A Movie With A Great Message!

Spring break is coming up next week and if you don’t have a trip planned or activities scheduled…you’ll have a lot of time to fill!  I know it’s good to get the kids outside and running around…but sometimes you just need a little downtime and a good movie.  Well, you may have seen it already, but if not, I have a great movie suggestion that will fill 1 hour and 38 minutes of your week. I know it’s not much…but it will give you time for a shower, a quick snooze or you might even want to watch this one with the kids…it’s that good.

The movie is “How To Train Your Dragon,” by Dreamworks, based on the book by Cressida Cowell.

I can imagine some of you are saying, “Geez, that came out in 2010…where the heck have you been?”  I know, I’m definitely behind the times, when it comes to movies.  So, when we saw that the Blockbuster, in the next town over, was going out of business, we stopped by to buy a few that we haven’t seen…at a huge discount!  Phil and I watched “How To Train Your Dragon,” with the kids last weekend and it brought tears to our eyes.  What a wonderful movie chock full of fabulous messages for kids and adults alike.

In this action-packed adventure comedy, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the son of a viking chief, must train a dragon in order to prove to his tribe that he is worthy to join their dragon hunt. Until now, Hiccup’s father, Stoick, has not allowed him to be part of the fight against the dragons that have been terrorizing their town for years.
Hiccup ventures out on his own and not only captures a fierce dragon, with his invention, but, when he realizes that he can’t kill him, he befriends the dragon and names him Toothless.  The relationship that develops between Hiccup and Toothless is not only sweet but reinforces, to children, that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Watching their friendship develop is simply heartwarming.

Now Hiccup must convince his father and his town that not all dragons are bad and dangerous.  Toothless’ tail has been damaged in battle, but leave it to Hiccup to build a brace and prosthetic fin for him.

He not only helps Toothless fly again, but climbs aboard his back so together they can soar …and when you watch this scene so will your heart!

Perhaps the most touching and tender scene comes near the end of the movie.

Hiccup’s dad, who has never understood his son, turns and apologizes to the boy…and tells Hiccup that he is proud to call him his son.  Phil and I both had tears in our eyes at that point.  As Daniella turned and looked at me with tears in her eyes I said, “See honey, when parents are wrong they need to say ‘I’m sorry,’ too.”  It’s something I think is so important.  Parents spend so much time telling their kids to apologize…but often won’t do it themselves.  When I’m wrong…I tell the kids and explain why I’m saying it.  If they hear me admit I was wrong, and say sorry…they are much more apt to do it themselves.  I was thrilled for Daniella and Dylan to see this play out in the movie.  It was a great teaching moment.

How To Train Your Dragon is rated PG, likely for the battle scenes between the vikings and the dragons, 2 quick kisses between Hiccup and a girl he has a crush on and a discussion about the death of Hiccup’s mom.  Voices for the characters are provided by Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse .

While the movie came out in 3D – we watched it in 2D and it was just as good.  Below is a movie trailer so you can take a peak.  Enjoy and let me know if you liked it as much as we did!  Happy Spring Break : >