How To Train Your Dragon was a very pleasant surprise for me when it was released in 2010, so it was with trepidation that I heard the show was getting an animated series. Usually the result of any adapted film into a series is a watered down cash-in with none of the talent or imagination that made the original worthwhile. Dragons: Riders of Berk is the refreshing exception to the rule, and a benchmark on how to continue a fictional universe on the small screen while awaiting the next run on the big one.
[pullquote_right]The first sign that this wasn’t some throwaway effort was that the 20-episode season was able to get back much of the film’s original cast. [/pullquote_right]The first sign that D:RoB wasn’t some throwaway effort was that the 20-episode season was able to get back much of the film’s original cast including Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), America Ferrara (Astrid), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Fishlegs). Certain characters, such as Gerard Butler’s Stoick are replaced by fan-voice work-favorite Nolan North, and are pitch-perfect stand ins. The show even introduces a new character, Alvin the Treacherous, voiced by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, and could easily have been a villain worthy of a major film.
The story picks up nicely not too far from the end of the film with the vikings and dragons having made peace and trying to co-exist, while Hiccup and friends try to domesticate the wild beasts and start an academy for training them. Throughout the season we’re introduced to quite a few interesting new dragons with their own abilities and personalities. Not every episode is a winner but they do enough addition to the mythology and character advancement to really feel that the show will have an impact on the universe, instead of just tiding you over until 2014’s sequel.
In an odd move, Dreamworks decided to release the first season as Parts 1 & 2 on two separate DVDs, each with their own special features which are a bit weak. Included are sneak peeks into other DreamWorks animation properties and a look at some upcoming Dragons toys. Dragon Tracker Part 1 & 2, separated by disc, break down the new dragons introduced in the show and the Evolution of Thunderdrum and the Evolution of Whispering Death, also split by disc, go in depth about their particular new dragon’s creation. Lastly both discs have mash-up music videos called Heavy Metal (on Part 1) and Fly High (on Part 2) that are fun if not a bit silly. But hey, it’s for kids isn’t it?
[pullquote_left]The wide range of appeal is what makes this series something above and beyond the normal.[/pullquote_left]On that note, the wide range of appeal is what makes this series something above and beyond the normal. Without being too dark or lacking any depth, Dragons: Riders of Berk manages to be a hopeful lighthearted family adventure that will entertain both young and old with its visuals, creatures and surprising amount of heart. With the second season on the horizon retitled Dragons: Defenders of Berk leading into 2014’s How To Train Your Dragon 2, there’s a lot be excited about because Hiccup and his world are alive and thriving in all mediums.