MOVIES IN REVIEW: How To Train Your Dragon 2

** Spoiler Alert**

This has been a sequel four years in the making, the first was released in 2010. The movie however picks up five years later as we're reintroduced to the dragon loving village of Berk. How To Train Your Dragon 2 opens with the villages new dragon rider game, using sheep and a sort of basket system with points. This helps us to get reintroduced to the characters, just in case you haven't been watching the Dreamworks Dragons (2012) tv series, or the How To Train Your Dragon Legends (2010). Did you know there is already a How To Train Your Dragon 3, set for 2016, in the works? Not surprising, given where we are left off at the end of this second installment.

Five Years Later - Now Astrid and Hiccup are 20 years old

As I was saying, during this competition in the village, we are being reintroduced to the characters. There is the mighty Chieftain Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler), his right hand man Gobber (voiced by Craig Ferguson), and then you have all of Hiccup's friends. Astrid (voiced by America Ferrera) is, as Stoick puts it, is his future daughter-in-law. Snotlout (voiced by Jonah Hill) and Fishlegs (voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse) are swooning over Ruffnut (voiced by Kristen Wiig) as her twin brother Tuffnut (voiced by T. J. Miller) tries to keep up. Then there is Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) who is the only son of Stoick's. There are new characters as well. We are introduced to Hiccup's Mother, Valka (voiced by Cate Blanchett) and by the end of the movie another new member of Berk, Eret (voiced by Kit Harrington).

Hiccup and Toothless Flying High

After the village's game is over, we are reconnected with Hiccup and Toothless as they're flying high and enjoying the freedom of their moment. Hiccup asks Toothless is he's ready to try again and he prepares to depart his Nightfury and starts plummeting through the skies. Toothless is never far behind, but suddenly Hiccup is flying as well! He's created wings, so to speak, of his own and they're gliding through the air. He still has some kinks to work out after they crash land on an island, but all is well. I love this scene and was actually laughing out loud at the interactions between Hiccup and Toothless. I could tell a lot of development and time went into that scene and it was awesome.

Toothless and Hiccup - clowning around as best friends do

However, I felt like the movie overall seemed a little rough around the edges. I liked it, don't get me wrong. What really irritated me was I had seen a commercial where they were trying to suggest that this movie was comparable to Frozen (2013), which I don't think it was. Dreamworks is 20 years old, compared to the decades of experience that Disney has. I think How To Train Your Dragon 2 (HTTYD2) was a great movie, and yes I'll probably see it again. But, I don't think it will surpass Frozen. That's just my opinion. This is one of the reasons: There were times in HTTYD2 that I felt the music didn't fit the scene. Music has a big impact on the emotion and connectivity between the movie and the viewer. There was one part in particular where I remember thinking this sounds like some epic battle scene and it was during a more peaceful, tranquil scene - it just didn't fit and it made me feel disconnected. That's just me being a movie snob though.

Eret proclaims to be the best trapper

Getting back to the movie now, Astrid catches up with Hiccup and as they go riding off they have a run-in with Eret. He's working for Drago (voiced by Djimon Hounsou) who is the villain and is out to capture all the dragons. However, Eret blames Hiccup and Astrid for the destruction of their base where they were trying to trap dragons. Once they've escaped Eret and return to Berk, they explain what is going on to Stoick who knows Drago and he knows how dangerous he is. Stoick is ordering the lock-down of Berk, but Hiccup is convinced that he can talk to Drago and find a way for peace. Hiccup manages to slip out before the gates close.

Once Hiccup is on his way, he is intercepted by a mysterious being and further more this mystery is riding a dragon. Another dragon picks off Hiccup from Toothless as the Nightfury plummets to the icy waters below. Where we see him struggling and we're left in fear of his life.

