Oscars 2015: Disney Wins It All!

The 87th Academy Awards have revealed their winners in the animation categories. And as you probably guessed from the title of this post, the Oscar goes to…

DreamWorks Pushes How to Train Your Dragon 3 to 2017

As How To Train Your Dragon 2 is crossing the $600 million dollar mark worldwide, DreamWorks Animation have just announced that the third instalment in what's arguably their best franchise has been pushed back, from its original release date of 17th June, 2016 to almost a year later, 9th June, 2017.

Another HTTYD2 Review - These People Are Really Mean to Sheep!

The RSPCA should really have a word with the people of Berk about their treatment of sheep...

*This review contains major spoilers. We find that a lot of the main talking points for HTTYD2 involve discussing the film in depth, so if you haven't seen it yet, don't read any further! Beware spoilers!*

Back in 2010, DreamWorks released a true gem of modern animation; it was only by the bad luck of it being released the same year as Pixar's Toy Story 3 that the film didn't get awards left, right and centre. That film, of course, was How to Train Your Dragon, the touching, exciting and epic story of young Viking Hiccup and his bizarre choice of best friend - a fire-breathing Night Fury dragon, named Toothless. And there has been a phenomenal amount of hype surrounding the much anticipated sequel, which has been playing in America for a few weeks now (Munir has actually already reviewed the film for this site here), and has been previewing on select days in the UK, ahead of a general release on Friday. So, here's a second A113Animation review of How to Train Your Dragon 2 - and I also really rather liked it.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review - A Sequel Done Right

DreamWorks Animation has been in a rut lately. Not creatively, but financially. The once powerhouse studio, has now become accustomed to sustaining heavy loses with their animated films. Rise of the Guardians, Turbo and, most recently, Mr. Peabody & Sherman have joined the list of box office underperformers. That does not mean the films are bad (Guardians and Peabody are great, in fact), but lousy marketing has prevented them from earning big money and becoming big franchises, which ultimately is what the studio seeks in every animated film they release. After all these 'risky' endeavours, it's understandable that the studio would release a sequel to a film that many consider their best film to date. Sure, sequels are nothing new, but, more often than not, they disappoint creatively by becoming merely retreads of the first film. DreamWorks is no stranger to ruining franchises (the last two Shrek films are complete train wrecks) but recently the studio has strived to make more serious and heartfelt films, and to shy away from the 'sitcom-esque' model that prevailed for most their previous films. So it's comforting to see that they have actually taken the time to make a sequel worthy of its predecessor and, without any reservation, I can call How to Train Your Dragon 2 the best DreamWorks film to date.

Watch The First 5 Minutes of How to Train Your Dragon 2 Here

A couple of days ago, Yahoo! Movies released the first five minutes from what may well end up being the best animated film of the year. Yep, DreamWorks released an extended look at their hotly-anticipated How to Train Your Dragon 2! Check it out below.

[UPDATED] (Very) Early Oscar Predictions for Best Animated Feature

I know most animated films scheduled for this year haven't even been released yet, but I think it'll be fun to make some predictions based on what we know of each film and weigh up their chances of receiving a nod next year for the next Oscar ceremony. So, without much further ado, here are my (very) early predictions for next year's Academy Awards.

Watch: New How to Train Your Dragon 2 Trailer (But Beware, There Be Spoilers)

DreamWorks have rolled out a second full-length theatrical trailer for their hotly anticipated sequel to 2010's How to Train Your Dragon! The film looks extremely exciting, with lots of intense action and warm humour, but this trailer does pack the same spoiler as the previous one. So if you want to go into the film un-spoiled, maybe give it a swerve.

New How to Train Your Dragon 2 Trailer: Beware Dragon Hunters and Spoilers

The first full length trailer for DreamWorks' hotly-anticipated How to Train Your Dragon 2 has arrived, and it's fantastic! Unfortunately, it also packs a pretty hefty spoiler. But first, the positives: the film looks absolutely phenomenal. More dragons, more intensity, more badassery, and the set-up for what looks to be one of DreamWorks' most mature films yet - it's a trailer worth watching... most of it, anyway.

