Contrasting outcomes for two sequels

“HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2.” Its protagonist doesn’t let his disability get in the way of his dreams.

The new comedy flick, “22 Jump Street,” drearily illustrates what happens when a sequel is trotted out just because the original movie made money, and its producers want to do more of the same.

This time around, instead of investigating crime in high school, the young cop-heroes (Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum) got to college, instead—but, pretty much the same plot unreels. The result is self-spoofing taken to such depths that it’s no longer funny.

After this virtually xeroxed sequel, you would think that the film franchise’s producers would slink off in sullen silence—but, you’d be wrong. They end this film with a “preview” of (imaginary) future sequels, which serially take the leads to military school, culinary school, fashion school—eeek!

‘Dragon, 2’

For its part, “How To Train Your Dragon 2,” is also a sequel, but it fares much better than the “Jump Street” franchise. This time around, our hero, Hiccup, and his trusty dragon, Toothless, are involved in an airborne war involving hundreds of dragons, who have been captured by the movie’s vile villain to do his nefarious bidding.

The story has turned darker this time around, and the introduction of two combative giant monsters is too far-out to be taken seriously, but other elements of the production, like its visual creativity and dramatic subplots and interrelationships, are more productive.

For one thing, it’s instructive and inspiring to see that the film’s hero is far from physically perfect, having lost a foot when he was really small. But, he doesn’t let his disability get in the way of his plans and dreams for himself—and we hope the lesson is not lost on other disadvantaged youths who watch this movie.

We also love the vocal portrayal by Cate Blanchett of Hiccup’s long-lost mother. With her expressive voice alone, the acclaimed actress is able to communicate a rich panoply of emotions that hits viewers when they live and breathe—and make “Dragon 2” much more than just an animated romp.