How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

While it doesn’t exactly breathe fire into a well-worn franchise, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World isn’t exactly toothless, either, especially in the visual department.

This latest follow-up to the 2010 animated adventure — based on the series of children’s books by British author Cressida Cowell — effectively adheres to the same general coming-of-age formula, even if such a strategy produces gradually diminishing returns. It takes flight, even if it rarely soars.

Those who’ve seen the previous films will pick up more quickly on the story, which finds young Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) having inherited the role of Viking tribal chief from his late father (Gerard Butler). Hiccup, after all, spearheaded the effort to bring humans and dragons together in harmony, along with his pet “Night Fury” appropriately nicknamed Toothless.

Peace on their idyllic island of Berk is threatened when a malevolent hunter (F. Murray Abraham) and his henchmen would rather wipe out the dragons and anyone who tries to stop them. At the same time, Toothless finds companionship with a female dragon named Light Fury that threatens his bond with Hiccup.

With his convictions facing the ultimate test, our hero teams with his girlfriend (America Ferrera) his mother (Cate Blanchett), and others on a perilous mission to reclaim peace.

Through its three cinematic installments — not counting television spinoffs — the series has matured along with its young protagonists, which is inevitable even if it means fewer of the intimate boy-and-his-dragon moments that convey such a playful charm.

Fortunately, the screenplay by Dean DeBlois, who has directed all three films, has a few surprises in store, such as a handful of delightful and surprisingly touching courtship sequences between Toothless and Light Fury that resemble carefully choreographed musical numbers in midair.

Meanwhile, kids should enjoy the mischievous slapstick and colorful creatures while accompanying adults can marvel at the crisp and meticulously detailed animation. Youngsters might also identify with the strong-willed yet insecure Hiccup and grasp the worthwhile lessons about courage, self-esteem, and sacrifice.

By this time, the concept is more familiar than fresh. The final act bogs down in plot mechanics and the finale never achieves the desired emotional crescendo. Still, this supposed send-off doesn’t merely feel like a cash-in, featuring some creative merit for series devotees and newcomers alike.

Rated PG, 104 minutes.