“How to Train Your Dragon” Refreshingly PWDs Friendly

Cross posted on my page at What’s the deal with Disability.

First let me say spoilers ahead. Please do not read if you haven’t seen the movie “How to Train your Dragon” or ever want to see it. I fully recommend that you see this film (in 2-D not in the uber-crazed 3-D because it ruins the sharpness of the color) and then feel free to come back and read this post.
Still here? Wait a bit longer; there are people in the back that still need to leave….LOL
O.K.
“How to Train your Dragon” is a computer animated film distributed by DreamWorks SKG, and it is expressly written for kids. It has a predictable plot structure for this particular genre complete with companions we have seen in other ensemble films featuring young adults. But what struck me the most, is how friendly the film is to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) as well as DWD (if you seen the film you can fill in DWD acronym your self). In the film, there are several characters that have physical disabilities: amputees mostly, a consequence of having a generations long war with dragons ( though one could argue that FishLegs has savant-like knowledge of dragons; in actuality he is just used to give humorous allusions to D+D for the rest of us geek-nerds ). Yet, surprisingly none of the PWD characters or DWD characters fall into many of clichés and stereotypes that often plague PWD in action adventure films like this. What’s more so is that each character has a specific moment in the film that exemplifies their personality not being defined solely by their disability.

First there is Gobber the Belch He has lost his left hand and right foot in the war against the dragons. This fact however does not make him an invalid or dependant on the rest of the village, in fact the village readily depends on him to make weapons, train new Viking recruits, as well as continue to fight dragons with a slew of prothstetic attachments with military applications. Gobbers’ personality over disability moment comes toward the end of the film when his best friend Stoick the Vast ( the main character’s father) decides to buy his fleeing people some time by facing the main villain alone. Gobber won’t hear of it and decides to help his friend in the face of insurmountable odds. It was that moment when they clasp hands in brotherhood and look into each other’s eyes that the audience knows they are equals, willing to die for one-another.
Another Character with a disability in the film is the dragon Toothless. I won’t spoil how he gets disabled or why he is called toothless. Even though we are exposed to Gobber early on It is through the character of toothless that the audience can understand the importance of assistive technology in allowing PWDs (in this case DWD) to live fully productive and complete lives (one could also argue that this negatively represents PWD due to Toothless’ reliance on other characters to regain an independent self identity. But I think that point is moot in the face of a development of deep friendship based on trust and respect for each other as equals). Because of this, Toothless’s personality over disability moment comes early on when regardless of disability Toothless is still perceived as a fierce dragon, a loyal friend and a compassionate companion.
SPOILER***
The third and final character that has a disability in the film is Hiccup. Hiccup acquires his disability during the final battle with the main villain. Even though the moment of the big reveal is drawn out (I suspect to inspire sympathy) the reaction from the Village is a Hero’s welcome. Hiccups moment where character trumps disability is after the battle he is not coddled, pitied, force by the village, or his father to “take it easy”. He is as unrestricted and free as he was when he had all four limbs. He is not seen as other, as less than. As a person with a disability it is always refreshing when it treats characters with Disabilities as people.
Side Note: I was also impressed that Hiccup’s prosthetic leg resembled the shock absorber adaption that a lot of amputees used when they are running
Side Side Note: I was a bit disappointed that the film did not have a more positive, multi-faceted feminist message that did not run into the same tired clichés (explosions accompanying a sexy slow mo shot). However I am glad to see a more natural body image for women being displayed that did not reflect on their ability to be both warrior and mother (even though the main female character is still super thin and hot (by conventional aka shallow society standards)