How to Train Your Dragon is a MASTERCLASS in Theme Writing

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

What other brilliant theme writing should we check out?? If you want to support the channel and learn piano while you do, be sure to use code MUSICTHEORY30 at checkout!! cornellmusicacademy.com/

[@olivernp7515]

Could you do some videos on films and videogames which use music which have already been composed, so the skill is more in how seamlessly the music and visuals combine?

[@tetsuorho]

Definitely check out more of Michael Giacchino's works, especially from 'Dawn...' and 'War for the Planet of the Apes' - 'Apes Together Strong' and 'Exodus Wounds' are definite standouts and it'd be great to hear your perspective

[@aelelrjamot]

The kung fu panda trilogy

[@SubtleHawk]

Do a video on Persona music please. Persona 5 if you have to pick one game.

[@JaydenA007]

I love the HTTYD films, I also noticed that the Toothless and Hickup themes when they first meet are minor, but when they get to know each other it goes to major and in the last film, when they part ways, the themes go to minor again.

[@rockyrakun]

Nothing gives me goosebumps like "Test Drive" the sheer feeling of adventure, freedom, and exploration it evokes is unmatched IMO.

[@clone3786]

I love the fact that he’s also very obviously also watching the scene too

[@Cologram]

Test Drive is the single greatest piece of music and scene of all time

[@plipkup7265]

No matter how much times I watch this scene, I still get goosebumps

[@TBG1]

Y'all get goosebumps? I just start to tear up every time :,)

[@clone3786]

@@TBG1 *SAME*

[@Shadow-rz5pb]

That moment when Hickup just goes "Danger! Screw the Cheat Sheet!" And just runs off instinct, it gives me chills.

[@peterrosqvist2480]

Same! It’s a huge leap of faith and demonstration of courage and trust in himself and his dragon.

[@pagey1529]

Glad I’m not the only one 🙏🏼

[@dragon_shadow_1553]

I love that scene too. Shows the level of trust both Hiccup and Toothless have established between them at this point in the story.

[@gamma3720]

I would think of it more as him becoming more confident in himelf rather than basing off instinct, because riding dragons isnt inherently instict for humans. Its more Hiccup trusting himself and what he has been training for. The cheat sheet were there because he thought he needed it, when in fact the knowledge and skills were already there, so when it came down to it, he just needed to trust himself and Toothless. It fits in with the theme of the movie and how Hiccup has always been smart and brave, he just needed some confidence to pull through with it.

[@sunsxt_rxse6940]

hiccup*

[@AudrieGreywind]

What makes the film's soundtrack even more underrated is the fact that John Powell is often regarded as someone who hasn't seen a lot of success/isn't skilled enough to be considered a great composer. Meanwhile he created one of the most brilliant scores in all of cinematic history and everyone overlooks it. This entire franchise is an underrated masterpiece in my opinion.

[@thetechnocrat4979]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Also, really nice to see you here! I really like your stuff.

[@drake7993]

Its weird because its both one of the highest rated movies of all time while also being relatively still underrated and unknown. Which is a shame

[@carmadme]

It lost to the score for the social network which isn't even entirely original and containes an old punk song calling Gerry brown a Nazi What that has to do with the film I don't know

[@PanPan-ml1ip]

The franchise isn't underrated at all. They milking it so much

[@LouizSlein]

At Film Scoring school we don’t overlook Maestro Powell

[@raevynwoods9403]

I'm a big soundtrack-listener, because I love the combination between the orchestral instruments and the very clear storytelling. The score of How to Train your Dragon was the reason I got into it all, mostly because of Forbidden Friendship. I remember seeing the movie for the first time, watching that scene, and thinking "wow, I wish I could listen to the film music separately, it's so beautiful." This was before I even knew the word soundtrack existed. Thanks for the analysis, it was great seeing my love for this music shared by you in this video.

[@maddys7281]

Oh my goodness same. I have a whole playlist now of just my favorite soundtrack orchestra songs.

