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“How to Train Your Dragon” – something everybody would want to learn, especially if one could train a Night Fury. Set in the mythical world of muscular Vikings and almighty dragons, this animated comedic action movie narrates about how the unlikely friendship between a Viking teenager, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and a dragon changes his life (Dragon, 2010).
The main setting of this movie is the island Berk, home of the Viking warriors for seven generations. They are tough and every one of them is dedicated to one thing; killing the evil, destructive dragons which would raid their food and burn their buildings every now and then. It does not take us very long to learn that Hiccup does not exactly fit in with his heroic dragon slayers clan. Quote his dad, Stoick the Vast (Gerald Butler) who is also the Viking chief, “from the moment he could crawl, Hiccup has been different” (Dragon, 2010). In our modern era, Hiccup would probably lead an Internet-start up or even be the next Steve Jobs (Sharkey, 2010). Unfortunately, in the world that clearly values brawn over brain, Hiccup’s intelligence and sharp observations have no place in his society.
The directing team of “How to Train Your Dragon”, Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who have also shaped “Lilo and Stitch” and “Mulan” amazingly, sure know how to tell a great animated action film. The spectacular opening salvo between the dragons and Vikings that follows after immediately let the audiences understand the strained relationship the former two share all these years (Sharkey, 2010).
Ten minutes into the movie, DeBlois and Sanders have told us all we need to know to get the real plot going. Being the outcast is difficult. Hiccup has it even more so being the son of the Vikin...
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As great as this movie is, “How to Train Your Dragon” still has room for improvement. Although there is a book which lists the entire dragon species in Berk, the movie really only shows a few common ones the Vikings fight and use for training the recruits. Also, there is only one Night Fury throughout the movie which sometimes makes one wonder if Toothless is the last of its species but for most part, “like the mythical dragons at the heart of this tale, this movie soars” (Sharkey, 2010).
Bibliography
DeBlois, & Sanders (Directors). Arnold (Producers) (2010). How To Train Your Dragon.
Loring, A. (2010, April 20). Retrieved January 25, 2012, from http://gordonandthewhale.com/soundtrack-review-how-to-train-your-dragon/
Sharkey, B. (2010, March 26). Retrieved January 23, 2012, from http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/26/entertainment/la-et-dragon26-2010mar26
The book Michael Vey: Hunt For Jade Dragon by Richard Paul Evans is about a group of teengers the call themselves The Electroclan. Most of the teens in that group have special powers from a machine that was in use in the hospital that they were all born at. Other teens in the group are friends of members of The Electroclan. A girl named Jade Dragon figured out how to make more electric children, so Hatch wants to hunt her down. The Electroclan’s mission is to rescue Jade Dragon so Hatch doesn’t make an army of electric youth's. The Elgen then attack and capture the Electroclan in their hotel. It seems as if Nichelle sold them out to the Elgen, but she didn’t, she actually helped them. When Michael is captured by the Elgen Tara, Taylor’s twin sister thats works with Hatch, disgued
Jethro writes to Abraham Lincoln in a effort to keep his brother and family out of trouble with the law. Another one of Jethro's brothers joins the confederacy which goes against all opinions and beliefs formed by the Creighton family and surrounding community. At first the Creightons disagree but they come to a decision and decide to respect and accept his choice of beliefs . This causes an upset with surrounding neighbors and they become destructive and rude. Attempts to ruin the life of the Creighton family are made because of their decision.
The dragon is portrayed as the undefeatable evil. He is nearly invincible, breathes fire, and manages to fatally wound the ultimate hero of the poem. This makes him the ultimate evil Although Beowulf does defeat the dragon, the battle ends in a tie, since both sides perish, which shows the never ending balance between the two extremes: good and evil. The theme of loyalty is also explored here. When the battle between Beowulf and the dragon first begins, “[his] hand-picked troop/ broke ranks and ran for their lives” (1129). This is a common archetype that allows the hero to face the antagonist alone, all while having assistance during the journey leading up to the final battle. The author used this to emphasize the Anglo-Saxon belief of fate. Beowulf was supposed to face the dragon alone, thus his comrades had to disappear. The two ways to do this would have been to have Beowulf go alone, which would conflict with the belief of Warrior Culture, or portray his allies as cowards which would also help reinforce the Anglo Saxon values regarding courage. Thus by adding in the archetype of the cowardly allies, the author creates an emphasis on the important parts of Anglo-Saxon culture without relying on
Big Fish. Dir. Tim Burton. Perf. Ewan McGregor. S GOLD The Entertainment Network, 2003. DVD.
