How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) 3D Movie Review

June 14, 2025 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, 2025, How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) 3D Movie Review

Movie Review by Jacob Scarberry

3D

How can I describe the 3D in How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) with any word other than “breathtaking”? I simply can’t. Even with the film’s dark and saturated cinematography, the 3D still stands above everything that has been released this year so far (as of Friday the 13th, June 2025).

From the opening scenes, the depth is constant and immersive — especially in how deep the sets go. You’ll often see set dressing in the foreground poking right toward the viewer, and the flying scenes are nothing short of amazing. Several moments feature fire and embers blasting directly out of the screen, creating a thrilling and tangible sense of danger. Window breaks with particles, weapons, boats, and more keep the action popping forward.

That said, it’s not perfect 3D — but it’s damn close. There were a few moments where the editing moved a bit too quickly, which made it hard to fully appreciate the 3D craftsmanship. A slower pace in some shots would’ve really let those details shine.

Still, with its natural spatial layering, dimensional details, and constant visual engagement, How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) a fantastic 3D experience.

Final 3D Score:

9/10 and Editor’s Choice Award

Movie

There are several reasons why I might be the absolute worst person to review How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action):

A) I generally dislike and disregard live-action remakes of classic animated films.
B) I’m not exactly the target demographic (a man in his late 30s without kids).
C) I’ve always thought the original (animated) How to Train Your Dragon was an overrated 6/10 film that somehow got vaulted to immediate 10/10 status by nearly everyone who saw it.

So yeah — I’ve probably lost the trust of everyone reading this. Despite all this How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) actually worked for me. It also worked for my best friend Corey, and this shocked us both, considering we’re probably two of the most cynical people this side of Statler and Waldorf.

The movie is, quite literally, the original (animated) film, beat for beat. Hiccup (Mason Thames) is the awkward laughingstock of the island of Berk — which is especially rough since he’s the son of the village leader, Stoick (Gerard Butler, reprising his role), a beloved and battle-hardened Viking. During the opening, Hiccup tries to help repel the dragon attacks, hoping to catch and kill the ever-elusive Night Fury, a dragon no one’s ever seen. Miraculously, he succeeds — but only he knows. When it comes time to slay the dragon, he can’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he sets it free. Toothless escapes, injured and unable to fly.

Meanwhile, Stoick prepares to lead a raid to find the Dragon’s Nest, determined to end the attacks once and for all. Gobber (Nick Frost), Hiccup’s blacksmith teacher, convinces Stoick to enroll his son in dragon-fighting training to help him find his place. Enter the supporting teen cast: Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), siblings Ruffnut and Tuffnut (Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn), the obnoxious Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), and Astrid (Nico Parker), Hiccup’s future love interest — all of whom are very unimpressed with him.

As Hiccup secretly begins bonding with Toothless and starts doing better in training (thanks to what he learns from the dragon), he begins to find his confidence and purpose. But danger looms, and it’ll take the unlikeliest Viking to step up and save the day.

So yeah — this is a near copy-paste remake, down to the same co-writer and co-director Dean DeBlois from the original trilogy. Ironically, Chris Sanders (co-director of the original and Lilo & Stitch) also has a remake in theaters right now. While you can’t expect massive surprises, there’s enough freshness here to keep it engaging — especially if you haven’t seen the original animated film in full since 2010 (like me).

What Worked in this movie :

The casting is pretty solid. Mason Thames does a good job as Hiccup, even if he lacks the nebbish charm Jay Baruchel brought to the role.
Gerard Butler steals the show — he absolutely nails Stoick, making him both likable and flawed. Honestly, I half expected him to yell “THIS… IS… BERK!!” every other scene, and I wouldn’t have minded.
The sets are fantastic. A lot of physical environments were used, and Northern Ireland serves as a beautiful stand-in for Berk.
The CGI is strong, even if it lacks the expressive, stylized charm of the animated dragons.
The cinematography is nice, but the color palette leans too heavily into earthy tones. It needed more visual pop and magic.
John Powell’s score returns, and it’s still gorgeous — full of Celtic tones that easily outshine the usual Disney remake fare.