[@v4lio]

Same. The first time i heard Forbidden Friendship, i cried. Im still crying to it when i get deep

[@raeyth_]

Same! The one that started it for me was Tim Burton's Alice. That is still one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. Danny Elfman did a fantastic job capturing the curious combination of whimsy, excitement, fear and curiosity of Alice in Wonderland

[@JohannSebastianWainwright]

Forbidden Friendship is an incredible piece of music.

[@cleverchimera51]

Me too!! HTTYD got me started on the film score obsession :)

[@derekhasabrain]

In my sophomore year of high school, I was in marching band, and one of our scores that year was from HTTYD, and it's still my favorite performance the marching band has ever done to this day. We won 1st in every competition that year, plus every possible additional trophy. An absolute clean sweep. I still get goosebumps thinking about it

[@sert1far716]

What a cool experience!

[@Alahmnat]

My parents were in drum & bugle corps and the score that runs over the end credits and closes out with the drums ("Coming back Around") is one of their (and my) favorite pieces. Never really heard that kind of music in a soundtrack anywhere else. It's cool to hear that it actually got performed by an actual marching band!

[@annah6778]

Our school did the same thing. I still get chills thinking about the feeling of sitting in our auditorium with 200+ people grades 5-12 playing Test Drive. I was in the band and the floor literally shook! It was probably one of the best moments of my life honestly.

[@EchoSnake999]

LUCKY!!! MAN I would love to play some HTTYD in marching band.

[@YourBassClarinetPlayingPetDuck]

That would be such a fun soundtrack to march currently I’m playing it in concert band and I can’t imagine how fun it would be to march

[@the_furf_of_july4652]

I think another key aspect of what makes test drive so amazing is that they implicated toothless as the strings and hiccup as the brass. The reason the peak hits so hard is because BOTH instruments are playing the theme in unison for once.

[@Simon-ho6ly]

the edinburgh tattoo did a version with bagpipes joining at this point, look it up edinburgh tattoo how to train your dragon, its crazy well done

[@sealink129]

They do something similar in “Toothless Found” in Httyd 2. The strings in that song represent the Bewilderbeast’s control over Toothless while the chorus/other instruments are used to represent Hiccup breaking through that control to free his best friend

[@SlashCraftJack]

Not even lying, but I ve been holding back tears for nearly the entire last 3rd of the video

[@brettgoldsmith9971]

@@SlashCraftJack same

[@X1ma_]

​@@SlashCraftJack I haven't been holding anything back. The score just drives into your subconscious, and makes you feel things

[@jdawgtor]

The fact that Hiccup's theme and Toothless's theme are used separately for most of the movie UNTIL that moment in Test Drive where it becomes ONE MELODY to show they have now bonded and gained each others trust is just musical brilliance! (Edit): Wow thanks for all the likes!

[@tom139o7]

Thanks for pointing that out, I had no idea!

[@milico2935]

YES! That scene is so powerful, and the way the music hits, and basically anyone who watched the movies can agree. The score is not only a lot interesting for the music nerds, but it sells the point so greatly to EVERYONE watching.

[@cofiddle]

just, BRILLIANCE!!

[@laner.845]

I have never seen its equal, not even in anything the Master John Williams wrote.

[@pvt.paula4423]

@@milico2935 I think it's always fascinating that everyone can hear the brilliance of this song writing. Even if you're not interested in music you can hear this emotional moment. This is what I love about music on the one hand it's kind of scientific and everything has its physical background but everyone can enjoy and kind of realise the musical power that is packed into such scenes...

[@puddlemereunited2215]

ALSO on the brilliance of John Powell, that “Test Drive” theme that combines toothless and hiccup’s motifs is played in several keys throughout the trilogy, mostly ranging from Db to E. But the VERY last track in the third movie (Once There Were Dragons) where Hiccup and Toothless meet each other’s families and fly off to a “future where one day dragons and humans can coexist together”, we hear the Test Drive theme rise up to F major, its highest key yet! I love the symbolism behind the highest key of the theme and Hiccup and Toothless rising to the highest point in their journey together before going their separate ways. SO good

[@Julia-gc9ns]

Thank you for pointing that out. I was going to write the same thing.

[@TheOnlyOne516]

That's so cool! I didn't know that!

[@RaindropsBleeding]

Insights like this, that just peel back even more layers on the depth and measure of care given to this film are like ambrosia on my lips. Thank you for this.

[@harp3386]

@@RaindropsBleedingyou’ve described it using the perfect analogy lol

[@llazarrus4405]

It doesn't matter how many times I hear Test Drive, it ALWAYS makes me cry. The most amazing piece of film score I have ever heard.

[@Mububban23]

It's just a perfect *moment* in moviemaking, where everything comes together to achieve something amazing. I'm sitting here crying watching it again!

[@carolinaleite8107]

same honestly, im BAWLING my eyes out

[@Erish_7]

me too bud , me too

[@s0ftmarshmelloo]

What about Forbidden Friendship? Either way they’re both amazing

[@Erish_7]

and romantic flight@@s0ftmarshmelloo

[@nathancroud3730]

My absolute favorite part of Test Drive is the shift between themes based on control. Toothless' theme plays when he's in control, specifically at the beginning and end of the scene, where they're just gliding. It also plays when he's using his wings as a parachute. Hiccup is simply a passenger at these points, and has no control over the flying. But Hiccup's theme comes in whenever he takes control and starts flying along with Toothless. Finally, when Hiccup tosses the cheat sheet and decides to trust Toothless, you hear the triumphant side of his score as they fly through the rocks. It's an amazing piece of work, truly. This series as a whole is my favorite among all animated movie series.

[@ncard00]

Anna Lapwood playing "Test Drive" on the GIANT Royal Albert Hall organ is just an otherworldly sound experience, please go listen to and share her video of that right now!!! The Davy Jones theme is also insane!

[@goatboy_4460]

I think it is safe to say "Test Drive" is one of THE BEST cinematic music compositions of all time. It both makes me feel hopeful and excited while making me nearly tear up when I'm not even sure why. It's just beautiful and perfectly wrote.

[@Honeydoyou]

I’m crying just from this video alone. It’s truly a masterpiece

[@pannimore5872]

@@Honeydoyou bro same ;-;

[@wallywallace2184]

In all honesty my favorites are certain parts in all of the songs, and I could listen to "new tail" and "see you tomorrow!" all day.

[@firefarmer6287]

so true

[@justorion7234]

​@@Honeydoyoulikewise here, it reaches for your soul💖

[@Ani]

HTTYD is my favourite movie of all time, and that's in no small part thanks to the music. I've yet to come across another piece of music that moves me as HUGELY as HTTYD's does, be that due to nostalgia or something more.

[@NearlyBatman]

Same bro.

[@anomanomom239]

Many of the writers and animators from original HTTYD worked on the series Arcane that aired on Netflix some time ago. The music there while somewhat cheesy but makes you feel some heavy emotions. You might enjoy it.

[@snehaprakash8097]

SAME

[@napilopez]

Same. It's SO good. I saw it on a whim on release night in the largest IMAX in the US, and I'm so glad I did. It was also by the the best 3D experience I've ever seen in theaters. But the music. It's so good. HTTYD is as close as anything I've seen to a perfect movie.

[@napilopez]

Actually, I should clarify that I watched it 5 times in theaters... The only movie I've ever done that for.

[@adacskipper]

Man, 10 years later and that scene still sends chills up my spine. Its gotta be one of the best animated scenes ever.

[@egbert5871]

same lol 100%

[@JelisW]

Oh God it's been 10 years?! No way. 😱

[@yeetlord9060]

Wait wot

[@saplingdatree4111]

Take out the "one of" and the second 's' in "scenes" ;)

[@jorgechavez7211]

12 years, it came out in 2010 lol, we are now in 2022

[@burnedbytheword]

The fact that you planned, wrote for, and practiced for this video and you STILL showed so much excitement for Test Drive is a credit to the brilliance of the composition and orchestration and its destined fusion with the animation into possibly the highest point of the genre. Thank you so much!

