I'll admit the plot/writing wasn't perfect. At the end, the motivations of the would-be villain feel like they're just there to drive the plot forward, rather than an honest decision she'd make in the moment. She clearly is in awe of the dragon, and worships it, but would still dare to point her weapon at it?
And the scammer ninja baby felt tonally weird, maybe because we don't get to see any other kids like her. Her physical abilities are too much of a gag, or too supernatural, which doesn't really fit because all the other humans are just humans, non-magical and bound by the laws of physics. I could have done without that character. They could have combined two of the lands and made the cast a little leaner.
Other than that, I thought the movie was perfect. The main character has a really cool silhouette design and both touching and intimidating moments. The way they emoted her hit for me, it felt so true to life. The dragon is heartwarming and funny, I already think Awkwafina is hilarious but this was some perfect casting. She both elevates the dragon as a character, and the performance also made me love Awkwafina more. I really liked that her human form looks and emotes like her, it was like seeing an old friend.
The moral was really simple (unite and trust one another, and together we'll be greater), but I think it's a timeless sentiment that is always applicable and true. It's something all of us clearly still need to hear all the time, since as a species we continue to be relentlessly petty and short-sighted.
And the scammer ninja baby felt tonally weird, maybe because we don't get to see any other kids like her. Her physical abilities are too much of a gag, or too supernatural, which doesn't really fit because all the other humans are just humans, non-magical and bound by the laws of physics. I could have done without that character. They could have combined two of the lands and made the cast a little leaner.
Other than that, I thought the movie was perfect. The main character has a really cool silhouette design and both touching and intimidating moments. The way they emoted her hit for me, it felt so true to life. The dragon is heartwarming and funny, I already think Awkwafina is hilarious but this was some perfect casting. She both elevates the dragon as a character, and the performance also made me love Awkwafina more. I really liked that her human form looks and emotes like her, it was like seeing an old friend.
The moral was really simple (unite and trust one another, and together we'll be greater), but I think it's a timeless sentiment that is always applicable and true. It's something all of us clearly still need to hear all the time, since as a species we continue to be relentlessly petty and short-sighted.