What happens when you take a modern animated classic, strip away its stylized charm, and rebuild it with real actors, natural landscapes, and practical effects? That’s the challenge behind the 2025 live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon, and Eve and I were more than a little curious about how it would hold up. In this episode of AYJW, we take a closer look at the new live-action adaptation in our How to Train Your Dragon 2025 review. This isn’t just another remake—it’s a reinterpretation of a beloved story about honor, trust, and identity. In this episode, we unpack what changes, what stays the same, and what deeper truths emerge when a well-worn tale gets a new coat of cinematic paint.
When How to Train Your Dragon first hit theaters in 2010, DreamWorks delivered a breathtaking animated world full of heart and heroism. It wasn’t just a kids’ movie—it was a meaningful journey about learning to see the world (and your enemies) differently. Fast forward to 2025, and we now have a grounded, live-action version helmed by Dean DeBlois, the original trilogy’s writer and director. That continuity in vision makes a big difference. The score by John Powell, too, keeps much of its emotional weight.
Starring Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid, this version trades exaggerated expressions and dragon-riding spectacle for more subdued performances and tangible texture. It’s not quite the same ride—but it raises fresh questions, especially when it comes to how children (and adults) are formed by the stories they watch. Eve and I may not agree on everything in this one, but that’s part of the fun—and the mission—of watching with discernment.
First Impressions
We’re stepping into a world that I’ve spent some time with—but Eve, not quite as much. I’ve seen the full animated How to Train Your Dragon trilogy and really appreciated how the story matured over time. Eve has only seen the first film, but it was enough for both of us to walk into this live-action adaptation with a healthy mix of curiosity and nostalgia. What we didn’t expect—at least not to this degree—was how much we’d actually enjoy it. This movie isn’t just a passable remake; it’s an earnest and surprisingly well-crafted reinterpretation that we both liked a lot.
One of the first things that struck us was how grounded and textured the film felt. The shift from animation to live action gave the story a new kind of weight—more tangible, a little less whimsical, but no less engaging. I appreciated the use of natural lighting and the tactile sense of Berk as a real place, with wind, grit, and weather. Although I missed the stylized beauty of the animated skies and exaggerated expressions, this version still felt immersive in its own right.
The casting was another pleasant surprise. Mason Thames brought Hiccup to life with a sincere awkwardness that didn’t feel forced, and Nico Parker’s Astrid had a calm intensity that made her both believable and intense. These weren’t copies of their animated counterparts, and that was a good thing.
Much of that success likely stems from Dean DeBlois,who returns to direct and write this adaptation after helming the original trilogy. His fingerprints are still all over this version, and that continuity matters. The humor, the pacing, and the tone all feel intentional—and while it’s more mature in some places, it’s never cynical or heavy-handed.
Toothless and the other dragons were naturally a major talking point. The photorealistic design meant they lost some of the exaggerated expressiveness we loved in the animation, but they gained something else—weight, presence, and a kind of animal realism that made the bond between Hiccup and Toothless feel even more powerful.
All in all, we both came away impressed—and pleased. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) doesn’t just cash in on nostalgia; it earns its place as a genuine and thoughtful adaptation. For fans of the original, it’s a respectful reimagining. And for first-time viewers, it still works as a strong, self-contained story about growing up, seeing differently, and choosing courage. We liked it—and we’re excited to talk more about why.
If you’re curious to see how this live-action world came together, I highly recommend checking out the official Making Of featurette. It offers a fascinating look at the practical effects, location choices, and the creative heart behind the adaptation.
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The Feuding Tradition
One of the first deeper themes that stood out to us was the way this film portrays generational hostility as both inherited and unquestioned. In Berk, the conflict with dragons has been going on for so long that no one seems to remember exactly why it started—or whether it even still makes sense. The people just know they’ve always feared dragons, always fought them, always seen them as enemies. And that tradition becomes self-perpetuating.
