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Post by Silver on Sept 6, 2014 15:38:14 GMT -5
BRP- Thank goodness the global audience embraced it! To be blunt, most of the North American audience have no idea what they are missing. Ari- Oh yes. All your fault. You decided to skip it and the rest of North America followed. For shame! LOL! Just kidding. I know you were busy with a little thing called life. I hope the time flies and November is here before we realize it. But kind of an ironic situation happened. I go onto the HTTYD twitter site (technically it's Dreamworks) hoping to find out more about the short movie that will featured on the blu-ray. Then see an advertisement for a breif engagement for this weekend. My heart was about to leap out of my chest for joy! Only to re-read the fine print. It's only for select theatres. Translation: Los Angeles and New York.  I would seriously go see it again if it were playing at my local Cinema That's how much I love this film. |
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Sept 8, 2014 23:54:59 GMT -5
Don't get me started on how Dragon 2 absolutely destroyed Maleficent in terms of film quality and sheer awesomeness of dragon. And there is no excuse for how Disney failed in the dragon category for Maleficent.
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Post by Silver on Sept 9, 2014 19:17:49 GMT -5
Without entering the controversial topic of "this film vs. that film".
I would like to point out some key paragraphs from professional critics who reviewed it as one of the finest blockbusters of the summer. Don't worry. All spoiler free.
Peter Debruge of Variety Magazine- "This sequel breathes in new fire instead of merely rehashing the orginal. Much like it's unflappable hero Hiccup. Director Dean Deblois prevails."
Jocelyn Noveck of The Associated Press- " A sequel that does not play it safe and it prevents it from entering stale territory."
Lou Lumenick of The New York Post- "HTTYD 2 soars when our hero is aloft imparting some life lessons of family, ecology, and ideas of war."
Elizabeth Weitzman of The New York Daily News- " An unflinching edge that ends up giving it unexpected depth."
Jody Mitori of the the St.Louis Dispatch- "For audiences ready to witness the next stage. You are about to witness a boy becoming a man."
Bill Goodykootz of the Arizona Republic- "It seemed as if there was nowhere new to go after the first film. This is actually a richer story that dares to go darker. Thus is more rewarding to watch."
Peter Travers of the Rolling Stone Magazine- "It takes sequels to another level of imagination and innovation. It truly is a high flying wonder to behold."
Rafer Guzman of Newsday- "Gruesome? A little. (PG gruesome that is) Scary? You bet! But that's exactly why Dragon 2 is so much better then your average children's fare."
Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune- "For once we have a sequel free of the committe job vibe so common in Hollywood."
Claudia Puig of USA Today- " Exuberant as the orginal. It avoids sequelitis."
Colin Tuernt of the Star Tribune- " The impressive part is the storytelling confidence of Dean Deblois. He created a thoughtful tale as meaningful to adults as it is pleasurable to it's primary audience."
Stephanie Mary of the Washington Post- "This maybe one of the few if not only time someone says this. But if the sequel is this good. Why stop now?! Let's get three, four and even five going." (That is one HECK of statement!)
Moira McDonald of The Seatle Times- " Line up for the wit, inventiveness of the charatcers, breath-taking visuals, and the sheer fun of it all."
Tirard Derkhsahni of The Philidelphia Inquirer- "One of this year's true surprises. The superior sequel is not only infused with the same independent spirit and off kilter aesthetic that enriched the orginal. It also deepens it's major themes."
John Semely of The Globe and Mail- " More then just teaching children to think about the world they are coming into. It's a rare family oriented film that encourages audiences to think for themselves."
Rene Rodriguez of The Miami Hearld- " HTTYD 2 is a stand alone picture with a surprising range of emotions that surpasses the orginal. A brisk pace that give it purpose and direction."
Bill Zwecker of The Chicago Sun-Times " Not only does the sequel match the charm, wit, animation skill and intelligent storytelling of the orginal. I think it even exceeds it."
