What It Is: Whereas the first How to Train Your Dragon movie centered on the main character, Hiccup’s, relation with his father, the second focused more on his almost forgotten (but not quite!) mother. Hiccup, with his dragon buddy, Toothless, and pretty girlfriend by his side, happens upon a ferocious battle between “good” and “bad” dragon riders. Unbeknownst to Hiccup’s town (which he is soon scheduled to take over), dragons are being trapped and forced into an evil army, meant to defeat both their village and well, the rest of the Nordic world.

What We Think: Though the bar was set abnormally high for an animation film with this series’ first edition, and the likelihood for success is rather low for sequels anyway, How to Train Your Dragon 2 flew fiercely into theaters this June. In the midst of consistent laughter and adorability, the film provides audiences with a number of heartbreaking scares and interesting plot twists. Audiences are exposed to family crises and death, amongst other wrenching subjects. More devastating than the first, this animated film goes beyond the boundaries of normal animation. In classic Dreamworks fashion though, there comes a comfortable (enough) ending, and we are left wanting to see even more of the hearty Viking family.

Our Grade: A, While nothing will ever beat the first, this movie came damn close and is definitely worth the money to see. Though a bit heavier than its predecessor, How to Train Your Dragon 2 will leave you feeling like you’re part of its loving Viking community.