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httydfan03 · 4 years ago

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The (rather) hideous subtext of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

The Hidden World- well, a ravine of sorts.

It has completely split up the franchise, into pro(everything in this review) and against (well…ditto).

And there seem to be more of the latter. If that’s you, enjoy this review.

The main reason people gush over this film, are well, a collection of sorts. Animation. Lighting. Moonray- a newly installed DreamWorks technological brand that only recently came into action. Many people were captivated by the Nightlights, by “ooh look at that cute dragon” and whatnot.

The cute dragons and epic vistas of New Berk aren’t bad. It’s what’s under them.

What lies beneath

Cute dragons and fake facades hide what really lies beneath- what this film is all about. Separating Hiccup and Toothless. Many a time have I seen people parrot on about how Toothless found love- it’s okay for him to completely neglect and abandon Hiccup.

Many a time have I seen people go on about how Toothless and his call to the wild supersedes his friendship with Hiccup.

Many a time have I seen people justify the Light fury and make her existence seem glorified- when she exists merely to separate Hiccup and Toothless- that inseparable duo that many- if not most fans- hate to see the separation of.

In essence- people backing up a separation that never should have been. People backing up the complete and utter breakage of a friendship that never should have been broke.

Many billions have by now seen this film- and not all of them are fans. Most of them are passers-by- giving blind praise (to this film) where it is not due.

I am not saying this film doesn’t deserve praise. Sure- the animation is fabulous. The lighting and SFX/VFX is superb. There are many things about the Hidden World that I like. None of them are to do with the plot, the way they handled the separation, the mere notion of separating Hiccup and Toothless permanently.

I don’t mind a separation.

And- by the way- I mean one which doesn’t involve the type we got in HTTYD: THW, what with Hiccup and Toothless growing apart, living alone and whatnot. I mean one like Gift of the night fury- where Toothless came back to Hiccup. Where we, as an audience, return full circle, with the affirmation that Hiccup and Toothless are indeed inseparable.

One which confirms a true friendship. Not what THW gave us. Though, I will give them credit for trying in the epilogue scene.

I am not saying this film doesn’t deserve praise.

I am saying, however, it makes a train wreck of the friendship between the central duo of this franchise.

Many people say that the Hidden World is great and satisfying (really...?) because Toothless goes back to the wild… he belongs there… he needs to leave Hiccup as finding a FAMILY is what brings him happiness.

Not Hiccup. Hiccup used to give him happiness, love, affection and companionship- he still does- but NONE of that matters to Toothless- supposedly- when the Light Fury enters the game.

No, just no. You give me proof of Toothless behaving like this- once- even in the previous instalments- and I will give you the previous instalments.

The facts are there. Toothless’ family is Hiccup. That has already been established- from every single other piece of media in this franchise.

Since when has anything mattered more to toothless than that one boy who, being the only one in his entire village, alone, neglected and saddened, tried to give dragons and humans a second chance? This boy was known to be Hiccup- he changed history with Toothless. He ended a war between two disparate species- he gave this dragon, who we call Toothless, more love and affection than anyone else at the time would even dream of.

He gave this dragon his flight back- but the dragon gives him friendship back.

Hiccup has practically raised this dragon for years of his life. Years he could have spent being barbaric, killing dragons, fighting… no. Hiccup has fed Toothless, bantered with him, played with him, bathed him, attended to wounds/injuries.

Just like you would your own pet- but Toothless isn’t a pet. He was the first to believe in Hiccup and really bond with him- more than anyone else at that time. If you don’t recall- at the time when Toothless and Hiccup first met in the Cove, Hiccup was laughed at, taunted, bullied and neglected by his father and peers around him.

Only a member of the opposite species gave him actual companionship. First.

Which is why is why it really gets to me when Astrid says-

‘But you know what? I was the first to believe in you’- making it seem as if she was the first to instill confidence in Hiccup. First human? Sure. First sentient being? Nope.

Ironic as at the time Toothless was the only creature offering him companionship.

The friendship between Hiccup and toothless- plus more

What has this franchise been about? What is it been centered around for as long as we can remember? The friendship- the bond between hiccup and toothless. It has always been about how they are inseparable- and also, every single movie, episode and short film- excluding the Hidden World-, every single race to the edge hicctooth moment brings them closer together. It strengthens their resolve.

They are the best of buddies. So, what does How to Train Your dragon- The Hidden World achieve? It breaks that bond. Why? For the sake of romance!

Romance.

