What a great movie for families with a strong message for all, ‘Kindness Wins!’ During the Viking Age, in the opening scene on the Island of Berk, we are introduced to a young teenage boy named Hiccup (Mason Thames), the son of the Viking chief (Gerard Butler). The elders hunt the dragons as they wreak havoc on their village. Teens are taught to kill dragons at the Berk Dragon Training Academy, as young Vikings also learn about dragon training. This academy transitions from focusing on fighting and slaying dragons to training them in film. The main human character is a teenage boy named Hiccup, who is not comfortable killing dragons; in fact, he befriends a dragon named Toothless and hides it from others.
We cringe at times, as Hiccup has a significant burden to carry, being the son of the Viking chief, and he’s uncomfortable with his expected duties. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is his full name. His age is 16, and he has become a recluse as he learns blacksmithing from Gobber; thus, tapping into his creative mind, he begins to invent mechanical devices to overcome his physical weakness. Again, this is why the film is so great, as it teaches kids and teens to use their creative abilities to solve problems. We see him construct different saddle designs as well as devices such as wings for the dragons to fly faster and into the narrow surroundings.
I’ve always been a fan of strong female characters, and Astrid is a competitive, tough, and outspoken character who is extremely loyal to her cause and those she cares about. She’s described as quick-thinking, intelligent, and resourceful, and she values skill, strategy, and precision. A natural leader and strategist, and is second in command at the Berk Dragon Academy. She’s a talented dragon trainer whose expertise is in the Deadly Nadders variety. She’s considered the best warrior in her class. Here, she wears French braids and colorful clothes. She is Hiccup’s love interest and cares about him deeply; she listens to him, although at times, she shakes her head at his unorthodox methods.
On a side note, if any of you are interested in the time period in which the Viking Age occurred, here are some facts. The Viking Age is generally considered to have lasted from 793 to 1066 CE. It began with the attack on the Lindisfarne monastery in 793 and effectively ended with the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, which resulted in the death of the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada, often regarded as the last prominent Viking leader. This period is characterized by Scandinavian seafarers raiding, trading, and settling in various parts of Europe. I’ll be visiting Scandinavia in three weeks and plan to visit the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway. Stay tuned for updates.
I can’t rave about this movie enough, as it’s great for so many reasons. The storylines are strong, showing creativity, resourcefulness, and leadership. Both Mason Thames and Gerard Butler are great in their roles. I loved the line that’s said to Hiccup: “It’s not what you think you look like on the outside, it’s what’s inside. So stop trying to be someone you’re not.
Additionally, the movie’s scenery is gorgeous, thanks to the very detailed set designs. The flying scenes, featuring people and dragons, are breathtaking and very realistic; you can almost feel the wind blowing on your face. It’s a feel-good, heartfelt movie that’s wonderful for the entire family.
Hollywood 360 Podcast will post after this Saturday evening… Stay Tuned!
Sarah Knight Adamson© June 15, 2025