How To Train Your Dragon:

Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King--I think you would agree: these are good films for any writer to have under his belt. Meet Chris Sanders, former Disney bigwig turned Dreamworks director, who is, I believe, the first in a prospectively bright line of Dreamworks directors. Why so hopeful? Writer/director Sanders, along with fellow Mulan and Lilo and Stich co-director Dean DeBlois, have managed to breath life into a lifeless genre: the Paramont Sludge. and what, exactly, do I mean by "Paramont Sludge"? Monsters vs. Aliens... Madagascar 2... Bee Movie... Over The Hedge... need I go on? while none of these were terrible movies, I think that movie-goers and critics can agree that these are far from meeting Pixar's high-caliber entertainment standards. Up, WALL-E, Ratatouille, Toy Story, Finding Nemo--Pixar is known for it's family-oriented entertainment with heart; far-fetched stories with spirit.

So why have Sanders and DeBlois restored my faith in non-Pixar animation? Without trying to compete with Paramont's classical "big name" voicing, they chose a very nearly perfect cast: upcoming comedy icons, action stars turned fledgling mainstream actors, late-night television hosts, and, most importantly, Jay Baruchel, the little-known actor voicing the movies main character, Hiccup. although many may grudge him for his lead in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, he delivered excellently under 3D animation's rock-bottom standards.

Now to cut to the core: Hollywood doesn't know how to end a good movie. Happy-go-lucky, "all's well that end's well" endings just don't cut it, and Sander's realizes this. Unlike most live-action movies, and virtually every animated film, this was a movie that, when it's all said and done, made me feel connected to the characters in a way most movies cannot. To have the protagonist(s) abused, disregarded, redeemed, loved, idealized, de-throned, expiated, victorious, defeated, resurrected, and ultimately immortalized and cherished, was entirely ideal. For once, I not only felt the character's presence, but his heart. If anything, that is what mainstream Hollywood just hasn't learned to grasp.

On a side note, Gerard Butler rocks.

Was it the best movie ever? no. the best animated movie? not quite, but even if this film isn't 3D animation's saving grace, it is, at least, proof that it's headed in the right direction. Hats off to you, Sanders.