The Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon Is Already Beating Disney

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Summary

  • Dreamworks’ live-action bet on How To Train Your Dragon includes original visionary Dean Deblois directing for a lasting effect.
  • Embracing subtle nuances in the live-action remake is key, as seen in Disney’s successful shot-for-shot adaptations.
  • Comparative analysis of Disney and Dreamworks’ critical reception shows promise for Dreamworks’ upcoming How To Train Your Dragon remake.

Dreamworks recently unveiled the authentic live-action trailer for “How To Train Your Dragon”, which closely resembles the original animated film. Some viewers find this similarity a bit repetitive, but reproducing classic cartoons in real life has boosted Disney’s box office success. So, why can’t Dreamworks give it a try?

As a movie buff, I can’t help but express my excitement about Dean Deblois returning to direct the 2025 live-action version of “How To Train Your Dragon” for Dreamworks. This move could be a game-changer in Dreamworks’ bid to make its mark in the world of live-action films, much like how Disney has dominated animation since the release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937. It’s hard not to compare, given Disney’s impressive track record, but let’s face it, they’ve had their chance with this year’s remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” a film originally directed by none other than Dean Deblois. Unfortunately, they chose not to leverage his unique vision for that project. I can only hope that Deblois’ latest Dreamworks production will showcase his signature style, leaving Disney’s team wondering, “Why didn’t we think of that?

Original Vs. Tribute

At a premiere for a new trailer, Dean Deblois – the original writer and director of “How To Train Your Dragon” – discussed enhancing the complexity of his characters. Instead of revealing fresh fights, new figures, or alternative conclusions, he pointed out the chance to delve a little further into the already established aspects. This is where the true value lies in live-action remakes; it’s all about the details and subtleties. The real enchantment resides in the delicate variations when a beloved work is recreated by its original creator.

During an interview with Empire, Deblois mentioned that he had 15 months to rewrite and produce a new version of the original “How To Train Your Dragon.” He explained that while he aimed for a live-action feel in his initial work, he didn’t fully achieve it at the time. These comments suggest that the upcoming remake has a clear objective and integrity that is not as evident in Dean Fleischer Camp’s 2025 “Lilo & Stitch” remake. Interestingly, Disney will release this relatively unproven director’s take on Deblois’ original film concurrently with Dreamwork’s new “How To Train Your Dragon,” which Deblois is reimagining in 2025.

When a renowned music group says they’re performing their classic hits during a comeback tour, the tickets for that show often get snapped up quickly. These artists often leave fans in awe with their ability to continue impressing, even though they revisit familiar melodies. Hearing your favorite artist play your beloved songs rarely fails to stir up emotions. However, tribute bands don’t evoke the same response, no matter how skillfully they perform. There’s always an echo of karaoke that lingers when someone else takes on the original song.

Critics Vs. Box Office

In 2015, Disney released an exceptional remake of the timeless classic “Cinderella,” which garnered high praise from critics for its faithful adaptation of the original film. The following year, in 2016, Disney unveiled another remarkable remake titled “The Jungle Book,” directed by Jon Favreau. This movie was a double triumph, winning both critical acclaim and impressive box office returns. It garnered a stellar score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed nearly $1 billion globally in theaters. Interestingly, “The Jungle Book” was one of only three out of Disney’s 22 live-action remakes to receive a Rotten Tomatoes rating above 80 percent, with “Cinderella” (2015) being another one of those rare instances at 84 percent.

After about ten years, it’s evident that Disney prioritizes box office success over critical acclaim with nearly half of its remakes receiving rotten scores below 60%. For how long will audiences continue to back the churning out of similar content from a studio that once created magical masterpieces? The recent drop in Marvel’s box office numbers offers a hint.

This year, Disney is placing their wager on the revival of “Lilo & Stitch,” a concept originally envisioned by Dean Deblois within Disney. Meanwhile, Deblois is engrossed in bringing his Dreamworks live-action project to life. Disney believes that their strong brand reputation will be enough to draw crowds, but the question remains: which film will ultimately triumph?

Disney Vs. Dreamworks

When evaluating the anticipated superiority of Disney’s upcoming live-action release versus Dreamworks’ remake in 2024, it’s worth noting that both studios had a similar critical reception the previous year. In 2023, Disney’s family movies included “Moana 2” (61% on Rotten Tomatoes), “Mufasa” (57% on Rotten Tomatoes), and the Academy Award-nominated “Inside Out 2” (91% on Rotten Tomatoes). On the other hand, Dreamworks delivered Netflix’s “Orion and the Dark” (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), “Kung Fu Panda 4” (71% on Rotten Tomatoes), and its own Academy Award-nominated film “The Wild Robot” (97% on Rotten Tomatoes).

Both these studios have actors who have been nominated for Oscars, but DreamWorks tends to receive higher ratings from critics, if we exclude the dismal performance of Megamind 2. The Megamind 2 movie received only a 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, initially scoring zero. However, it’s worth noting that despite Megamind 2’s failure, DreamWorks still has three other films with ratings above 70%. This is an achievement not matched by Disney last year, as none of their films reached the 70% mark.

As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that Dreamworks’ impressive history and their dedication to reuniting the team for the 2025 release of “How To Train Your Dragon” hints at an even more captivating sequel. Known innovator, Dean Deblois, is unlikely to falter, delivering a refreshed take on his original masterpiece. If Disney was going to remake “Lilo & Stitch,” they should have seized the chance to bring him back into the fold. For now, it seems like Dreamworks is steering towards more compelling storytelling in the future.

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2025-02-17 19:45