On June 11, French cinemas will welcome a new DreamWorks film that promises to delight nostalgic viewers. Fifteen years after its debut as an animated feature, the How to Train Your Dragon franchise is getting its first live-action remake. It wasn't until Disney questioned live-action productions that DreamWorks attempted this exercise long after everyone else. The company with the big ears has often been criticized for the drastic changes it makes to its classics, so How to Train Your Dragon is attempting a completely opposite approach.
Every trailer released so far has only emphasized the similarities with the original animated film, and the latest trailer is no exception. These final clips (meant to promote the IMAX version of the feature film) once again focus on iconic scenes that appear to have been recreated shot-for-shot. Whether it's the interactions between Hiccup and Toothless, the flying scenes, or the battles, this live-action film seems identical in every way: maybe even a little too much.
Should we expect new scenes?
Reproducing a classic down to the last detail is just as risky as Disney's reinvention strategy. Replacing 3D models with actors and animating dragons with just a touch of added photorealism could be seen as a lack of creativity by some viewers. Even the synopsis suggests that no changes or new features have been implemented:
“On the harsh island of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands out. The inventive but neglected son of chieftain Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a fearsome Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons and challenges the very foundations of Viking society.””
So far, however, the reaction seems positive, both on YouTube and on social media, suggesting that this approach will likely bear fruit. But at 2 hours and 5 minutes compared to 1 hour 38 minutes for the original, the remake must certainly have some surprises in store for us. Since viewers already know this story, it's a safe bet that the exclusive scenes were deliberately eclipsed from the trailers to avoid spoilers.
We won't have to wait long to discover the final result, since Dragon will be shown in French cinemas starting June 11: just over a month to wait! DreamWorks nevertheless seems convinced of the future success, since a sequel is already in preparation.
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