DreamWorks’ ‘Dragon 3’ Receives High-Flying Early Raves

DreamWorks Animation’s third and final chapter of the epic fantasy series, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, is one of the most anticipated animated features of 2019. After making a splash at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on New Year’s Day via its award-winning float, the movie received top grades from critics in early reviews and promises to be a very strong contender in next year’s Oscar race. Early reviews unanimously praise the film’s bold creative choices, the stunning visuals and its powerful emotional impact, as well as offering kudos to Toothless’ shimmering new mate, Light Fury.

The film is beautifully directed by veteran helmer Dean DeBlois and produced by Brad Lewis (Ratatouille) and Bonnie Arnold. The voice cast includes Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Kit Harington, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Gerard Butler, Taron Egerton, Justin Rupple, Kristen Wiig, and new addition F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel, the film’s heartless dragon-hunter. Universal will release the films in U.S. theaters on Feb. 22^nd. The pic opens in Australia today (Jan. 3) and continues release in countries such as Indonesia, Netherlands, Brazil, Norway, Finland, S. Korea, Turkey, Hong Kong and Italy throughout January. It opens in the U.K., Ireland, Mexico and S. Africa on Feb. 1^st.

Here is a review sampler:

“All told, by the time How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World nears the end of its Harry Potter-esque closing trajectory, in which Hiccup must learn how to let go, the bittersweet result will have audiences finding it equally hard to say goodbye.”

– Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter

“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World packs the emotional heft of the dozen or so years it has taken to get this far, tracking the loss of one parent, the discovery of another, and several momentous lessons in bravery and loyalty along the way.

– Peter Debruge, Variety

“Writer-director Dean DeBlois caps his emotionally intelligent adaptation of the Vikings-and-dragons book series with an enjoyable, beautiful story of destiny and freedom.”

– Robert Abele, The Wrap

“The Hidden World strikes a bittersweet chord in reminding its young audience that all good things — including the age of dragons – must come to an end.”

– Michael Nordine, IndieWire