Two Decades Exploring the Art of Dragons' Tutelage
In the world of Berk, the adventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his dragon, Toothless, unfold in both Cressida Cowell's beloved book series and DreamWorks' animated films. While both share the same central characters, they offer distinct differences in their portrayal of dragons, character roles, and storylines.
Hiccup, a young Viking and heir to the chief of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe, finds himself on a quest to capture a dragon of his own, as depicted in the books. In contrast, the movies present a different premise, with Vikings initially hunting dragons aggressively until Hiccup teaches them to train and befriend them.
The books portray dragons as relatively tamed creatures, already trained for combat, and living in a relatively peaceful coexistence with the Vikings. On the other hand, the movies introduce dragons as larger and more terrifying, with Hiccup's journey centred around teaching them to train and befriend them.
Toothless, Hiccup's dragon companion, differs significantly between the two mediums. In the books, Toothless is a tiny, common, and disobedient dragon, whereas in the movies, he is a rare, powerful, and intelligent Night Fury, designed to heighten the stakes of Hiccup's journey.
Character differences also stand out. The movies introduce Astrid, a strong Viking girl and Hiccup's friend, who does not appear in the books. Instead, the books feature Camicazi, a similar character, who becomes one of Hiccup's best friends. Fishlegs, Hiccup's best friend, is portrayed differently as well. In the books, he is skinny, scared, and allergic to reptiles, whereas in the movies, he is bigger and very knowledgeable about dragons. Snotlout's role changes from a bully in the books to more of a friend in the films, though still competitive.
The films' storyline differs markedly from the books, including the ending. The final movie shows dragons going into hiding during Hiccup's adulthood in a secret "Hidden World," while the books conclude with dragons going into hiding at the end of Hiccup's life. The movies overhaul the story and character personalities more broadly, offering a distinctly different emotional and thematic experience than the books.
In summary, the movies take greater creative liberties with characters, dragon portrayals, and plot, aiming for a more dramatic, action-oriented narrative compared to the books’ established Viking-dragon relationship and character dynamics. Whether you're a fan of the books or the movies, or both, each offers a unique and captivating journey through the Barbaric Archipelago.
Reading the series will allow you to laugh, cry, and fall in love with Hiccup, Toothless, and the Barbaric Archipelago. The series, which includes books titled "How to Be A Pirate," is suitable for readers of all ages. The audiobook versions of the series, read with great enthusiasm by David Tennant, are also a treat for listeners.
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