Valka has been the protector of the dragons

Hiccup explains to the stranger that his dragon can't fly on his own. The stranger stays silent until they return to their icy base camp. This is where it is revealed that the mystery character is actually Hiccups mother. His mother has been working these 20 years saving the dragons and she shows him how they live and even introduces him to the alpha. She explains the whole alpha situation, which is a big plot point further on in the movie. When Stoick catches up to Hiccup, he is also reunited with his wife and they share a lovely evening of rekindled love. I enjoyed watching the near euphoria of Hiccup watching his mother and father interact, something he has never seen before. But, much like life, all good things must come to an end...

Astrid's matured, still tough and bold

Meanwhile, Astrid and the others have managed to get away from Berk as well and are on a mission to reach Drago. They capture Eret and through Astrid's techniques, get him to lead them to Drago. Once they have arrived at the villains secret location, they are soon found out and captured. Drago immediately flexes his muscles demonstrating how he commands his dragons in an alpha way. When he tries to dispose of Eret, Astrid's dragon saves him and he's forever changed, Eret now understands that the dragons aren't bad. When the whole group are about to be disposed of, Eret leads the counter strike and they are able to free themselves and start out to find their dragons.

Back with Hiccup and his reconnected family, Valka (Hiccups Mother, Stoick's wife) has agreed to return home to Berk with them. They're interrupted by the attack of Drago and a war is underway. Stoick is a loving husband and follows Valka's lead, as she mounts her dragon to go into battle in the attempt to safe their current location and all the innocent dragons. Drago strikes hard and fast calling out the Alpha's as they ensue an epic battle. However, when Drago's alpha (who had an advantage) wins, he thinks he has won the war. When Hiccup lands before him pleading Drago to listen to him. Drago wants anything but peace and soon commands his alpha dragon to possess Toothless. This is heartbreaking because Toothless fights the alpha, but eventually is powerless to the alphas abilities. Drago then orders Toothless to kill Hiccup... however, Stoick sees what is going on and runs to save his son, only jumping between the Nightfury and his son taking on the blue blast.

Short Lived Family Reunion - Stoick, Hiccup and Valka

Everyone rushes to Stoick's side, but it's too late, he's dead. Hiccup, in anger tells Toothless (who has been released from the alpha's entrapment) to go away. Toothless didn't know what he had done, and is upset himself as Drago mounts Toothless and they fly off toward Berk. Hiccup and the gang, in honorary Viking style, send off their Chief Stoick in style. He's laid upon a boat drifting to sea, as Gobber and Hiccup say their last words Hiccup shoots an fiery arrow that hits the boat near his father's laid out body. The rest of the group follow suit, and it is a sad time. They know that they have to go and defend Berk... but how? Hiccup has the answer.

Yeah! That's the Alpha Drago has control of...

Drago grunting commands in the heat of battle

When they arrive home, Drago has already started his attack, the Alpha has called the dragons to his side and it seems hopeless. He knows he has to get Toothless back in order to save Berk and defeat Drago. The team works together to distract the alpha and to try to separate Drago and the Alpha. Hiccup pleads with Toothless to fight the alpha's influence and to come back to him, when he does he quickly dumps Drago and they are reconnected. However, it's short lived as the alpha traps them (in true Toothless style, he wraps himself around Hiccup protecting him) within his ice as his mother runs to try to free them. It seems nothing can be done. Then, there is a blue glowing from within the icy tomb as the ice is shattered -- Toothless is there and he is pissed. He challenges the Alpha - Valka has previously shown Toothless a unique feature he possessed (spikes on his back) and now another new feature - which you can see slightly in the header is how he emanates his blue fiery powers.

Toothless kicks butt and once and claims the alpha position leaving the other mega alpha to retreat into his watery abyss. The dragons bow to Toothless recognizing his new position among them as Hiccup is also named the new Chief - to which his father, previously in the movie, was trying to prepare him for. The end of the movie left you feeling good. The dragons were happy again, the characters we're invested in are happy, they're rebuilding their village at the same time enjoying their dragon riding game... all is good. I can totally see how there could be more movies now.

