How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

The third and supposedly last film in the trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World sees a new threat facing the Dragon Riders of Berk as Hiccup and Toothless search for the Hidden World, home of all the dragons. Most of the voice cast from the first two movies return, all except for T..J. Miller due to the controversies surrounding him. The voice work does an incredible job not only in making the performances from Jay Baruchel and America Ferrera believable but also showing how well the chemistry works between the characters. As before, the animation is beautiful, detailed, and Roger Deakins's consultation on the cinematography once again makes it stand out from many other animated films. F. Murray Abraham voices the villain, Grimmel, and despite the motivation being a tad similar to that of Drago from the second entry and other villains from the show, his methods and performance makes it so memorable. Scenes that show of the amazing animation and cinematography the most are those that involve Toothless falling in love and spending time with a female version of his species, known as a Light Fury. While the story is well told, some of the ending felt rushed and some decisions weren't as well thought out. It does feel like they introduced so many concepts that would have been interesting to look at, such as Berk as a dragon and human utopia, but are hardly utilized or seen. The action scenes are well done, especially when Riders fight Grimmel by themselves after he captured their dragons, and all done in a way that's not over the top as most action scenes are done today being very subtle and quick. What makes this and the entire franchise as a whole unique is that it's a children's animated film series that takes its story serious and doesn't talk down to the young audience while still being fun and comedic, even if not all the jokes land. Over all: 100%

2019 top list so far:
1. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

2. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
3. The Upside
4. Cold Pursuit
5. Glass