Meet Cate Blanchett-Voiced Dragon Rider in New How to Train Your Dragon 2 Still

The sequel to DreamWorks' 2010 hit, How to Train Your Dragon, seems in many ways poised to be even bigger and better than the original. We got an intense teaser trailer for the film back in July, and now we've got a new still, introducing an interesting new character, voiced by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett! Meet Valka.

Awesome New Poster for How to Train Your Dragon 2

20th Century Fox have released an intense new poster for DreamWorks' hotly anticipated sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2! Hiccup's looking badass, Toothless's looking imposing, and the film's looking incredibly exciting.

Check Out the Logo for How to Train Your Dragon 2

Well, no subtitle in sight, but here's the official logo for DreamWorks' highly anticipated sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2. Not much to say really, it says the film's name... And it definitely looks a bit more dragon-y than the original film's logo. Quite striking.

HTTYD2 is directed by Dean DeBlois (Chris Sanders, who directed the first film with DeBlois, is relegated to an executive producer role this time round, due to - as he discussed in our interview - his commitments to The Croods) and produced again by Bonnie Arnold. If you haven't yet, make sure you check out the phenomenal teaser trailer we got for the film a couple of months ago.

Dragon 2 hits cinemas on 13th June, 2014 (US)/4th July, 2014 (UK).

Via The Rotoscopers

The Top 5 Animated Films to Watch for in 2014

Just over half the way into 2013, it may seem a little premature to start looking forward to next year. And that would be true, if next year weren't looking so damn appetising. Sequels, adaptations and original concepts populate an increasingly more exciting 2014, and here are A113Animation's top 5 animated films to keep your eyes on.

Limited Edition Comic-Con How to Train Your Dragon 2 Print by Drew Struzan

Legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzan has made a limited edition print for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon 2 for lucky Comic-Con attendees. Director Dean DeBlois took to Vine to record a little message introducing the beautiful thing. Check it out below.

This Week on A113Animation (8th - 14th July, 2013)

This was a pretty mammoth week for animation news. Disney managed to both enrage and delight us, with some irritating release dates and remake news vs. exciting trailers and intriguing plot details; there were a few magnificent trailers, some intense posters, a crackpot theory and more! We've also got your latest Disney Retrospective and Futurama, A Swan Song columns, and a review of Pixar's Monsters University! Check out links to the past seven days of A113Animation shakings and happenings below.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Teaser Trailer: It's Not Just Dragons That Can Fly

Now this is a teaser trailer. Pure and honest, this one continuous sequence teases the audience with one of presumably numerous exciting, innovative things to come in DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon 2.

The sequel to DreamWorks' most critically acclaimed hit yet, 2010's How to Train Your Dragon, jumps five years, and sees a significantly more dreamy-looking Hiccup trying out a new hair-raising trick. Dean DeBlois, who co-directed the first film with Chris Sanders, is at the helm solo this time round, with Sanders admitting to us that he has "not been super involved". Nonetheless, DeBlois seems to be doing a sterling job anyway!

Interview: Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco, Directors of The Croods

Last month, DreamWorks released their first film under Fox, the prehistoric family comedy, The Croods. We here at A113Animation really rather liked it: it's warm, it's funny and it's visually stunning. So I was very pleased to get the opportunity to talk to its two directors, Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco, late last week.

I'd like to pass on my sincerest thanks to Chloe Adams at 20th Century Fox for setting up the interview, and to Chris and Kirk for taking the time out of their very hectic schedules to fit in an eager fanboy - and for putting up with my God-awful connection.

Kirk has been involved in the production for nine years now, whereas Chris worked on the project both before and after his enormous success with How to Train Your Dragon. In our 20 minute interview, Chris, Kirk and I discuss The Croods, its lengthy production, its recently announced sequel, working with Roger Deakins, Chris's involvement with How to Train Your Dragon 2, and more! Check the transcription of our chat out below.

First Look: How to Train Your Dragon 2

At CinemaCon last week, as part of their extensive animation panel, Fox treated attendees to a little look at the sequel to DreamWorks' acclaimed 2010 hit. Today, some pictures, showing promotional material for How to Train Your Dragon 2, have surfaced online.

Fox at CinemaCon: Dragon 2, Peabody, Epic, Peanuts and More!

Disney had a very packed showing at CinemaCon this week, splashing details and footage from their Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar properties (although very little from their own animated films), but 20th Century Fox weren't slouching with the promotion for their own powerful animation stable either.