All Kinds of Awesome With Vikings and Dragons

So, call me biased but I think Vikings are pretty fricken awesome. Tough, violent, crazy, funny, and with a kind of F*** the World attitude seen only in the most badass of warriors. They’re probably some of the coolest things to come out of Europe, since ever. But there is one thing that can give them a run for their money in the World of Awesome things:

Dragons. Those flame throwing, flying, reptilian monsters of legend that have adorned myths and legends as both wise teachers and terrible foes. So awesome were they that the Viking put carved dragon heads on the prows of their ships.

So, what could be cooler than a movie that has both Vikings and Dragons? Well, to be honest not much. The new How to Train Your Dragon movie that came out over the weekend figured this out and ran with it. Based on a pretty popular book series, which I haven’t read, it rocked the Awesome Meter to 10. Starting out with the basic, but very enjoyable premise of Vikings fighting Dragons it played jokes and ran around with all the common tropes, including Horned Helmets.

And then the Vikings learned to ride the Dragons.

As if two of the most badass killers of the ancient world fighting was enough to doom the world, they go for the team up. That’s right, Vikings ridding Dragons.

You’re so F***ed now.

Yet, this didn’t stop the movie from being a very heartwarming and touching story, even for a badass Viking like myself. (Well, crazy ass Viking at least.) Hiccup and Astrid had a very well put together and written relationship. Hiccup and the Nightfury dragon Toothless worked well together. And having Gerard Butler (the greatest man of our time) and Craig Ferguson as Vikings was all kinds of epic funny and awesome.

I recommend everyone with even a passing interest in Vikings or Dragons to check it out. You won’t be sorry. Btw, try Imax 3D. It makes everything better.

Real Vampires Don't Sparkle

With the advent of Twilight and the Doom known as Screaming Fangirls, I had come to believe that the vampire was dead (all puns intended). My real basis for vampires was that wonderful book Dracula, where the vampire was more than just seductive, but was a monster you could really fear. The anime/manga Hellsing was along the same lines. In Jim Butcher's amazing Harry Dresden series, vampires carry on the monster side of the genre. So for me, Twilight was something that violated everything about vampires. The fact that so many seem to not only go along with it, but enjoy it, told me that vampires were all but finished as a respectable monster and for use as main protagonists in stories.

Then, I saw Daybreakers. It was nothing like expected. From the previews, I figured it would be an alright move, entertaining, and a good way to spend a couple of hours. From the first scene, though, I knew this movie was different and believe me, it was. Vampires didn't sparkle, they blew up like grenades. Sunlight killed them. They weren't angst ridden immortals bent on seducing beautiful young women. They were much like everyday people, just hungry for blood and more than willing to kill for it. It didn't go places I thought it would, instead, it went where I didn't expect too. I'm not going to say where at this time, because I don't want to spoil anything for people, but trust me this movie is worth your time and money.

Daybreakers made vampires, at least for a few hours, something I could respect again. While it may never make as much as Twilight, or be as popular, I think it is better regardless. So live on, Fanged Friends, and keep your Vampire hand strong.