We didn't see Drago die, the last he was on his alpha and the alpha retreated into the water. Hiccup looked but there was no sign of Drago. Also, Hiccup is Chief now, he has to run Berk. He has his mother there with him now who is also more adventurous like him. I could totally see him and Astrid exchanging some sort of Viking vows in the future. Also, there as a funny character development between Ruffnut and the other boys, there could definitely be some friction there. As well, the new Eret character could also pose a threat if he were to be interested, Ruffnut especially had fallen for him pretty stalker'ishly.

Overall I think it's a fun movie for the family to venture out to see. Especially now that most schools are out for the summer. I know my boyfriend and I went on the night that was the last day of school. I was surprised that not more people were there given that it wasn't a school night. But, then again for most families it was still a work night for the parents. My favorite character is still Toothless. I've always loved dragons but he makes me love them even more.

Links

Official HTTYD2 Site

HTTYD2 on IMDb.com

MOVIES IN REVIEW - X-MEN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

** Spoilers could be revealed below - advance at your own risk **

I know, I know, it opened up like two weekends ago. The weekend it opened, another movie opened that my boyfriend really wanted to see (Blended). Then last weekend another movie opened that I'd been dying to see (Maleficent). If I could afford to go to the movies all the time, I definitely would. I've always loved movies and love going to see movies in the theater. That being said, X-Men Days of Future Past was overall nothing less than phenomenal. The movie really had me occupied the entire time and anticipating what's next. When I had first heard about the concept of the movie I was slightly skeptical. I've seen some movies that just seem to butcher the concepts of time travel. However, this movie did a fantastic job of keeping this viewer engaged and able to follow what was going on.

Peter Dinklage breathes life into Dr. Bolivar Trask

X-Men Days of Future Past spans open to a futuristic view of New York and the result of mutant captivity, even the humans that helped them. What could defeat the mutants that we all love? Cyborgs. Basically, in the past, 1973 to be specific, there was a professor, Dr. Bolivar Trask (portrayed by the very talented Peter Dinklage) who believed mutants to be a threat. While he admires the mutants and what they can do, it doesn't stop him from experimenting on them (killing them for their samples to study). He implores the government to fund his cyborgs that has a fail proof design to target mutants. His first attempt he was nearly laughed out of Senate. Then, after an incident in Paris where mutants were revealed to the world; Government now wants to be able to prove to the world that they can still protect the people. So, they give Trask the green-light.

Kitty sends Logan back to 1973

In the future however, the X-Men have a plan. Kitty (Ellen Page) can manipulate the consciousness to the past. The team decides if they are to save themselves and their kind, they have to go back to 1973 where they believed it all began: when Mystique, full of revenge toward Trask for the slaughter of her friends, kills him, and instead of the government closing his work, they progress it. Hence, they also capture Mystique and use her DNA toward the cyborgs so that they can adapt and counter act with the mutants - making them indestructible. They decided to send Logan/Wolverine back; Kitty explains that going decades back could destroy the mind and Logan has the ability to self-heal, therefore they decide he's the best candidate. 

Evan Peters as Quicksilver

So, as if consciousness time-travel and stopping Mystique wasn't challenging enough, Logan has to reunite Charles and Erik. Oh yeah, and Erik is in lock-down at the Pentagon, for having an involvement with the assassination of J.F.K  I really loved how they worked real history into the story plots. While the government tries to say that Erik/Magneto curved the bullet to kill J.F.K Erik explains to Charles/Professor X that he was trying to save him because he was a mutant. I think they did a great job too of portraying Nixon (Mark Camacho). With this triple threat - Logan enlists the help of Peter a.k.a Quicksilver. He's fast, funny, and could have been really useful for the rest of their missions. I don't know why they parted ways so soon. I really liked Peter (Evan Peters). 

