How to Train Your Dragon 2 *** (PG) Two "rules" have evolved for sequels. The first, and all too often true, is to expect some dropoff in quality. The second should be predictability - fans of the first enter with hopes and expectations based on what they liked enough from the original to pay for another round. On the visual side, this animated feature actually offers an upgrade from the first. But a darker tone and turn of events in this one might upset some of its young target audience more than their parents would have anticipated.
Director/co-writer Dean DeBlois and much of his voice cast return for the further adventures of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his loyal pal and steed, Toothless. For five years, their Viking home has thrived with happy bondings between humans and dragons in the wake of the interspecies breakthrough the two forged in the first film. The new threat comes from an old nemesis (Gerard Butler) who seeks to capture and control all the world’s dragons for global domination. To him, the creatures are just weapons to wield, not pals and playmates. Hiccup gets a surprise ally (Cate Blanchett) in his quest to maximize the peaceful, loving co-existence to all members of both species.
The film opens with an colorful, fast-paced variation on Harry Potter’s quidditch matches, showing how fully the village has embraced its winged newcomers. The diversity of looks and skills among the dragons, ranging from adorable to fearsome, greatly enhances the art design factor (and, cynics might note, merchandising possibilities). Hiccup’s continuing desire to discover unknown lands inevitably leads to the bad guys crashing their idyllic party for some epic battles, parts of which arguably escalate into PG-13 levels of menace and outcomes. Keep that in mind when deciding which kids to bring, and who should stay with the sitter. (6/13/14)