The third installment of the trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World finds Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) in search of a haven to protect dragons from ruthless hunters.  Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon) wrote and directed the film, with America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett and Jonah Hill returning in their previous roles.  How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is rated PG.

DreamWorks’ animated fantasy epic continues with How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, set once again in the fictional Isle of Berk, where dragons and Vikings now live together in peace.  Building off of the previous two films, The Hidden World continues the franchise’ tradition of top-notch animation and creative visuals.  We are introduced to a variety of new dragons and environments which expand the already rich catalogue of fantastical creatures.

An essential ingredient in the first two films, the music remains the high point for me in The Hidden World.  The orchestral score is worthy of any epic fantasy, and adds a sense of triumph to the film’s already soaring visuals.  Melded expertly with the tone of the film, the music feels natural to the world, and chooses only the rarest of moments to display its prominence.

Again following in the footsteps of its predecessors, The Hidden World’s photorealistic animation and camera work give it a cinematic feel not often present in animated films.  The expansive world full of towering islands and glittering caves is captured magnificently when the camera follows the acrobatic flight of dragons through the air.  Vivid colors envelope the screen and put on display the artistic talent present in every scene. Even the fight sequences benefit greatly from the visuals, as they feel grounded and real.

While every “kids” movie tries to include something for older viewers, this film excels at telling a mature, layered story that will resonate with all audiences.  Hiccup faces legitimate dilemmas with high stakes for all those around him, and must sacrifice in order to protect those he loves. It is filled with plenty of ridiculous characters to provide comic relief, but most of the main characters show a great deal of depth and progression throughout the film.  One scene allows a Viking leader to show a great deal of vulnerability, dispelling the idea that there is something weak about feeling and expressing emotion.

Since seeing How to Train Your Dragon 2 in 2014, I had forgotten how enjoyable these films could be.  The Hidden World is an excellent conclusion to this trilogy, and wraps up with a very satisfying (if a bit predictable) ending.  I am sure that kids will love this as much as they did the earlier films, and would highly recommend it to any age as well.  

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World opens in cinemas on Feb. 22.