Jennifer Lawrence is Mystique

Now, the question is can Charles and Erik work together to find Raven/Mystique and stop her from killing Trask? The simplified answer - yes. LOL! What was shocking to me was that Erik tries to kill Mystique. He thinks this is the only answer. However, Mystique turns the tables on Erik and through Charles help, she holds the fate of mutant kind within her hands. Jennifer Lawrence is Raven/Mystique and she did a fantastic job. She's definitely a force! You also see the struggle that she battles with, she's not normal and if she shows her true form it tends to freak people out. This can do serious damage to the psyche. Thank goodness she has Charles this time around to keep her sane.

Post-Credits Preview - Apocalypse

The only thing I hated about this movie was that it ended. It really did a good job of making you hold your breath toward the end. Can they change the course of time, the proverbial rippling effect, in order to save mutant kind? Take a deep breath! Not only do they save themselves, the future is bright and magnificent. While we don't know where Erik/Magneto flew off to, Logan wakes up in the future dazed and confused. He leaves his room and wonders the halls of Professor X's Academy. This was one of my favorite sequences. Because all the X-Men are here, even Rogue, Beast, Gene, and Scott. It also opens the future up for us the audience now for the future possibilities of further X-Men movies!! PLUS, if you watch after the credits, you get a sneak peak into what's to come. If you want a great read about the future, then check this article out Den of Geek Explaining the X-Men: Days of Future Past Post-Credits Scene.

CHARACTER BIOS

Visit X-Men: Days of Future Past Character Section

You'll definitely want to click on the links to check out the character bios

Not included here: Stryker, Havok and Toad

As a writer, this is what drove me to the extent of character development. Critics would say that there were too many characters, but as a person that grew up with comics, SciFi, and fantasy... the story was leading me. Looking at the X-Men and the list of characters, it's thrilling that they were all on-screen again!

So, my question is this: since Mystique is the one that took Logan into custody and not Stryker, does he still have his metal claws or would they still be bone (or organic material) now - if he didn't go through the Stryker experimentation?

Links

Official X-Men Days of Future Past Site

X-Men Days of Future Past on IMDb.com

MOVIES IN REVIEW - MALEFICENT

WICKEDLY GOOD

When I had first heard that Disney was working on Maleficent I was thrilled, yet a little skeptic. Growing up Sleeping Beauty (1959) was one of my favorite Disney Animated movies. I could sing you all of the songs and (when I was younger) could probably recite the movie word for word (or just nearly). Either way, Maleficent is a quintessential Villainess. From the time you first met her on-screen you knew she was wicked and terrifying. So my skepticism was in the form of who they would cast as the iconic characters. I've never been a huge Angelina Jolie fan, neither for Elle Fanning. However, after watching this movie I might just change my mind on a few things.

****SPOILERS****

This rendition of the Sleeping Beauty tale takes us through a different perspective as Aurora herself is the narrator and tells us the tale. Just like the title, the movie is all about Maleficent; she's more than just a villain - if you want to call her that anymore either. This rendition Maleficent is a rare fairy who lives in an enchanted kingdom. If my memory serves me correctly, their side of the kingdom is referred to as the 'Moores'. The other side of the kingdom is ruled by a greedy King who desires to acquire the rest of the kingdom for his own. Not on Maleficent's watch! She swoops down and calls upon her enchanted friends and they are fierce and drive those pesky humans away.

Maleficent introducing herself to the King's army...

Before all that nonsense however, when Maleficent is much younger, she meets Stefan. They're both orphans and seem to have an instant connection. But, Stefan gets greedy and spends less and less time with Maleficent. She only grows stronger though and hence, is able to lead the greedy King away along with his army. This leaves the King scornful, he calls for her head and instructs a room full of men (who are ready to take his throne once he has perished) whomever brings him the head of Maleficent would gain his throne and his daughter. Stefan, realizing he has an advantage, goes to see his old friend Maleficent. He couldn't kill her, and didn't get her head; rather, he cut off her wings. 

