Chris Eberle
Overall: Well written, well animated, and enjoyable for young kids and older fans of the show. "Dragons: Race to the Edge" continues the story of Hiccup, Toothless, and the Dragon Riders of Berk, filling in the story just before the events in the film "How to Train Your Dragon II." The story flows well from the previous TV series, "Dragons: Riders of Berk/Defenders of Berk," incorporating many familiar characters as Hiccup and the gang encounter new dragons, new villains, and new challenges beyond the reaches of the archipelago. The virtues of the series lie in story development/character growth, animation quality, and voice actor performance. Caught between the end of a TV series and the start of a feature film, the story develops in a believable way to create a seamless transition in the space between both, making references to the films/TV shows for fans without confusing new viewers. The characters -- protagonists and antagonists alike -- don't remain static throughout each season, but grow in depth as they encounter different situations. It's a series my family will continue to watch again and again.