How to Train Your Dragon – We Saw the 4K Blu-ray Edition
Native 4K master, also IMAX image format and a great audio spectacle but choosing the right track
Dean DeBlois has brought his own animated creation to the big screen in live action, giving audiences a visually extraordinary adventure. The story is always the same: Hiccup, a misunderstood young Viking, forms a unique bond with Toothless, a dragon who will forever change his destiny and that of his community.
The technical execution is striking: cinematography, set design, and costumes recreate the Nordic world beyond all expectations, with equally surprising flight sequences. The soundtrack, taken from the original, is another of the work's defining features. Mason Thames manages to capture Hiccup's essence with sensitivity and intensity, while Nico Parker imbues Astrid with strength and charisma, just as Gerard Butler has the opportunity to give the same character entirely new depth. The only limitation is its excessive faithfulness to the 2010 film: few changes and no narrative surprises.
Stupendous Technical Spectacle Dolby Vision & ATMOS
Shot entirely digitally (Arri Alexa 35, Arri Alexa LF IMAX, Arri Alexa Mini LF IMAX) at native 4.5K/4.6K resolution and finalized on a 4K master used for this spectacular UHD edition. The image format varies between 2.39:1 and the more “open” IMAX 1.90:1 (3840 x 2160/23.97p, HEVC encoding on BD-100 triple layer), further enhancing the visual impact for action sequences. Fortunately, at least in this case, it was decided to keep both, favoring the spectacle more on large screens. Stunning visual quality regardless of lighting conditions, fine details, light dynamics, and color extension thanks to Dolby Vision, deep blacks for a reference encoding.
The Italian Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 (754 kbps) track is enjoyable, favoring dialogue, effects, and musical accompaniment. Clearly superior, but still a step below the absolute best, is the original Dolby TrueHD 7.1 with ATMOS objects, which, with a true Home Theater system, never fails to impress with its aggressiveness and soundstage openness.
On the 4K disc, as well as on the disc with the 2K version of the film, there are many extras exploring the production: 2 deleted scenes, 5 production focus features with cast and crew interviews, an exhaustive making-of of about 46 minutes, on-set bloopers, and above all, the director's commentary for the entire film. Unfortunately, all material is unsubtitled.