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'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' [4K]
(Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, et al / 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + DVD + Digital / PG / 2019 / Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

Overview: As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away.

When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + DVD + Digital] is out May 21st, 2019 via Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

4K Ultra HD Verdict: Get your horned helmets on everybody for the wondrous 'How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World' 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is finally upon us!

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment continues to expand their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this May with the release of this quite stunning, and brilliantly lavish 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' on new 4K home video format on May 21st, 2019.

For my money, this 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World: 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital' combo pack's sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is 'How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' presented to us as a two-disc combo pack with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Upscaled 4K (2160p), HDR: HDR10, and Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1.

Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHD's, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.

Noticeably crisper with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what's more is that it's enjoyably noticeable. For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color; like the delicious hues and nuances of fire breathing scenes combined with the joyous taking flight scenes high in the skies.

Indeed, the picture enjoys the fruits of the added resolution in terms of bringing out the aforementioned extremely fine facial and some of the yellow graded material (notably some scenes where the heroines of the piece are front and center, their animated faces truly living and breathing on screen) now have a kind of honeyed amber appearance. Which is interesting, and at least a little different from the 1080p Blu-ray accounting.

As for the audio, well we have: English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1, French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 and Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

Phew! OK, so, as for the movie itself. After the critical success of the original and the sequel, can 'The Hidden World' live up to the five year hype? There is only one way to find out and I'm here to aid your quest, my friends.

The Hidden World is set a year after Drago Bloodfist's attempted plot to destroy the Dragon race and enslave the Viking Nation of Berk.

From the ashes of this conflict, Berk has become a major utopia for both humanity and dragons, all thanks to the first dragon rider and visionary Hiccup, who struggles to live up to his late-fathers expectations as the Chieftain of Berk.

But after discovering a secret conspiracy by infamous dragon hunter called Grimmel in his endless quest to hunt his dragon Toothless, the last Night Fury, Hiccup and his family set out to find the legendary Hidden World of Dragons in his hope that mankind and dragons can continue to co-exist in peace.

'How to Train your Dragon 3' (or 'The Hidden World,' as it was subsequently subtitled) brings us to the ultimate finale. Where the stakes are raised even higher for both the people of Berk and their dragon allies.

The animation, for a start, is a big new step for the franchise and DreamWorks films in many years. And like its predecessor the aging of characters continues to be very realistic even up to the final scene.

The combination of human and dragon action is better than ever and the environments and settings are spectacular to gaze upon.

The voice acting and dialogue is well orchestrated and written in with the story that flows and continues to get better from each act at a time.

The story, in general, is the best I've seen in this series so far, and truly shows a large amount of tension as to how far Hiccup and Berk would go to make Man and Beast co-exist as equals.

The story also brings back the long lost vibe that such films as 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' had once before.

The drama and situations are written in well and bring in much needed character developments to the leads such as Hiccup and Toothless and to newer characters.

And how they end the story is brilliant and a very definitive way to close the trilogy on a high note by having the dragons returning from whence they came in order for both Berk and dragons to be safe from future Danger.

The characters continue to grow better such as Hiccup as he finally goes from village nobody, to dragon trainer, to warrior and finally as the Chief that his father wishes him to be in perfect transition.

And his chemistry with Toothless is much more personified and his aiding of him to get close to the female night fury is ingenious.

Astrid shows much more stronger development from her many other appearances and continues to be the biggest female Viking Badass in battle while showing many powerful, romantic moments with Hiccup and his daughter in-law relationship towards Hiccup's mother throughout.

The villain may not have much of a soul-shattering human motivation like Drago did as to why he wants to kill the dragons.

Grimmel is actually as much more Intelligent and far more dangerous and resourceful antagonist than the latter. And with the acting of F. Murray Abraham, you have a very sinister foe you wouldn't want to cross.

The side characters of Gobber, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut and Tuffnut continue to provide more and inventive comic relief. Enough to bring in many moments of laughter even when things get much more serious.

Oh, and if you were expecting me to include some dislikes here, well, sorry, for this entire movie is as flawless as a polished sports car!

The incredible thing about this movie is that 'How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World' proves for the first time in many years that ending a franchise on a definitive high note IS and CAN still be made possible.

Other animated film series', such as 'Shrek', 'Despicable Me' and 'Cars' have all tried to end their trilogies in a good way but never seem to push their boundaries enough to bring audiences something new that they could love.

But never say never as 'The Hidden World' has everything that a finale could ever want with enough story, drama, danger, humor, romance, likable characters and heart stopping twists that brings this beloved series the perfect closure it deserves!

As for a closer look at a few of the lovely Bonus Features, in The Dragon Sheep Chronicles, protecting sheep from the dragons of Berk is no easy task but Hiccup has a plan!

In A Deck of Dragons, we observe four new dragons as Fishlegs unveils his original deck of dragon trading cards and in Astrid’s Whole Dragon Trilogy in 60 Seconds, well hold on tight as Astrid sums up the whole dragon trilogy in a legendary 60 seconds!

Welcome to New Berk features Hiccup as your guide and who gives us a firsthand look at the updated Viking village of New Berk. And in How I Learned from Dragons the diverse cast of characters reveal why they think the dragon trilogy is so special.

Finally there is a rather wonderful FREE game entitled 'Train Your Own Dragon' inside the packaging which includes an exclusive Virtual Pet! This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.39:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs via 1080p and comes with the Special Features of:

Alternate Opening with Intro by Writer/Director Dean DeBlois
Two Shorts: Bilby and Bird Karma
Deleted Scenes (with Intros by Writer/Director Dean DeBlois)
• How to Voice Your Viking
• Creating an Epic Dragon Tale
• How I Learned from Dragons
The Dragon Sheep Chronicles
Welcome to New Berk
A Deck of Dragons
• Growing Up with Dragons
• The Evolving Character Design of Dragons
• Drawing Dragons
• Epic Villain
Astrid's Whole Dragon Trilogy in 60 Seconds
Feature Commentary (by Writer/Director Dean DeBlois, Producer Bradford Lewis and Head of Character Animation Simon Otto)
Feature Commentary - The Evolving Character Design of Dragons
Brave Wilderness Presents: Nature + Dragons = Awesome

The 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World: 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital' (+ Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD) will be released May 21st, 2019 and will be available for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.

Official Trailer

Official Website

Official Facebook Page

www.UPHE.com





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