated film Big Hero 6, Hiro encounters Yokai, who is actually Tadashi’s professor, Callaghan. Initially, Yokai plans to utilize microbots to rebuild the Krei Tech portal that trapped his daughter. Driven by fury, he aims not only to rescue her but also to destroy the company and its CEO, who refused to aid him in saving her. Both adversaries seek revenge for losing loved ones, and their quests quickly escalate into major assaults. Given that Hiccup and Hiro’s journeys involve loss as well, these antagonists reflect the role of the protagonists’ evil counterparts, demonstrating to viewers that the distinction between good and evil can be blurred.
Two Movies Too Good Not to Love
Ultimately, the movies “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Big Hero 6” have several commonalities in terms of their characters and storytelling techniques. Yet, this realization should not discourage anyone from enjoying either film. Despite the fact that similar types of stories and characters, such as protagonists, sidekicks, and antagonists, have been seen before, these films’ creators utilized this likeness merely as a foundation. They each crafted unique universes, brimming with breathtaking animation, lovable characters, and narrative arcs that burst to life in such a captivating way that viewers remain enamored of both. Catch How to Train Your Dragon on Max or Big Hero 6 on Disney+.
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2024-12-15 19:32