Stoick, Hiccup’s father, is a product of this thinking. He’s not portrayed as a villain—he’s honorable, strong, and committed to protecting his people. But he’s also completely locked into a worldview where dragons are monsters and violence is the only reasonable response. He’s so steeped in that assumption that when Hiccup starts to question it, Stoick doesn’t just dismiss him—he sees him as a threat to the tribe. Hiccup’s compassion doesn’t register as courage or wisdom—it looks like betrayal.
This kind of inherited thinking is all too familiar. As Eve and I discussed, it parallels how cultural and even religious traditions can become entrenched in our own lives. We grow up with certain ideas, certain suspicions, and certain enemies we’re taught not to question. Over time, those ideas become identity. And once identity gets involved, the possibility of change feels like disloyalty.
But Scripture calls us to test everything and cling to what is good.
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
“But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:23–25)
In Berk, the will of the people is to fight dragons. But Hiccup dares to be transformed. He lets his mind be renewed by what he actually sees and experiences—Toothless is not a mindless killer. He’s intelligent, emotional, and even loyal. That realization starts a transformation, not just in Hiccup, but eventually in the entire culture. But it takes someone willing to step outside the traditions of his tribe to begin that change.
We talked about how that’s not always easy. In fact, it can be painful. Hiccup faces immense pressure—not just from his father, but from his peers and his community. There’s a scene where the other kids ridicule him for being weak, for not conforming to the expected mold. And yet, it’s his refusal to blindly follow that makes him strong.
“Better is a patient person than a warrior, and one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
“But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.” (Titus 3:9)
The world celebrates the warrior—the dragon slayer. But Scripture values something else entirely: the one who exercises patience and restraint. Hiccup embodies that. When he has the chance to kill Toothless, he can’t do it. He realizes in that moment that taking life isn’t courage—it’s the easy way out. Real bravery, in this story, means choosing peace when you’ve been taught to fight.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.” (James 3:17)
That idea sparked a great side discussion for us—especially about how this applies within the church. Sometimes, even in our faith communities, we inherit traditions of suspicion or division. We assume that certain people are outsiders, threats, or too different to be reached. We build theological walls where Christ calls for bridges. And we repeat phrases like “We’ve always done it this way” as though tradition is its own authority.
But Hiccup’s journey reminds us that someone has to break the cycle, not out of rebellion, but out of conviction. Eve and I both appreciated how the film doesn’t pit father and son as pure opposites. Stoick is given room to grow. He changes, too. It takes time, and it costs him—but when he finally sees what his son sees, he becomes part of the reconciliation.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)
“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1)
This theme of reconciliation is deeply embedded in the story. Not just between a boy and a dragon, but between generations, between hardened assumptions and fresh understanding. Hiccup models the kind of humility and courage that opens the door for something new—and eventually, something beautiful.
We live in a time where cultural feuds still run deep—political, racial, ideological. Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t fighting the enemy, but questioning whether the enemy was rightly named in the first place. This movie reminds us that peace begins not when the fight is won, but when someone chooses not to fight at all.
Reconciliation
If the feuding tradition sets the stage for conflict, reconciliation is where the heart of the story really lands. Eve and I both felt this theme pulsing through the latter half of the movie—not just in the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, but in how that bond ripples outward. It’s not enough for one boy to find peace with one dragon. The story demands that something bigger be healed. And that healing takes humility, honesty, and sacrifice.
What stood out most is that reconciliation in this movie isn’t passive. It’s not just a ceasefire. It’s something active—something hard-earned. Hiccup doesn’t merely apologize or walk away from the fight; he steps into the role of peacemaker, even when it costs him his father’s approval, his social standing, and nearly his life. Reconciliation here means choosing vulnerability in the face of violence.
“All this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
Hiccup becomes a bridge between two worlds—human and dragon—and that made us think of how believers are called to serve as ambassadors of peace in a divided world. This isn’t easy work. It requires us to live in the tension between sides that don’t trust each other. Like Hiccup, we risk rejection from our own people when we stand in the middle. But that’s where healing begins.
