Pop Culture Happy Hour: Exploring the Live-Action "How to Train Your Dragon" Remake

Episode Title: How to Train Your Dragon
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Hosts: Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, Aisha Harris
Guests: Regina Barber (Host and Reporter for NPR’s Science Podcast Shortwave), Jordan Morris (Writer and Co-host of Jordan Jesse Go and Free With Ads)

Introduction to the Remake

Stephen Thompson opens the discussion by highlighting Disney's success with remaking animated classics and notes DreamWorks' entry into this trend with their live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon". He describes the movie as "full of epic battles, majestic countrysides, and, of course, dragons galore" (00:50).

Background: The original "How to Train Your Dragon" (2010) animated film follows Hiccup, a reluctant dragon trainer, and his bond with a wounded dragon named Toothless. DreamWorks' remake mirrors the original's plot but transitions from animation to live-action, featuring Mason Thames as Hiccup and Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoic, Hiccup’s father.

Initial Reactions to the Remake

Jordan Morris expresses his appreciation for the original animated trilogy, stating, “I’m a fan of these movies. I'm a fan of the animated trilogy. I think I've seen them all, probably” (02:15). However, he voices skepticism about the necessity of a live-action remake, questioning, “why are we doing this? Why are we remaking these animated movies in live action?” (02:38).

Regina Barber echoes similar sentiments, comparing the shot-for-shot remake to a high school production imitating a Broadway show. She remarks, “I don't know why anyone who liked the animation would wanna watch this, but if you haven't watched the animation, it's an okay movie” (03:28).

Creative and Technical Aspects

The hosts delve into the technical execution of the remake. Stephen Thompson shares his personal enjoyment of the film despite initial reservations, attributing it to his love for the story and characters: “I enjoyed it enormously. Because I love this story. I love the original film. I love these characters. I love the dragons” (05:10).

Jordan Morris comments on the live-action effect, comparing it to watching “a different kind of animation” and suggesting that incorporating puppetry akin to "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" might have been more effective: “Have some Henson puppets… that seems like that’s the creative reason to do it in live action” (06:10).

Regina Barber discusses the uncanny valley effect, noting the difficulty in integrating humans with CGI dragons seamlessly: “They’re just putting people into the animated movie and it just seemed very uncanny” (06:43).

Narrative and Storytelling Critique

The panel critiques the narrative choices in the remake. Stephen Thompson points out the longer runtime compared to the animated version: “the animated film managed to tell this story in under an hour and 40 minutes, whereas this movie is more than two hours” (09:23). He suggests that the added length results from the necessity to explain more details due to the realistic portrayal.

Regina Barber highlights the changes in specific scenes, such as the alteration from a "catnip scene" to a "dandelion scene," and questions the necessity of these changes: “Why did they get rid of the catnip scene, too? They changed the catnip scene to be this dandelion scene” (11:20).

Character and Performance Analysis

The casting choices receive mixed reviews. Regina Barber feels that Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup, appears too generic: “he just seemed so generic to me, like a TV movie” (12:36). Jordan Morris agrees, noting a lack of comedic timing compared to the original voice actors who were "comedy pros": “they are acting like they’re in a Netflix YA show” (13:10).

Despite these criticisms, there's acknowledgment of some positive aspects. Regina Barber praises the film’s commitment to colorblind casting, appreciating the inclusive portrayal of characters: “And I was like, great. They explained it. Let’s move on” (14:44).

Conclusion on the Live-Action Trend

Steven Thompson concludes by expressing a nuanced view: while the remake doesn’t offer a new story, it succeeds in delivering an enjoyable experience for fans of the original. However, he remains puzzled by the ongoing trend of remaking animated films into live-action, suggesting it's primarily a financial decision rather than a creative one: “I just wish they would stop making them” (15:30).

What's Making Us Happy This Week

Jordan Morris recommends the comic book "The Last Mermaid" by Derek Kirk Kim, praising its unique one-sentence pitch and beautiful, mostly wordless storytelling: “It’s called the Last Mermaid by Derek Kirk Kim and it’s great” (18:02).

Regina Barber shares her joy in watching the new season of "The Amazing Race", highlighting her family's enjoyment and the show's ability to bring them together: “We all watched it as a family and the whole time we’re just like, you know, picking our favorites” (19:14).

Stephen Thompson shines a spotlight on the emerging artist Anastasia, commending her versatile album "Tether" and her standout track "Overflow": “That is what is making me happy” (19:27).

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Live-Action vs. Animation: The transition from animation to live-action in beloved franchises raises questions about creativity versus financial motivations. While some enjoy the new rendition, others feel it lacks originality and essential storytelling elements present in the animated versions.

2. Technical Execution: Balancing CGI and practical effects remains challenging. Effective integration, as seen in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," is rare in live-action remakes, leading to mixed audience reactions.

3. Narrative Depth vs. Runtime: Live-action adaptations often extend the story’s duration, potentially diluting the original’s impact by adding unnecessary scenes or explanations.

4. Casting and Character Portrayal: Authentic character representation and capturing the original's spirit are critical. Casting choices that appear generic or fail to capture the original’s comedic essence can detract from the film’s reception.

5. Positive Developments: Initiatives like colorblind casting, when thoughtfully integrated into storytelling, enhance inclusivity and enrich the narrative without detracting from the story’s core.

6. Audience Engagement: Despite criticisms, fans of the original series can find joy and value in live-action remakes, especially when core messages and beloved characters are preserved.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Thompson (05:10): “I enjoyed it enormously. Because I love this story. I love the original film. I love these characters. I love the dragons.”

• Jordan Morris (02:38): “Why are we doing this? Why are we remaking these animated movies in live action?”

• Regina Barber (03:28): “I don't know why anyone who liked the animation would wanna watch this, but if you haven't watched the animation, it's an okay movie.”

• Regina Barber (14:44): “And I was like, great. They explained it. Let’s move on.”

• Stephen Thompson (15:30): “I just wish they would stop making them.”

Conclusion

This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a comprehensive critique of the live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon," balancing admiration for its storytelling with skepticism about the broader trend of remaking animated classics. The hosts and guests provide a nuanced perspective, advocating for creative originality over financial convenience, while still acknowledging the enjoyment such remakes can offer to dedicated fans.

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