Lisa Kennedy of the Dever Post- " HTTYD 2 is soaring, emotionally swooping and utterly satisfying fun."
Leonard Maltin of IndieWire- " How to Train Your Dragon 2 escapes the sequel curse and is rightfully one the few happy exceptions. It builds a strong foundation of charatcers to guarentee rooting interest to make certain the stakes are serious enough to matter. The ample humor and impressive action are masterful but this film shines from underpinnings are what make it so rich and satisfying. This is not animated fluff. It's a movie of true substance that offers real rewards."
I whole heartedly agree!
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Sept 10, 2014 2:48:32 GMT -5
I put a lot of stock especially in Leonard Maltin's review as he is an avid Disney animation historian. He is very knowledgable about some of the greatest animated films ever made and I think that both Dragon films belong on that list. And frankly, ahead of many Disney releases, quite possibly including the juggernaut known as Frozen, which I do like.
And my earlier Maleficent quip is intended as a tremendous compliment to both HTTYD films. Filmmakers such as Peter Jackson, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg all cite Sleeping Beauty's dragon fight sequence as highly influential on them. And I was very disappointed that a parallel universe retelling of that version completely muffed the dragon fight. Dragon 2 did a very nice job of introducing new characters, both human and dragon, and further developing existing characters.
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Post by Mrs. Nesbit on Sept 20, 2014 16:25:56 GMT -5
I still haven't seen the second movie. I love, love, love the first one.
*goes off to find download*
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Post by Silver on Oct 1, 2014 23:06:31 GMT -5
Good news and bad news if you are fan of this franchise. Good news for those who like to purchase films digitally. How to Train Your Dragon 2 will be released on October 21st. For those of us who prefer the old fahsion idea of buying or renting films. We must wait an extra three weeks. November 11th is the date. Combo packs will be available as well as the standard single blu-ray or DVD. But I personally will be getting the combo. Plus I will get the short film along with it.  Come on father time! Move that clock of yours. |
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Post by icyheart16 on Oct 17, 2014 8:31:26 GMT -5
Hurry up November 11th! Can't wait to curl up on my couch and watch this!
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Post by Silver on Oct 19, 2014 22:03:10 GMT -5
Hurry up November 11th! Can't wait to curl up on my couch and watch this! We have 23 days to go my friend. Hang in there. Remember, beware of youtube. The digital release will be this tuesday. Which means spoilers galore! There will probably be an abundant of fan video tributes. If not the acuatl movie on there. You've seen enough spoilers as it is. Anymore you'll know the entire movie like the back of your hand. No fun in that. |
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Post by Silver on Oct 22, 2014 19:53:55 GMT -5
Double post time.
The Golden Globe nominations are set to be announced on December 11th. Now just because a film is not nominated for this award doesn't mean it will be snubbed by the Oscars. However they generally follow in the same line. if this is nominated for Best Animated film. The chances are greater an Academy award nod will come after. I can handle if it looses. I'm aware it's competition has the critical acclaim over it. Yet I would be devestated if it's not nominated at all. I swear that is not bias. I truly believe this film deserves it's place in the nominee category.
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Oct 23, 2014 21:33:56 GMT -5
What is its competition?
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Post by Silver on Oct 23, 2014 22:06:35 GMT -5
The Lego Movie (so far) will be hardest to beat out. It has a 96% approval rating. The majority of the time. Whatever film has the highest approval rating by mainstream critics is likely to sweep the award season. Big Hero 6 is yet to be released but whispers grow louder each day this film is set to have a solid nomination at the very least. I do wish to see the critic approval rating to see if it matches or tops The Lego Movie. The Book of Life has a current rating of 79%. With it's colorful style I can easily see it being nominated. The Box Trolls has a 75% rating but the Academy has a soft spot for stop-motion pictures. Even if they rarely win. So it remains a formidable force. In case you are wondering. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is at 92%. If the award committees are feeling generous. Then they will nominate all five. However they have been leaning towards three to keep it simple. |
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Oct 24, 2014 19:10:27 GMT -5
Honestly, I think Dragon 2 is a far superior film to The Lego Movie. While Lego wasn't horrible, I don't think it had the emotional depth of storytelling that Dragon 2 contained. I haven't seen the others yet, but I think Dragon 2 would beat them out. Big Hero 6 is the wild card here since we have no idea how it's going to turn out.
