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- Does the ‘How to Train Your Dragon‘ Remake Feel Too Soon?
- The Jump Between 3D Animation to Live-Action Feels Redundant
- Some Good Things About the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake
- What Is the Point of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake?
As a lifelong animation enthusiast who grew up with classics like Disney and Pixar, I have to say that the idea of remaking animated films into live-action leaves me scratching my head more often than not. Don’t get me wrong; I love seeing new interpretations of stories I adore, but there’s something magical about animation that can’t be replicated in live-action.
Following more than a decade of Disney converting its animated movies into live-action counterparts, it was only a matter of time before other studios joined the bandwagon. Universal Pictures unveiled the first teaser for “How to Train Your Dragon”, a live-action adaptation of the 2010 DreamWorks animated masterpiece. The trailer aims to pique viewer curiosity, gradually hinting that the movie they’re watching is indeed a remake of a cherished film in their memory, culminating in the unveiling of Toothless.
The response to the trailer has been varied, with some viewers looking forward to a real-life interpretation of an animated timeless tale, while others are puzzled about the need for a remake so quickly. Just like the recent adaptations of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, the trailer seems identical to the original movie, making the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon stand out as somewhat incongruous because the real-life elements already resemble the computer-generated characters. It has also sparked a common concern that often arises with live-action adaptations of animated films, which can imply that animation is inferior, while live-action lends it a sense of authenticity.
Does the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake Feel Too Soon?
When the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters, it will be just 15 years since its original release in March 2010. This time span might seem quite long, as a new generation has grown up and can look back fondly on the original. However, considering the timeline for animated projects transitioning to live-action remakes, this is relatively short. For instance, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland was made 59 years after its animated Disney counterpart, and the gap between the 1950s Cinderella and its live-action remake in 2015 was 65 years. Even Disney’s adaptation of their Renaissance-era animated films starting in the mid-2010s had a nearly 30-year gap with Beauty and the Beast, which was released as a live-action film 26 years after its original animation debut.
As a movie enthusiast, I find it surprising that we’re already planning a live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon,” given that its animated original was only released in 2010. Compared to another popular animated franchise like “Despicable Me,” which has continued to thrive with sequels and spin-offs, the gap between the two feels significantly shorter. The fact that the “How to Train Your Dragon” series concluded as recently as 2019 with “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” means there will only be a six-year gap between the animated finale and the upcoming live-action adaptation, making it feel rather swift.
In a unique twist, the revamped version of “How to Train Your Dragon” stands out as an intriguing conundrum. Although it’s been some time since the initial film, it hasn’t been a significant span, and interestingly, this gap doesn’t feel as wide because viewers have recently encountered Toothless and Hiccup less than six years ago. Earlier, there used to be substantial gaps between an original movie and its remake, but now, it seems the timeline is accelerating with remakes being produced even before the generation who saw the original can vote. If “How to Train Your Dragon” appears premature for a remake, Disney is poised to shatter this brief gap with the live-action “Moana,” scheduled for release in 2026 – only ten years after the original and merely two years following “Moana 2.
The Jump Between 3D Animation to Live-Action Feels Redundant
In the trailer of the remake of “How to Train Your Dragon,” the striking shot showcases Toothless, a character that appears much like his animated counterpart in higher resolution. However, some viewers felt uneasy about the cohesion between the original Toothless design, which works perfectly for an animated film, and the more subdued color scheme of the live-action actors and realistic set design. Rather than adapting Toothless to suit this new, more realistic world while preserving his essential features, as was done with Pikachu in “Detective Pikachu,” it seems that the same 3D model from 2019’s “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” has been transplanted into this live-action film, leading to a clash of tones.
In this new How to Train Your Dragon trailer, the transition into a realistic setting hasn’t altered Toothless’s appearance enough for him to blend seamlessly, yet his distinct design remains striking and somewhat eerie compared to the original animation. This is due to the fact that computer-animated films already resemble reality, so the impact of seeing an animated character come to life isn’t reduced as much as it would be if we were moving a 2D property into live-action.
