*spoilers below*
Growing up sometimes means growing apart…
Having made a place of peace for men and dragons, viking chieftain Hiccup and the fire breathing Toothless are contented in their world, saving dragons from human hunters and protecting the island haven of Berk. The threats of overcrowding and poaching seem manageable until another, far more pressing peril emerges: adulthood.
As the finale in a so-far excellent trilogy, does Hidden World give these much loved characters the send-off they deserve? Sorry, can’t answer, I’ve got something in my eye…
So, our little Berkians are no longer quite so little. Appalling facial hair and increased responsibilities mean that the characters we first encountered as awkward teens are confronting the very serious – and very ridiculous – business of courtship. Of course, there are still a few real adults around; Gobber and Valka know what’s up. But they wisely limit themselves to a few words of advice, because this is something the youngsters will just have to work out for themselves.
But the human’s emotional entanglements are pushed to the background when a master dragon-slayer emerges and sets his malicious sites on Toothless. In a cruel twist of fate, Grimmel the Grim plans to ensnare Toothless in a honey trap of his own. For he has captured the last female of Toothless’s species: a Light Fury.
In a lesser film, our young heroes would work together to defeat the evil poacher, then effortlessly pair up and ride off into the sunset on their dragons. But here, even as Hiccup struggles to keep his friends together, there is a sense of doom about his efforts. Surprisingly early in the story, it starts to become clear that the problem runs much deeper than one maniacal dragon-killer.
Toothless and Hiccup have come so far together. They have made sacrifices for each other and grown so much. They’ve changed each other, the way that only real friendship can. But, in the end, they have to grow up and that means accepting the harshest truth of all: love isn’t always enough.
For all their efforts, the world of men remains a fundamentally dangerous place for dragons. In order for them to have any real future, the dragons must leave their human friends and return to the Hidden World.
This then isn’t a story about what happens, so much as why it happens. We can see early on what choices Toothless and Hiccup will make. In fact, we seem to know much sooner than they do themselves! It’s how they get there, understanding what drives them to make that choice, that propels the story. So Toothless falls head over heels, wooing the mysterious Light Fury and taking his place as king of the dragons. And Hiccup makes peace with his fears and self-doubt, and becomes a man by finally marrying Astrid.
It all looks beautiful, of course. This is one of those films you really deserve to see in the cinema. The dragon designs are as varied and inventive as ever. They all have a strong sense of identity and are wonderfully expressive. The Hidden World itself is full of colour and light – and tiny golden baby dragons! – alien yet inviting. Old Burk is like a viking version of downtown Tokyo, crammed full of ornaments and buildings and signs, humans and dragons all smushed together in a glorious, creative hodgepodge (the dragon-parking machine is especially cool). Even the framing of the dragons is carefully considered. In fight scenes, they loom large in the shot, dangerous and powerful, too big to be contained by any tiny human contrivance. But when left to themselves, the dragons are mostly shot at a distance, keeping them small in the frame, like distant birds. For all their power, these beasts are still vulnerable out in the world. Toothless and Light Fury’s blossoming romance was another highlight. These silent scenes are some of the most moving in the film, as their awkward, halting courtship giving way to an elegant, airborne dance. The music soars in this latter scene, uplifting and emotive. It was like something from a Gene Kelly movie, all grace and heart and gorgeousness. I loved it!
Yet, there’s no escaping the inevitable. Growing up means moving away from the past: developing by taking in new experiences and overcoming fresh challenges. Toothless must learn to communicate with Light Fury, and how to take to the skies alone; Hiccup has to decide what is best for his people, striking out to find them a new home. But, growing up also involves a return to the past: recalling those important early moments that help to define us, and taking up the mantle left by our ancestors. Toothless and Light Fury’s burgeoning relationship is an odd mirror image of Toothless and Hiccups early encounters, two strangers finding trust and common ground. Hiccup looks back to his father to help him understand what his role is and what he needs to do next. As the two friends part ways, we come full circle.
This is all heavy stuff for a kid’s movie, yet it feels bitter-sweet rather than maudlin or gloomy. Regret and loss are part of life, and sometimes moving forward means letting go. Yet there is always hope for the future. As our heroes become fathers themselves, there is a heart-warming reunion and a reminder that one day the world will be a better place. And then, perhaps, the dragons will come back to us.
Well, that was surprisingly emotional! Were you quietly moved, or left cold by the finale? The kids in the audience seemed charmed when I saw this – did you find the same? Have I missed anything vital out? As always, let me know!
SkellBox 