“How To Train Your Dragon” has been one of my favorite animated movies since its arrival. I was fearful that “How To Train Your Dragon 2” would not be able to live up to the original; afraid even that it would ruin the franchise. I am happy to say that that is not the case.

In fact, it did the opposite. “How To Train Your Dragon 2” enhanced the franchise.

One of my worries was that the story would not live up to the original movie. The first film was extremely well-written, which is why it is one of my favorite animated movies.

This second film missed this mark only because it created its own mark.

The story, once again, was great. It was engaging, exciting, moving, touching and fun – even more so than the first. Of course some of it was a little unbelievable, and yet the film is about dragons, so who cares.

Another fear was that the film would be unoriginal, predictable and riddled with clichés. I was able to foresee some of what was going to happen and no film is void of clichés, but originality was something that this film did not lack.

The one thing I was not worried about was the visual aspect. The first film was beautiful and I knew the animators would not falter with “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” The movie was as visually stunning as I had hoped. I could not keep myself from muttering “wow” as the opening scene appeared.

The dragons themselves are a wonder. Each one is unique, some more majestic than others, but all amazing. The giant alpha dragons are incredible. Of course, extra work went in to perfect Toothless, and how handsome he was.

I also loved that they used the storyboards as the background to the credits because each one is a work of art just as beautiful as the film itself.

Each one of the voice actors did a great job once again. All of the core cast returned in their roles. Jay Baruchel (Hiccup) does an incredible job portraying emotion through an animated character. I feel he is even more believable as a voice than a normal actor.

I also love the heart that Gerard Butler and America Ferrera put into their voices.

The additions of Cate Blanchett (Hiccup’s mother, Valka), Djimon Hounsou (Drago Bludvist) and Kit Harington (Eret, son of Eret) were well cast.

Blanchett is no stranger from fantasy as she has appeared in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies.

Hounsou, similarly, has appeared in fantasy films such as “Eragon” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Both Blanchett and Hounsou bring extra experience and acclaim to the cast as both have Academy Award nominations, with Blanchett having two wins.

Harington is also no stranger to fantasy, as he plays Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones.”

The score from the film, composed by John Powell, was also masterful. It complimented the movement of the story and did not distract from the emotions of the film, but enhanced them.

“How To Train Your Dragon 3” is tentatively set to come out in 2018. It has some large footprints to follow after the success of the first two films. The creators have a lot work to do, especially after “How To Train Your Dragon 2” raised the bar and surpassed my expectations.

4.5/5