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How to Train Your Dragon
Movie

How to Train Your Dragon

2010 • Animation, Action, Adventure

Woke Score
3
out of 10

Plot

Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town's fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can't bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

Overall Series Review

The 2010 animated film focuses on the coming-of-age story of a physically weak, intellectually gifted Viking teenager who challenges his society's deeply entrenched customs. The narrative critiques a centuries-old cultural tradition (the violent killing of dragons) by presenting it as a cycle of fear and ignorance, driven by the prejudiced, aggressive norms of the traditional Viking elders. The protagonist, Hiccup, achieves heroism not through traditional physical strength, but through empathy and ingenuity, representing a meritocracy based on character and skill. The film's primary conflict is the tension between the protagonist's new, progressive worldview and the stubborn, traditional way of his ancestors and father. It features a highly capable, competitive female warrior who, while initially hostile, respects and is drawn to the male lead's non-traditional form of strength. The focus on intellectual compassion over brute force and the complete transformation of a culture’s core ideology serve as the major themes.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The narrative does not rely on race or intersectional hierarchy; all characters are visually uniform (Northern European Vikings). The central conflict is the physically weak misfit (Hiccup) proving his worth over the brawny warriors based on intellect and compassion, a clear case of meritocracy over immutable characteristics.

Oikophobia7/10

The plot's entire engine is the necessity of deconstructing the Viking's foundational culture and heritage: the 'Dragon-Slayer' identity. The ancestors' way of life is framed as fundamentally ignorant and wrong, leading to generations of suffering. The protagonist must openly reject and defeat his home's traditions to save the community, aligning with a strong anti-tradition, civilizational self-critique.

Feminism4/10

Astrid is depicted as a competent, aggressive warrior who is initially superior at traditional combat training to the male protagonist. She is a strong female character, but her character arc involves validating the male protagonist's non-traditional masculinity, and the primary heroic leadership role rests with the male character. The film does not feature anti-family or anti-natal messaging, focusing instead on the redemption of the father-son bond.

LGBTQ+1/10

No explicit alternative sexual ideology, gender ideology, or non-normative relationships are presented. The film’s focus is on the discovery of the dragons and the subsequent culture change. The primary romantic relationship is a traditional male-female pairing.

Anti-Theism1/10

The Viking culture is pragmatic and focused on survival/combat, with no organized religion or clear analogue to traditional Abrahamic faith to be attacked. The morality is transcendent, establishing an objective truth that empathy, compassion, and understanding are superior to the fear and prejudice that drove the Vikings’ old way of life.