After fighting and winning many battles, Beowulf's life enters a new stage when he finally becomes king of his homeland, Geatland. Even in his old age, his code of honor still obligates him to fight against an evil, fiery dragon. For fifty years he has governed his kingdom well. While Beowulf is governing, the dragon "...kept watch over a hoard, a steep stone-barrow" (Norton 55). Under it lays a path concealed from the sight of men. Over centuries no one had disturbed the dragon’s kingdom until one day when a thief broke into the treasure, laid hand on a cup fretted with gold, which infuriated the dragon. "The fiery dragon had destroyed the people's stronghold, the land along the sea, the heart of the country" (Norton 57).
In contrast, Beowulf is seen as a hero, even when exemplifying the violent and dangerous qualities the dragon is feared for. Anglo-Saxon society prized loyalty, personal valor, and fame. In order to be a hero, one must recognize the need to act, and not shy away from it. The dragon, based on that definition, embodies the Anglo-Saxon idea of a hero: it is loyal to its cause, it is a good warrior, and it recognizes the need to act. It even has a sense of justice and a sense of wrong, shown by the way it reacted to the theft of the chalice. The dragon becomes vengeful and defensive, using cruelty as a means to correct the wrong. Described as “the guardian of the mound” (2302), the dragon’s intent is identical to Beowulf’s. Beowulf is seen as a hero not only because of his actions, but because he is human. The only thing that makes the dragon different is its inhuman qualities, and therefore it is a monster, a “ground-burner” (2713). Heroism in Anglo-Saxon society is a concept embodied by warriors and guardians, who would vie to be the most well-known. Heroism, to the Anglo-Saxons, is an excuse to use cruelty as a way to further one’s fame. It is a social crutch of sorts, leaned on for the vain chance to be immortal. When Beowulf agrees to fight the dragon, it is to have a heroic death, so he may be remembered. In the battle, just as with Grendel and Grendel’s mother,
While fighting the Dragon Beowulf shows feats of strength and courage that define him as a hero. The classical hero displays a special quality that separates him from the rest of
Training your dog is the most important part of canine companionship. A happy dog is one who has structure and boundaries. Dogs are pack animals, and as such, they need guidance in the behavior that you expect from them. If you don't follow through in this leadership role, then the dog will naturally feel as if it is his place to do so. A dog that understands that you are the leader will naturally be easier to train.
In many European traditions, dragons are viewed as villains because they represent the antithesis of a good king. Good kings share their wealth; dragons hoard it. However the dragon’s actions against society in Beowulf can be justified. After Beowulf becomes the ruler of Geatland and all seems well and peaceful, the dragon enters the story. His appearance is provoked: one day while the dragon quietly guards his ancient hoard, an unnamed Danish slave manages to enter the hidden lair and awaken the dragon’s dormant rage.
Everyone has heard about how to train your dog but how about training your dragon? I’m going to show you the multiple, yet easy steps in how to train your dragon. In this first example you are going to learn how to train your dragon to use the dog door. You must first start off with observational learning. Observational learning occurs when an observers behavior changes after viewing the behavior of a model. You first need to get your dragons attention and make sure he’s only focusing on you. Once you have gained his attention walk up to the dog door and simply crawl through it. Make sure your dragon watches you do this multiple times. Not only does your dragon need to gain attention of what you 're doing, he also needs to have retention in
His father is the chief of tribe and Hiccup is first described to the audience as far different from his paternal figure; he is not as strong and manly as him. At the very beginning, despite his tutor’s discourse to not try and fit this ideal, Hiccup intents to fit the norms of virility that are rewarding in within his village, trying to slay a dragon. And this shows the social pressure put on oneself to fit society’s standards and how difficult it can be to go through this, especially at a young age or for someone in their teenage years. So the film somehow issues a critique of nowadays society though the film is set centuries
Once leaving the unknown, our hero, according to his/her circumstances must face his demons by slaying the dragon. It is now our hero overcomes to be a better version of himself/herself. Slaying the dragon is something the hero probably ran from their entire life up until this point. It’s what has scared our hero the most.
In the novel, she showed she wasn’t able to abandon her society completely, leading her to move to the outskirts of town. In essence, she could keep her distance but maintain her connection to the community. She and Mistress Hibbins, who she admired in the film and despised in the book, are the only characters in both the book and movie who behave according to their own personal beliefs. Hibbins’ minor function in the book evolved into an imperative role in the film. Her relationship with Governor Bellingham wasn’t well portrayed in the film, when this connection prevented her prosecution in the book.
Somehow the story just takes a big fast forward jumping fifty years ahead to when Beowulf is now an elderly king of the Geats. Now a fierce dragon has settled in Beowulf’s kingdom and he declares that he will take it on.
“Dragons. Four fully grown, enormous, vicious-looking dragons were rearing on their hind legs inside an enclosure fenced with thick planks of wood, roaring and snorting- torrents of fire were shooting into the dark sky from their open, fanged mouths, fifty feet above the ground on their outstretched necks.” (p286)