Dreamworks Animation has knocked it out of the park with their latest release How to Train Your Dragon. Pixar levels of brilliance are achieved through a simple, yet engaging story about a teenage Viking and his unusual new pet. Missing are Dreamwork’s usual snarky pop-culture references and toilet humor, which only date their past releases.

Knocked Up and She’s out of My League star Jay Baruchel voices Hiccup, a socially-awkward weakling living in the shadow of his fierce, dragon-hunting dad, Stoick, voiced by Gerard Butler. But when Hiccup captures a giant black dragon he names Toothless, his entire world changes as he learns more and more about taming the wild beast. He soon rises to the top of his class, a surprise that baffles the rest of the village.

At its core, How to Train Your Dragon is a timeless tale of a boy and his dog. Except the dog is a colossal, flame-breathing monster. Emotions and heart are hard to come by in films these days, but Dragon will have you caring about the characters from the very start.

The 3D effects are extremely impressive, arguably comparable to Avatar.

Though rated PG, I would recommend this film for kids 8 and up, as it can get a little violent at times.

 The 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is no lie, How to Train Your Dragon is an instant classic that will be talked about on day in the same breath as such E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial.