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FILMS
DreamWorks/CNS
Hiccup, voiced by Jay Baruchel, in “How to Train Your Dragon.
Forgiveness training -- for Vikings
Training is the most important part of any human-pet relationship. Lack of training leads to misunderstanding and frustration.
In “How to Train Your Dragon” (DreamWorks), the stakes are a bit higher than a stained carpet or chewed shoe. The small detail of breathing fire makes it a life or death issue for both the dragons and the Vikings on the island of Berk.
The animated vikings and dragons have lived as enemies for as long as anyone can remember. That is until the young Hiccup, voiced by Jay Baruchel, discovers the softer side of a dragon he names Toothless.
Hiccup is the son of Stoick -- the leader of the Vikings, voiced by Gerard Butler -- and has every intention of killing Toothless after catching him in a net.
But he can’t go through with it. Instead, Hiccup fosters a relationship with the supposedly fierce creature and learns how to tame him without injuring him any further.
The Vikings, who all refer to Hiccup as a disappointment, do think much of his compassionate methods. That is until Hiccup becomes an important part of the operation to destroy the dragon mother nest. Hiccup’s community rethinks his compassion for the misunderstood -- and untrained -- creatures.
The film is cute and funny and entertaining, but not great. Some of the humor is a bit off color and the treatment of Hiccup by his father and the rest of the village is often cruel. But in the end, a sweet message about forgiveness and the resolution of long standing enmity outweighs the film’s shortcomings.
The voicing and animation of the film are not noticeably accomplished. But seeing modern teenage stereotypical -- a tough girl, overly confident boy, fighting twins and a couple nerdy types -- characters in the Viking village are an entertaining touch. Craig Ferguson provides the strongest presence as the boisterous Gobber, responsible for training Hiccup and his teenage compatriots to fight dragons using traditional -- and violent -- Viking methods.
Hiccup’s relationship to his father is uncomfortably flawed, with his father often voicing disapproval of his son. However, Hiccup, the misfit, teaches the entire village to approach their supposed enemies with compassion and understanding.
That message, on a metaphorical level, is important for children. Hiccup continually chooses and then advocates compassion over violence -- even though this choice is met with scorn and disapproval.
Forgiveness becomes a central theme -- Hiccup and his father reconcile, the Vikings and dragons find peace.
“Forgiveness also bears witness that, in our world, love is stronger than sin. The martyrs of yesterday and today bear this witness to Jesus. Forgiveness is the fundamental condition of the reconciliation of the children of God with their Father and of men with one another,” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2844).
The reconciliation between the dragons and Vikings shows how forgiveness and love improves all aspects of life. The mediocre film has enough strong messages packed in its 90 minutes of entertainment to merit the attention of families and Viking fans alike.
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