Toothless- having been with Hiccup and fought alongside him for years- and having a virtually unbreakable connection with him that can never be broken- suddenly dejects Hiccup and is not only torn away from him, but is almost desperate to leave him? Where is his loyalty to him? Where is this ‘friendship of a lifetime’ we were promised? The entire film sets the premise that Toothless realises he doesn’t need hiccup and that his real destiny is with the light fury- as Hiccup, his best friend that is with him for years- means little. How can we- as fans- accept this? Most of you reading this won’t, I’m sure.

The separation, gift of the night fury and freedom

“So that we could get to that moment like the opening narration of Cressida Cowell’s first book. There were dragons when I was a boy. I thought there was something really emotional about that. But it suggests the end of an era.”

Nothing wrong with this. This could work in any other franchise. Not HTTYD. The disappearance of an entire species seems apocalyptic- right up my street in fact- but wait a minute. The dragons and the berkians are meant to CO-EXIST… right? They are meant to find a way, or ways to work together. They do. They develop a perfect state of friendly peace between the two species- until THW. Hiccup gives up his resolve- that him and Toothless- him and toothless- have been working on.

A perfect state of peace.

And Hiccup says- I was so busy fighting for a world I wanted- wait… ,’I wanted’ ?

(Hiccup and Astrid, both smiling, nod at each other and press their heads together. Toothless, after walking past the Light Fury, looks at Hiccup, who smiles at him. Toothless looks towards the horizon and back to Hiccup again. Hiccup also looks at the horizon and back to Toothless. He then hops to Toothless and holds his face.)

Hiccup: You're right, bud. It's time. I was so busy fighting for a world that I wanted, I didn't think about what you needed.

Hiccup and Toothless have been working together- as one- from the beginning- and this movie ignores that and makes Hiccup seem outright selfish as he didn’t think about what Toothless needed? Toothless has outright stated prior he doesn’t need anyone else but Hiccup. In fact, Toothless wants peace and coexistence between humans and dragons. Wasn’t that one of the reasons they bonded?

For reference, see Riders of Berk- in one episode, Astrid (ironically, being the same Astrid in 3 who claims Toothless has been given his freedom, so will never return) claims Toothless is happy with Hiccup and doesn’t need anyone else. Not a bad message. Many people only have one friend and are fine with them. In fact, it isn’t how many you have, but the quality (but that’s a different topic)

This movie?

Abandon your best friend for the sake of a partner.

Hiccup is everything to Toothless- and vice versa. These two have such an unbreakable connection. Where has it gone, movie?

Good movies come from character growth- character evolution. They don’t come from devolution and a complete reversal of growth of said character.

Also- something else. About halfway into the movie, after returning from the failed mission to raid Grimmel’s base- several key lines are spoken by two main characters.

Hiccup says ‘toothless and I will-‘. He’s cut off. Hiccup at this point fully expects toothless to return- again, not because he is keeping him captive (expanded on later)- but out of love, loyalty, companionship. They’re best friends, right?

Isn’t that how it’s always been?

And then- the two lines which are simply infuriating- “you gave him his freedom” and “he has the light fury now”.

Both these lines strongly imply Toothless doesn’t want or need Hiccup. As does the scene in THW where Toothless has “found his place amongst dragons, realising his true destiny”- quote from Dean D.B.

Without all the extra glorification- realising he doesn’t need Hiccup when Hiccup is the reason he is alive- the single person on the planet who cares for him the most. Gone.

In two days.

And doesn’t “he has the light fury now?” completely deject their bond?

As if to say- he doesn’t need you- his best friend who he supposedly cares about.

So many lines- plot points- utter rubbish- solely designed to tear these two apart for no logical, justified reason.

Also, let’s talk about freedom. A strong aspect when considering this concept is the call of the wild.

A call of the wild refers to an animal, kept in captivity, isolated from the rest of nature, wanting to be free.

Remember gift of the night fury?

Toothless was given his freedom then. Surely, if he was experiencing this call of the wild it would build up over time- not just be a sharp ‘I want to leave Hiccup’

He would have left in gift of the night fury. But no- he destroyed the automatic tailfin because flying with Hiccup, as one, as two best friends bonded by their shortcomings.

As you can see, this call of the wild arc introduced in HTTYD 3 completely disintegrates the bond that Toothless chose, chose.

Toothless was not forced into captivity but instead out of compassion and love for Hiccup made the decision to live with him. How is suddenly sending him back to the wild- and according to the directors- because he chooses another dragon over Hiccup- a deepening of his arc?

