While Disney takes their properties and makes changes for the live action adaptation. Universal’s DreamWorks re-creates the original in live action almost to a 1:1 translation. Question is? Who does it best? & Is it worth it? Let’s Discuss

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2025 Live Action “Review”

Seen the original or not. This live action adaptation was really good. Fantastic casting across the board. One character that was mostly changed from the animated was still solid but less memorable with her lines. Not sure what translated differently without comparing the two.

From the performances, music & the story being re-told. This was truly solid. I’d watch again and love it. A 9/10? Not quite. If the original holds that then the live action sits within the great 8 tier. For me personally an 8.5/10 due to Gerard Butler (Stoick the Vast) & Mason Thames (Hiccup Horrendous) performances with one another got me in the feels. Top notch performance from Nick Frost playing Gobber. Surprise hit that I loved was Harry Trevaldwyn as Tuffnut Thortston. Sadly Ruffnut was weaker (Bronwyn James) however still a solid performance. Nico Parker playing Astrid Hofferson was completely fine in this role and looking forward to what she does with the character going into the sequels. Lastly another slightly weaker character was Fishlegs Ingerman being played by Julian Dennison. Not bad at all. Just slightly different to animated.

Despite the 1:1 translation from animated to live action. I had to remember this has live actors performing :P. If you closed your eyes you’d honestly be able to fit both versions in and have them play side by side. Fantastic. So what kept it in the 8 tier?

The Dragons are too close to the animated versions. I love the models. But would have honestly loved a realer version of the Dragons. Maybe practical effects over CGI could have set them apart while holding true to the original? Something to give the live action it’s own identity set apart from the live actors and sets.

The other thing keeping it back was just a couple of scenes that felt like green screen. Only happened a couple of times but was a little jarring and bringing me out of the experience.

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2025 Live Action VS 2010 Animated Original “Thoughts”

It’s almost perfect. So close to being so that I’ve made references in the stand alone thoughts above. I haven’t seen the original in quite some time but looking back at pictures and all, you’re not getting the abomination that Lilo & Stitch was when comparing.

Ruffnut was slightly changed in appearance. Maybe some different lines? or something that I still prefer the animated version better. However her twin brother Tuffnut was spot on and loved it!

Would I advise from watching the Live Action to the Animated? NO, but I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve never seen the animated and maybe want to check it out to compare or re-watch the series in wait for Live Action #2 :D.

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Wrap up

Little to critique is looking promising for this coming weekend. RT has this feature sitting at 79%, IMDb at an 8.1/10 and for some odd reason, Metacritic sits at 60%. Here on Popped however, staying with the higher score of 8.5/10 and looking forward to news of the sequel.

Maybe one day I’ll find my way to Epic Universe and experience the park/rides.

Appreciate you coming by Popped for your “Review” of How to Train your Dragon. I may or may-not “review” Ballerina as currently I don’t feel right reviewing it. Having gone in so tired, I missed roughly 40minutes asleep. Currently it’s a fine 6.5 to good 7/10 but I’d like to re-watch / fill in the gaps before we discuss that one.

Until next time though, happy movie going!