This 3D animated gem is definitely better than the first—and I’m here for it. The animation, as always, is stunning. The mix of past and present elements is spot on, and while I’m not totally sure what to call the relationships (maybe “young love” or just a little romance?), it was sweet. I was grinning through the whole movie, especially when I got to admire the gorgeous digital artwork. Even when the movie took a sad turn (which was needed and done really well), I couldn’t help but be amazed by the animation. DreamWorks took a pretty bold step here—usually, it’s Disney pulling the big emotional punches, so I was impressed with the risk they took.

Visually, the graphics were fantastic, but there were a few little things that could have been smoother. Some textures, like hair and armor, didn’t flow as nicely as the rest of the animation. It felt like they spent so much time on the grand scale—the swooping camera angles, the dynamic glides, the whole “perspective enhancement” for the audience—that they missed out on details like the texture of scales or the way hair moves. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.

The plot was solid, everything made sense, and DreamWorks nailed the balance between excitement, fun, and heart. The mom storyline, though a bit too perfect, didn’t bother me too much because, hey, it’s DreamWorks and they’re aiming for a younger audience.

Now, let’s talk about the villain—Drago Bloodfist. Sure, he’s the bad guy, but I had one question: Where did he come from? The film does explain his backstory a little, but honestly, I felt like we needed more. When he talks about losing his family to dragons and seeking revenge, I was hoping for a brief flashback to really understand his motivations. Just hearing him say it wasn’t enough for me. It didn’t quite land the way it could’ve.

But that’s really my only gripe. If you love flying dragon-riders, evolving friendships, and moments that mix laughter with heartache, then this movie is definitely worth a watch. And if you’re not sure? Watch it anyway—it’s awesome.

Edit: Can we talk about that dragon during the “war” sequence? The one that lit itself on fire and rolled around like a flaming wheel? Seriously, so cool.