“How to Train Your Dragon”

DreamWorks

Starring: Gerard Butler and Jay… “How to Train Your Dragon”

DreamWorks

Starring: Gerard Butler and Jay Baruchel

B+

It’s a good thing that my best friend from second grade and I went to the late showing of “How to Train Your Dragon,” because we giggled like 8-year-olds throughout the entire thing.

If there had been anyone in the theater other than a few other weirdos, we would have been embarrassed by our childlike enthusiasm.

DreamWorks’ latest computer-animated film, “How to Train Your Dragon,” is pretty much everything an animated movie should be — cute, funny, suitable for all ages and decked out with impressive animation, fun characters and a clever storyline.

The movie follows Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel), a scrawny young boy who can’t seem to earn the approval of his peers or his colossal dragon-fighting dad, Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler). In an effort to gain Viking street cred, Hiccup decides to hunt himself a dragon.

But when he hits a “Night Fury” — one of the rarest and most dangerous dragons — the dragon meant to be his prey becomes his playmate, and the two form an unusual friendship.

The movie’s appeal is obvious — any film involving dragons and Vikings is probably going to be a winner — but “How to Train Your Dragon” outdoes itself with great animation, solid writing and very likable characters — including an adorable (but slightly scary) dragon with oddly puppy-like qualities.

In truth, “How to Train Your Dragon’s” success isn’t surprising. It follows a familiar formula of cute and slightly awkward characters, loveable animals, heartwarming scenes and a moral-filled message at the end.

But it’s a formula that works, and “How to Train Your Dragon” executes it wonderfully.