This movie is an effective comedy with good laughs and a solid plot. It has fun with the jock-dork stereotypes and subversion of their dynamics that is endearing instead of sardonic. I can’t speak to how well it adapts the source material; it stands well on its own, though I don’t think it has the staying power to be considered great.
Closest comparison: It’s like Donnie Brasco by way of Superbad.
Setting: High School Comedy
Plot: Detective
Tone: Buddy Cop
This movie has the difficult task of trying to reverse the hero-villain roles and, although it makes a few large tonal inconsistencies with who the audience is supposed to be rooting fort, for the most part the film makers pull it off very well. The irresistibly funny banter helps to gloss over some of the more confusing story elements that play out on screen. Will Farrell and Tina Fey are great together, not to mention the several times the plot takes a surprising, unexpected, but very much appreciated twists and turns. And the very clever attention to detail that gets layered into the fabric of the story, from eye color to dress color to subtly rehydrating trash doing triple duty in a narrative capacity, really stands out among an otherwise run-of-the-mill animated comedy.
Closest comparison: It’s the studio that made Monsters vs. Aliens taking a shot at the more subtle and complex Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs market.
Setting: Super Hero
Plot: Romantic Drama
Tone: Comedy Action
There are a few great moments between Toothless and the new dragon with some legitimately beautiful cinematography, but the story overall is only mostly passable. The main supporting characters are so aggressively obnoxious that even if someone else were watching this movie I would only stick around for the scenes with Toothless. The movie is going for irritating humor, and if you enjoy that then you will probably get more mileage out of it than I did.
Closest Comparison: The same thing is happening to this franchise as happened to Shrek.
Setting: Fantasy
Plot: Adventure
Tone: Comedy