A young Maleficent meeting the thieving Stefan for the first time...

His actions corrupt sending Maleficent into darkness where she seeks her revenge. She enlists the help of a crow, who she saves his life and can easily use her magic to turn him into a human - to easily converse - and also into whatever form that best suites her needs (although he doesn't prefer dogs). I think this was a nice mirror of the Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and her pet crow that flew around keeping watch on things. In Maleficent she manipulated the Crow to replace her wings; she could no longer fly, so she needed the aerial perspective.  Diaval (the crow) kept an eye on Stefan, who was now King, and kept reporting back to Maleficent, as she grew darker into descent, she claimed a throne of her own within her realm as well. Then, when Diaval reported the birth of Stefan's daughter... she sees the prospect of a perfect revenge.

"I need you to be my wings" Maleficent to Diaval

This scene was really important for me, while the beginning was explaining more about Maleficent and a deeper story, this scene was important because from here is where Sleeping Beauty really is that iconic scene in my head. Jolie delivered such a realization that it gave me goose bumps up and down my arms while I was watching it! This was the definitive moment - could Angelina deliver? YES! It wasn't exactly like the movie, but they took parts and then added their own - and created some awesome scenes. The smile, the maniacal laugh, down to the sentence "Listen, all of you..." these things made me smile from ear to ear knowing that this was a rendition of a beloved Disney classic.

"I too would like to bestow a gift..." Yikes!

What I didn't quite expect was what happened afterward. The plot stayed pretty close, the three fairies take Aurora to a secluded part of the forest to raise her until her 16th birthday. In Sleeping Beauty they renamed Aurora, Briar Rose and the three fairies were Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. Maleficent's three fairies are more like bickering adolescents and the scary part is that they are charged with raising a princess. Maleficent sees this and under the radar take the reins. When baby Aurora is hungry, she feeds her. As a toddler, when a very young Aurora runs off of a high cliff, she saves her. Over the years Maleficent takes care of her and when she tries to revoke her enchantment or curse, it can't be stopped.

Flittle, Knotgrass and Thistletwit

This is definitely a different take on a classic tale. We do get to see Prince Phillip and Aurora meet for the first time, however it's nothing like how they met in Sleeping Beauty. Aurora isn't singing in the forest with her woodland animal friends pretending to be a prince. In Maleficent she's practicing what she is going to say to her 'Aunties' (the fairies) because she wants to stay with Maleficent (who she calls her fairy godmother - a hilarious scene)... when low and behold, a handsome prince just happens upon her in the secluded forest. He is looking for King Stefan's castle and he's lost. She points the way and they agree that he'll stop by again. In Sleeping Beauty Prince Phillip has a much larger role as Aurora's 'loves first kiss' savior. In Maleficent there is a totally different spin - that I love. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but after Jolie's scene I was completely convinced. 

What's meant to be - will be...

My boyfriend went a long with me and usually he ends up falling asleep during most movies. He stayed awake through out the entire film and even truly enjoyed it himself. There are so many different aspects within this one movie that there is definitely something that everyone can enjoy. Overall, I would say spend the money (for us it was $22 for two adults) and go check out this wickedly good movie! 

One of my favorite images with Angelina as Maleficent
and her daughter as a young Aurora...

While I thoroughly enjoyed Angelina Jolie's portrayal of Maleficent - she did do an amazing job. I had my doubts with Elle Fanning. While I understand her character was given the gift of always being happy, I thought her portrayal was minimum. I know there are Elle Fanning fans out there and I'm sure she's lovely. However, Aurora to me is still within the classic Sleeping Beauty. She didn't capture her elegance, her beauty or her charm (to me, my opinion). I'm still not a fan is all I'm saying. She didn't ruin the movie - I still think it's a great movie. I'm just saying for the things that I didn't particularly care for, she was one of them. I adored the scenes with Jolie's character interacting with all the different aged Aurora's (the toddler was her own daughter). There is a lot of endearments through out the movie; how she refers to Aurora as "Beastie", I love the new rendition of Maleficent. A definitely must see.