Off what we've seen in the U.S. I think Dragon 2 should win best animated unless Big Hero 6 sneaks in. But it may face a challenge because it's a comic book movie and the market is saturated with those right now. Doesn't mean it will be bad, but it may have to transcend two genres and deal with being the Disney release after Frozen.
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Post by Silver on Oct 24, 2014 20:36:55 GMT -5
Regardless of what we hope for. In this case, a win by this film. It can not be ignored that The Lego Movie has the strongest chance. I won't deny I am at times surprised HTTYD 2 has such a high approval rating. For as many positive reviews there were. There were just as many mixed or negative. Almost all reviews on The Lego Movie were positive. I did not wish to include those reviews for HTTYD 2 my earlier comment. However it seems I must if I am to be realistic on it's chances of winning. This what the New York Times said- "The story comes to a halt with the inevitable forces of darkness vs the forces of light." Entertainment Weekly- " The flight path needs a lot straightening out. Flying sequences can not provide enough escape to ignore it's conventinal execution." (Calling out the writer is not a good sign) Zimbio.com-" Nowhere near as revolutionary in it's visuals or story as The Lego Movie." (Yep, that's a burn) Newark Star Ledger- "This film was not needed other then for the Dreamworks accoutants." (That's a slam!) The Wrap- "Not nearly enough to feel. Plenty to look at." (Ouch) The Insider- "Too dark for children to find pleasurable. To simple for adults to be involved." (Full on bash) This is my face as I am typing these. The Lego Movie recieved positive feedback from each of the above sources and nearly all of the other reporters from my early comment. No question. The Lego Movie is at a huge adcvantage. Big Hero 6 may be one to break the boundries of comic book turned film. Only way to know for sure if it can squeeze by The Lego Movie is wait for it's release date and then find out what the critic consencus will be. What I want to happen vs. what I think will happen are two different answers. I would be ecstatic if HTTYD 2 won. What I'm wagering will win (at the moment) is The Lego Movie. |
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Post by icyheart16 on Oct 26, 2014 11:39:34 GMT -5
Wow! Cannot believe the Lego Movie has the highest rating! Maybe all five will be nominated.
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Post by Silver on Oct 28, 2014 15:39:14 GMT -5
I'm at peace with my favorite film so far this year (and a high probability) as remaining as such for the rest of it. Not winning any major awards. It's official due to early screenings of Big Hero 6 already has a 97% approval rating from critics. So thea real race comes down to that and The Lego Movie.
As of right now. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is giving off the impression it's only a filler in the nomination category as it appears the critics are in agreement. If it's lucky to score the nomination. HTTYD 2 is good but The Lego Movie and Big Hero 6 are great! Oh well, at least I loved it and felt director/writer Dean Deblois delivered on his promise to HTTYD fans our time and money was well spent. That's all I can really ask for.
Plus there is one more chance with the trilogy when released in 2017. So not all hope is lost on this franchise not winning a prestigious award.
One thing does get my goat though. To the website Box Office Mojo. HTTYD 2 is not a finacial failure!!!!!!!!!!!!
$615 million for global round up is an impressive feat. Don't attempt to knock it down just because the domestic box office wasn't as successful as Frozen. It crossed the half a billion mark which is a first for Dreamworks in two years. Topping it's predecessor's $494 million. Even Dean Deblois is getting his opinion out through his twitter - "Over $600 million and going strong. Not bad for a box office flop I say."
You tell them Dean!
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