Went to see How to Train Your Dragon the other night with the family and it was surprisingly good. The previews didn’t do a very good job of selling the film, but it ended up being a pretty decent flick. I have to say the CGI is getting better and better all the time and this time the story actually lived up to the development costs.

The storyline is much better than typical animated fare. That combined with very entertaining voice acting by Gerald Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrara and others, works well with the world of Vikings bent on the destruction of their mortal enemies – the dragons.

Not only is this a great family film that will delight the kids, it works for the parents as well. It had moments went it looked like it was going to the stereotypical paths of most animated, feel-good, send a good message, films – but continually kept away by keeping it fresh.

It is witty, fun and only my second 9 rating in the last 12 months (last one was The Blind Side.)

RATING 9 out of 10