This is the first time, ever in my life, I actually pay to watch a movie in cinemas the second time.
I'd never thought I will become a fan of a franchise, cause being a fan is just not me, but it happened.
Yep 2 miracles and those are because of the film - How to Train Your Dragon.
I am not sure what kind of elements they have put into the films but one thing I am sure is that they are films of emotional roller coaster. I loved 95% of the scenes in the first film and 99% for the second.
You know how people gets threatened and they end up giving up the answers after breaking down. Think of a graph with a curve that describes the emotions, it's straight then it goes downhill and stays there.
Well, for this franchise it's the opposite. But it goes up and down and up and down once more then UP FOR THE LAST PART.
Let me describe what my thoughts are about the first film:
• Hiccup realises that dragons have feelings, once he released Toothless from the trap he had shot, because Gobber said a dragon always go for the kill but Toothless did not.
• That 'Forbidden Friendship' scene, it maxes out the emotion because of the soundtrack by John Powell. Once Hiccup raises his arm and Toothless makes that small movement to touch Hiccup's hand, that was it. I cried literally. I can feel that bond, that friendship, that connection from then on from just a slight touch. One can imagine a glow between these two characters when they touched. It's just beautiful, not to mention they used a sunset scene where the lighting really matches the mood. And of course, the soundtrack. Without it, this scene would be like 'what the heck is going on?'.
• How Toothless's pupil of his eye changes from small to huge, showing the emotion of the dragon.
• Then there's Astrid. Her character is really awesome, that tough exterior and soft interior, her fringe covers one of her eye, showing a subtle badass-ness. The way she battles in The Ring, those expressions on her face and eyes. I just like her.
• Well, then also about Astrid and Hiccup. To me, Astrid seems to show a subtle vibe of care for Hiccup (the scene where they were having a campfire and Hiccup left quickly after Gobber ended the campfire then Astrid was surprised). Feels really platonic and lovely.
• How Hiccup learns every bit of dragon from Toothless and using it in The Ring. I don't know, these scenes feel refreshing. You learnt something so make use of it. And how this surprised everyone to their eyes opened really huge. Loved that.
• 'Test Drive' scene, yet another emotional roller coaster scene. First off, when it comes to flight, there's always this SOARING feel. And how does that feel expand out for me? Freedom, yes freedom. That's the high, it feels really really majestic good. What happens after that is Hiccup was thrown off from Toothless, leading to danger. That's the 'OH NO' part. Another high but it's really up and down. After recovering, Hiccup throws away his cheat sheet (THEN THE SOUNDTRACK GOES CLIMATIC), gliding through the rocks without reliance of the cheat sheet. Feels good doesn't it? Feels like you've mastered something and you go AWESOME, YAY! The soundtrack plays a huge role here. NOT TO FORGET the expressions on both Hiccup and Toothless, wow just wow...
• After the 'Test Drive' scene, is the last match in The Ring. This is where Astrid's expressions are really good. Makes me feel attached to the character even more because of this scene.
• Then the part Astrid founds out about Toothless. The lighting put onto Astrid sitting on top of the rock, with the sun shafting and the shadows, midtones and highlights really makes her looks like she's going on a kill streak. Those little details are just worth it and well considered.
• And so the 'Romantic Flight'. Subtle, soft, where picture (emotions and expressions of character) and music takes the lead. The beauty in every landscape and lighting here. (And wow if only getting a girl's acceptance is this simple.)
• After they land, the script and expressions takes the lead. Feels simple yet there's a huge impact somehow. That 'yes' with a straight face from Hiccup, owwwow and causing Astrid's expression to change.
• Then following are the scenes of down mood, where Stoick couldn't believe what was happening and captured Toothless as bait.
• The script for Astrid and Hiccup is quite a game-changer here. Astrid is helping Hiccup to realise that his actions aren't shameful but his warmth for the dragons are well, warming. The part where Hiccup says he is the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon but Astrid replied saying, "First one to ride one though.". - it hit me, it really did and how it actually changed Hiccup.
..... oh man too much to describe.