Links

Maleficent Official Disney Site

Like Maleficent on Facebook

IMDb Maleficent

Movies In Review

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters

Not having read the books, I have that rare ability to sit open minded in a movie theater, with no preconceived notions of what to expect, and just experience what is before me. Well, other than watching the first Percy Jackson movie. What originally drew me toward this franchise was the mythological implications. I've always enjoyed learning all the different aspects and perspectives within different mythologies (and that's why I include so much of it within my own written work).

In the beginning...

The movie opens with the foreshadowing story of Camp Half-blood's protective barrier. How

Camp Half-blood

through the death of a young half-blood daughter of Zeus produced the impenetrable protective barrier. Impenetrable, until now. During a victory celebration from the recent camp challenges, a wicked mechanical bull is able to break through this barrier. Once Percy destroys the beast, in the chaos the ensues, he sees through the wreckage fog non other than Luke, who he thought he had defeated before.

The Oracle

Luke explains to him how there are half-bloods who are joining forces and informs him of a prophecy that he needs to inquire about. How convenient that the camp has their own oracle! Percy learns of his prophecy and this begins the list of obstacles that will combine throughout their quest. The main objective: the get the golden fleece. Sounds easy? Well, to make matters worse there is a blood-hungry cyclops that has been guarding the fleece. 

Through the foreshadowed story-line of the protective barrier, the fallen half-blood still lives as she

The Fallen - Thalia

was consumed by the forest that surrounds the camp. The new life that she projects is not only the barrier itself, but this symbolical tree. To which Luke had poisoned to gain access into the camp. The fleece needs to be retrieved in order to save the tree, to which will reinstate the protective barrier for the camp.

Half-brother - Tyson

While at camp, another new arrival, Percy's half-brother who is a cyclops. Is it mere coincidence that his new half-brother is part cyclopes an they have to go and face one as well? Their plan is to use this to their advantage, if they even have one. Percy's new brother is nothing like what they have stereo-typed cyclopes. Tyson, Percy's new half-brother, is very noisy and clumsy, he's not use to their ways. Watching the special effects was interesting and my opinion is that they did a great job with creating their version of this Titan.

The main goal is to stop Luke from retrieving this golden fleece. Luke wants to use the fleece to

Percy holds the golden fleece

resurrect Khronos who would only bring death and destruction to the entire earth, including Olympus.  As you can imagine, Luke does obtain the fleece, through the help of Percy and his friends (without them knowing it), and the process begins of this resurrection. As fate would have it, Percy (who was given his father's sword) has the very weapon that cut-down Khronos before.

Clarisse delivers the golden fleece

Inevitably, once they have returned to camp and fulfilled the quests mission to restore the protective barrier, the camp soon learns that the fleece did much more than just heal the previously poisoned tree, it healed the fallen half-blood. She soon explains so she is, the half-blood daughter of Zeus - who apparently could put a new twist on Percy's prophecy.

Overall - I enjoyed the movie. What I didn't enjoy were the gang of young disrespectful and

Tyson, Percy & Annabeth
meeting their water taxi

immature idiots that sat behind us. Why yes, of course I would love to hear your excessive references to bodily-noise functions, and of course I would just love to continually hear your inability to conduct yourselves in a civilized manner. As much as I wanted to remark to them that maybe the next time they go out in public to remember to take their anti-psychotic medicine, my mother actually raised me better. 

Nathan Fillion as Hermes

I can't reference the the book to screen adaption, as I have not read the original origins - yet. But, this movie definitely set-up for the next, as Hollywood likes to do.  My favorite parts were the groups water taxi ride to Luke's yacht, the beginning during the camp challenge, and definitely Nathan Fillion's character - had some great lines!