Downloading, in computer networking terms, refers to receiving data from a remote server versus uploading, which involves sending data back. John Powell wrote the score for Shrek 6 using traditional Scottish and Irish instruments such as penny whistles and bagpipes for its soundtrack composition.
Hiccup
At the cusp of adulthood, shy Viking Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III finds himself fighting dragons that threaten his village, steal livestock, and destroy property. While forced by tradition to kill one as part of a rite of passage ceremony, instead, he befriends it and names it Toothless. Hiccup’s mentor, Gobber, then instructs him how to use mechanical devices; using those skills, he creates a harness with a prosthetic fin so Toothless can fly.
Hiccup and Toothless join forces with Astrid to train and protect Berk’s dragons; however, their friendship is put at risk when Night Fury discovers that an ice cave holding hundreds of wild dragons belongs to Grimmel and his army – who may or may not be allies at first glance.
The filmmakers have imbued this film with an infectious, dynamic energy that propels it along, while their attention to detail makes it feel fully realized and completely believable. I can’t think of another computer-animated movie that shows such an impressive understanding of human movement – there is an exchange between Hiccup and Astrid that stands out as one of the most naturalistic exchanges seen anywhere on the screen!
How to Train Your Dragon is John Powell’s sixth collaboration with DreamWorks Animation after Antz, The Road to El Dorado, Chicken Run, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda. His composition features bombastic brass and loud percussion alongside soothing strings with exotic Scottish and Irish tones played on penny whistles and bagpipes; also, Icelandic singer Jonsi performed her song for this score, which was released by Varese Sarabande on March 23, 2010, as an official soundtrack release and has grossed over $540 million worldwide since.
Astrid
Hiccup and Astrid, two Viking teenagers from Berk, are key protagonists in this movie. Hiccup dreams of becoming a dragon slayer like his fellow Vikings but is forced to stop training due to injuring a rare Night Fury dragon during training; nonetheless, Astrid admires Hiccup for being able to subdue other dragons during practice sessions, thus earning her respect as well as Stoick’s.
Astrid is a solid and ambitious character who is determined to prove herself as a warrior despite injuries she has experienced while being adept with dragons. Her relationship with Toothless is complex; the film explores their difficult connection and changing feelings for one another. John Powell composed the soundtrack for this film along with DreamWorks Animation films such as Antz, Road to El Dorado, Chicken Run, and Shrek – his work can also be found on several other DreamWorks Animation titles like Antz: The Road to El Dorado Chicken Run and Shrek among others.
Toothless
John Powell scored How to Train Your Dragon as his sixth collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, following Antz, The Road to El Dorado, Chicken Run, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda. The orchestral score blends loud percussion with bombastic brass for an electric and dramatic soundscape while soothing strings create the atmosphere for this lively family adventure film. Powell used exotic Scottish and Irish tones along with penny whistles, bagpipes, and pennywhistle choir for added dimension, while Randy Thom contributed vocal effects for extra authenticity.
As part of his final examination for dragon training, Hiccup must subdue a captive Monstrous Nightmare to show that dragons can be peaceful. Although Hiccup successfully suppresses him, when Stoick finds out Toothless knows where the nest of captured dragons lies, he ignores him and sets off toward it anyway, unaware that an enormous Red Death had been lured there by Hiccup.