It turns out that not just “How to Train Your Dragon” by Chris Sanders is being remade; another live-action adaptation of one of his animated films, “Lilo & Stitch,” is set for release in 2025, coming three weeks before “How to Train Your Dragon.” Although some might view a “Lilo & Stitch” remake as unnecessary, the contrast between the design of Stitch and Toothless demonstrates the unique challenges involved when transforming a hand-drawn animated film into live-action compared to a computer-animated production.
In the new version of Stitch, the designers maintain his familiar, recognizable shape from the animated series. However, since Stitch is just a 2D animated character, transforming him into computer animation enables filmmakers to add depth and texture to his appearance. This updated Stitch looks like the original but also appears more lifelike, whereas Toothless seems like a traditional cartoon character in a real-world environment.
Some Good Things About the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake
It might initially appear that a remake of “How to Train Your Dragon” is superfluous, but there are compelling reasons for its appeal. Notably, Dean DeBlois, who previously collaborated with Chris Sanders on the original film and single-handedly directed both “How to Train Your Dragon 2” and “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” will be directing this new version.
It seems improbable that the innovative minds behind the initial film would return solely to direct a faithful adaptation of the original movie. More likely, they have a fresh perspective or twist on the material that wasn’t evident in the trailer, as its main purpose was to signal the remake and pique audience curiosity by using familiar visuals.
Essentially, “How to Train Your Dragon” is primarily a movie about fantastical dragons, which makes the fuss some fans have stirred up over casting mixed-race actress Nico Parker as Astrid illogical. Similar debates like those surrounding Halle Bailey as Ariel or Rachel Zegler as Snow White are often disguised as concerns about historical accuracy in children’s fantasy stories, when in reality they serve as a platform for racially biased views. If you’re upset that a new “How to Train Your Dragon” is coming out too quickly, then your feelings are understandable. But if your disappointment stems from Astrid not being portrayed by a white actress, then I’m afraid your grievance lacks merit.
What Is the Point of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake?
I can’t help but question the necessity of remaking “How to Train Your Dragon,” especially given how fresh and visually stunning its original release was. It seems that the only significant change in this new version is the shift from animation to live-action, while Toothless’s iconic design remains largely unaltered.
It’s intriguing to watch the adaptation of animated stories into live-action films, but it remains concerning that animation is often perceived as inferior to live-action. In many instances, animated movies, especially in North America, are considered a medium for children. The distinction between live-action and animation can be observed in films such as Transformers One and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Surprisingly, even though these animated films have received positive reviews and are often regarded as superior to their live-action counterparts, they struggle more to capture mainstream audiences compared to live-action movies based on the same IP.
By changing an animated film or series into live-action, it implies that this production has grown up and is now considered a “serious movie” rather than just for children’s entertainment. This shift from animation to live-action is often perceived as an improvement, while the reverse would be seen as a demotion in terms of scale and perceived value. In essence, animation serves as a genre that can tell a diverse range of stories suitable for all age groups, unlike live-action films which are commonly associated with grandeur and maturity.
As an avid movie enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in animation just as much as live-action films. Contrary to popular belief, animated movies like the original “How to Train Your Dragon” series aren’t inferior simply because they lack real-world settings. In fact, these films can be every bit as profound and moving as their live-action counterparts. The dragon trilogy stands shoulder to shoulder with other fantasy epics, proving that animation is not a weakness but a powerful storytelling tool in its own right.
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon has the potential to be good, but right now, the trailer highlights the current problem of not just remakes but unnecessary remakes that look down on one medium. After live-action remakes of Avatar: The Last Airbender and One Piece that do the same but with real people acting out the stories, it feels like this trend won’t go away soon. It feels like only a matter of time before we are staring down the barrel of Sony Pictures announcing a live-action Hotel Transylvania or DreamWorks moving ahead on live-action Shrek. The How to Train Your Dragon live-action adaptation is releasing on June 13, 2025. How to Train Your Dragon is streaming on Max.
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2024-11-25 04:37