This is a remake that didn’t need to happen — but surprisingly, it works. It’s fun, well-made, and even managed to win over two jaded cynics. How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is fun, well-made, and honors the original while finding just enough of its own voice. It may not soar to new heights, but strong visuals, solid performances, and top-tier 3D make it a great time at the movies. Buy some snacks, throw on your 3D glasses, and enjoy the ride — you won’t regret it.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

https://www.welcometoberk.com

https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/how-to-train-your-dragon

Venom 3 The Last Dance 3D Movie Review

October 25, 2024 by adolph vega in 3D or 2D, 3D, 3D Movies, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3-D Cinema, 3d Movie, Review, 3D films, Venom 2, Venom let be carnage, Venom, Venom 3, Venom Last Dance, Venom 3 Last dance

Venom 3: The Last Dance

3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

3D

Venom 3: The Last Dance surprises with its 3D quality, especially since darkly lit movies often struggle with this format. However, Last Dance defies expectations and offers a visually engaging 3D experience. The presentation is unexpectedly sharp, even in dimly lit scenes, allowing viewers to appreciate the full detail and atmosphere of the Venom universe.

One of the standout sequences occurs underwater, where the 3D truly shines with countless bubbles. Depth and layers of 3D are handled with a level of vibrancy that brings the scene to life, immersing viewers in an almost tactile experience. In moments like these, the 3D enhances the intensity, pulling the audience deeper into the film’s environment. The effect could have been utilized even more, however, as there are some points where the 3D remains subtle (Too subtle). One early sequence set in Mexico (with the dogs) looked phenomenal in 3D. Sadly this sequence flies by in a few seconds.3D depth is handled well in a few key moments (waterfall and elevator scenes).

The movie also has plenty of fun pop-out moments with the various venom appendages. Various sequences with close ups of monster mouths look especially good in 3D. While not every scene uses 3D to its fullest potential, the overall experience is well-executed. This is especially notable for fans who enjoy a mix of dramatic depth and lighthearted pop-out effects.

All things considered, Venom 3: The Last Dance delivers a solid 3D presentation that complements the action and playful tone of the movie. Obviously your experience may vary so try to find the best quality, brightest theater that you can.

Final Verdict: 7/10

Movie

The third installment of Venom’s story, Venom 3: The Last Dance, takes a different approach compared to its predecessors, opting for a more straightforward narrative. This streamlined story works to the film’s benefit, especially given the overly complex romantic drama that weighed down previous entries. By focusing on action, comedy, and straightforward storytelling, Last Dance manages to keep audiences engaged from start to finish.

One of the biggest strengths of this film is its sense of humor. The comedy lands well and leans into a ludicrous, almost absurd tone that’s genuinely hilarious (many belly laughs). Tom Hardy nails this final performance as both Eddie Brock and Venom. Whether it’s Venom’s bizarre banter or ridiculous moments that seem to embrace the character’s chaotic energy, the laughs are well-earned and frequent. The action sequences are abundant, keeping the film moving at a brisk pace with hardly a dull moment in sight.

However, the film isn’t without its flaws. There are several plot holes and contrived moments that are noticeable. I accurately predicted many plot points in this movie. Despite being a part of Sony’s larger Marvel universe, Venom 3 doesn’t connect to other Sony films, which may be disappointing for those hoping for a crossover or continuation from past movies.

Visually, the movie is well-shot, with crisp, appealing cinematography that captures the gritty charm of Venom’s world. The character development is basic, with some characters feeling more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. This includes the villain, who, while true to the comics, doesn’t offer much depth. The music choices are both fun and a bit on-the-nose, matching the film’s tone.

Ultimately, Venom: The Last Dance is an enjoyable, fun finale that emphasizes action over story. It might not tie up every loose end or deliver a deep narrative, but it provides a satisfying and entertaining experience for fans of the character. The Venom movie franchise ends on a satisfying high note. Venom: Last Dance is easily the best Venom movie in the trilogy.