It doesn’t deepen it- it’s trying to dam a river that supplies water to millions of people.

It doesn’t end there. Toothless, when leaving is described as ‘hesitant, conflicted’

Conflicted?

Conflicted over the same Hiccup whom he shares an unbreakable bond with? The same one whom he wouldn’t leave for the world? And that too- conflicted over a female- over another dragon.

Conflicted to even think about leaving his best friend. Years of friendship- gone, replaced with the message “romance supersedes friendship”

So much for the friendship of a lifetime.

Furthermore- the crescendo that plays during the separation is called Freedom. The original FYC OST is titled that.

Freedom? From what? Freedom implies a release from captivity for an animal that was being kept captive- in a poor mental and physical state. In essence- the dragons were being used as slaves- or tools, kept against their will involuntarily.

Hiccup was keeping Toothless a slave.

This is an utter abomination to both their friendship and the Berkian dragons.

They have relationships. They are there because they want to be there- because they enjoy human companionship. The artbook(s) even say as much- along with the script. Remember Hiccup’s line- “now they’ve all moved in. And really- why wouldn’t they?” The berkians adapted their own lifestyle to accommodate these animals. The animals-dragons- are there out of free will.

Free will. The complete anthesis to slavery and subjugation.

Let’s look at three examples.

Remember this scene? Hiccup says ‘we built custom stables, all you can eat feeding stations, a full-service dragon wash”

Basically- they love these creatures and care for their every need. Far from keeping them slaves- as implied by freedom- when slaves or workers in our own world are kept in uncomfortable conditions. These dragons, and Toothless himself, are far from uncomfortable.

They even bathe them and wash them- as you would care for your own pet. Hiccup even takes the time to bathe Toothless himself as we see below. And giving him a chin scratch.

All the time- showing Toothless affection and companionship. Important to note that without Hiccup, Toothless would be non-existent (for a euphemistic word), in Grimmel’s trophy cabinet. And Hiccup isn’t just best friends with him- he actually cares for this dragon.

Doesn’t that indicate the dragons moved in because the Berkians became compassionate? Compassionate thanks to, and spread by, Hiccup?

Isn’t that what this series is all about? Mutual coexistence?

Also- look at this.

Toothless came back to Hiccup out of love for him, out of genuine compassion. I mean- look at that face. Definitely being held “captive” right? Captive by Drago- yes, but you see, this is what the franchise- at least 1 and 2- try to defy. That friendship can overpower anything.

Especially the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless.

And Hiccup didn’t go back to Toothless so he could win back Berk. That wasn’t his main motive. He went back because he loves him. Too much- in fact- to even repent yelling at him afterwards- when he screams “Toothless!” after he is taken by Drago.

Moments after killing his father. So much for “slavery”. You can visualise and make out Hiccup’s emotion when Toothless comes back. Remember what he says? “Attaboy, that’s it!”

Isn’t that genuine friendship?

Look at how happy he is just to see Hiccup. Absolutely heart-warming- and look at where HTTYD 3 puts it.

Again. I don’t really know what to say. How are these adorable creatures being held captive? Look at him- clearly enjoying the belly rub.

What a farce. Honestly.

Envoi- final thoughts

To cap this off, let’s look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Let’s look at this. Motifs near the base of the pyramid are significantly more important that those at top.

In Gift of the Night fury- Toothless rejects autonomous control for his friendship with Hiccup. Toothless inverts the pyramid. Looking at the pyramid, Toothless thinks “love and belonging” is more important than “physiological needs”. Why?

Because one (of the many) reasons Toothless and Hiccup are inseparable is that they are bonded over their shortcomings. And it is these shortcomings, which, mutualistically, they realise are anything but. They make them stronger.

In essence- he puts Hiccup first- then himself. Note- Toothless made this choice. Wasn’t forced, wasn’t subjugated. He chose to do this.

The third instalment, supposedly markets this too, if we go by the trailer which conjures up a big “Friendship of a lifetime” logo on the screen. That really hyped me up. That was what- I- and so many of us- most fans- wanted- the GOTNF style affirmation that Hiccup and Toothless are indeed inseparable- despite all the terrors that strike their village.

I sold myself (as I am sure many of us viewers did) on this.

Now I wish I hadn’t.

The third movie makes Toothless put his “so called freedom” first, before Hiccup- before friendship. A complete reversal of the picture we have seen in the previous instalments.

We see that, according to Maslow, freedom is a lesser, baser need than friendship.

I sold myself on this.

Now I wish I hadn’t.

#httyd the hidden world #httyd

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