That tension plays out most powerfully in the father-son relationship. At first, Stoick’s expectations for Hiccup are rigid, shaped by tradition and pride. But once he sees the truth, his heart changes. Eve brought in a beautiful verse that captures this shift:
“The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him. Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.” (Proverbs 23:24–25)
This kind of joy comes not from conformity, but from godly character—and it’s echoed in the instructions given to both parents and children in Scripture:
“Husbands, love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:19–21)
“Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
We see all of that tension and resolution play out between Stoick and Hiccup. The reconciliation isn’t immediate—it takes Hiccup’s consistency and Stoick’s repentance. But when it happens, it’s transformative. It opens the door for peace, not only between people and dragons, but between father and son.
That’s the beauty of reconciliation in this story: it begins with one heart changing, but it never stays there.
Peace Through Discernment
As the story unfolds, Hiccup’s choices become increasingly counter-cultural—not just to his Viking heritage, but to the very idea of what strength looks like. Eve and I spent a lot of time here, because this was one of the most spiritually rich stretches of the film. Hiccup doesn’t win because he’s stronger. He doesn’t tame dragons by overpowering them. He chooses another path—one marked by restraint, curiosity, and wisdom. And that wisdom bears fruit.
It’s the kind of counterintuitive strength that Scripture consistently elevates.
“Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–27)
The people of Berk want a warrior. Stoick wants a son who will slay dragons and carry on the tribe’s legacy. But God often uses those who seem least qualified. Hiccup is awkward, nontraditional, and unwilling to play by the rules of his culture—and that’s precisely what gives him eyes to see what no one else can. His discernment comes not from strategy or strength, but from compassion and observation.
I pointed out that this connects directly with Jesus’ teaching about the narrow way.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14)
Discernment isn’t just about having knowledge—it’s about perceiving truth when the majority rushes toward what feels normal or safe. It’s not merely hearing facts, but recognizing truth in a world flooded with noise. And that kind of clarity often forms under pressure.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2–3)
Hiccup faces trial after trial, not just externally, but internally as well. His greatest enemy isn’t the Red Death or even the dragons—it’s the fear that he’s not enough. That he’s failed his father. That he doesn’t belong. But instead of retreating or pretending, he chooses honesty. And that honesty opens the door to something better than dominance—it opens the door to peace.
When we were talking through this, I was reminded of the prophet’s encouragement to Zerubbabel:
“Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies.” (Zechariah 4:6)
That’s the essence of Hiccup’s leadership. He doesn’t win by force. His courage isn’t loud. But the Spirit of his choices—disciplined, sacrificial, and rooted in discernment—transforms Berk. That’s the kind of influence the Spirit of God can use.
“For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.” (Romans 8:20–21)
The dragons in this film are not inherently evil. They’ve been conditioned by violence, fear, and domination. Hiccup doesn’t simply see them differently—he sees what they were meant to be. And that’s what discernment does. It restores vision.
But we’re warned in Scripture that this kind of wisdom isn’t fueled by rage or impatience.
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” (James 1:19–20)
That’s where Stoick fails—until he sees his son’s wisdom and softens. In contrast, Hiccup listens. He observes. He learns. And that’s what changes everything.
Eve and I both appreciated how the movie never lets that discernment become smug or self-righteous. Hiccup doesn’t think he’s better than the other Vikings. He simply chooses to walk a different path. And by doing so, he invites others into something more.
Conclusion
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) gave us a lot more than fire-breathing action. Eve and I saw deep reflections on generational conflict, the courage of peacemaking, the cost of reconciliation, and the quiet strength of discernment. Hiccup isn’t the hero Berk expected, but he’s the one they needed—a young man willing to see differently, act gently, and walk the harder road for the sake of peace.
That’s a challenge for us, too. In a world quick to divide and slow to listen, we’re called to a better way—not by power or tradition, but by the Spirit. May we be people who seek peace with wisdom, choose courage with humility, and trust that even the smallest acts of kindness can help heal a broken world.
Keep watching with purpose. And as always—stay alert. Because media matters.
You might also like our review of The Wild Robot!
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