[@ryujinzero1253]

Same. I love seeing you basically expressing on your face and in your performance EXACTLY the elation this score makes me feel!

[@dutchorchidhouse]

Yes! Watching your huge smile when Hiccup and Toothless finally worked together made me also grin from ear to ear :)

[@Firomus]

I love the sheer joy on Charles' face throughout the entire time he was talking about Test Drive. The song just gets you feeling things

[@OrojinMusic]

This is one of my favorite soundtracks and made me fall in love with John Powell as a composer. My wife and I had "from the dancing and dreaming" from HTTYD2 as our first dance in our wedding.

[@EJ-rz7gi]

Wow! That must have been a magical wedding 😭 what an inspiring story man 🙏

[@straightshootinwithsamuel]

are you also a how to train your dragon fan? that is a great idea I think I might do that

[@annadavis9924]

I walked down the aisle to the first verse of that song! And Forbidden Friendship was in our pre-ceremony list 😍

[@EJ-rz7gi]

@@annadavis9924 Wow what a wonderful moment that could have been *i'm not tearing up, you are*sobs*

[@harleenschenk4469]

I love thar song, one of my favorites. I play it during our anniversary. Sure we had a different song during our first dance, but it is perfect

[@moosevast7592]

After watching Phoebe's video, I don't agree that the second half of Hiccup's theme is actually a theme for Hiccup. I'm fairly certain that it's actually a theme for friendship/trust, one of the leading thematic drivers of the movie. The main evidence I have for this is that it's never played in the film around Hiccup alone, it's always in conjunction with another character. And, when it gets "minor-ized" on the boat scene, it's losing friendship/breaking trust, with BOTH Toothless and Stoic. What this means is that the emotional heart of the movie, Test Drive, is actually a blending of THREE themes, not just two, and they all resolve into one of the most memorable scenes in film. It's truly a marvel how well Powell understood the characters and shaped the franchise, because without the instantly recognizable score, the series would not be the same.

[@lucvandoornick2323]

Yes I agree, thats why this theme is also played at the beginning when berk, their village gets introduced, because they all know and trust each other.

[@torunsmok5890]

@@lucvandoornick2323 and is kinda treated as the main theme of the story moving forward in all the httyd stuff, bc that's a core theme not just of the first movie but of the whole httyd franchise

[@treeckothegecko3409]

John Powell confirmed it was Hiccup's theme in an interview though.

[@Codebreakerblue]

Eh maybe the composer's wrong :P In all seriousness I love this detail and I totally agree, this movie and this score is incredible in so many ways.

[@TheBestAsbestos13]

@@Codebreakerblue "Death of the Composer" haha

[@MissAlyssa108]

Also when you were talking about Wounded, I realized that Hiccup losing his WHOLE LEG is like the most serious consequence in an animated movie, but it makes it more impactful. Not only for the reflecting Toothless's injury but also how risking ACTUAL life and LIMB is sometime worth it even if you do lose the limb.

[@stephengere3937]

Yup, it really gives his character and world actual stakes, instead of just a happy ending. There's consequences to things, even when you're doing them for the right reasons.

[@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice]

@@stephengere3937 Not only that, but it's also great for the very rarely represented disabilities demographic, especially children with disabilities. Having a hero like Hiccup to look up to and show them that at least some people think disabled people are worth something, that means a lot.

[@KaneyoriHK]

There's a constant sort of brass or strings that makes it instantly recognizable as HTTYD. It's iconic. The music is just so itself that I appreciate.

[@KaneyoriHK]

Also the sheer look of excitement in Charles' face during the moment where he's playing along with the scene where hiccup and toothless regains control, it's just amazing, and I FEEL that

[@BigLousClubhouse]

That "Test Drive" sequence never fails to give me chills and bring a slight tear to my eye... EVERY DAMN TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter how many times I've seen it!!!!!!!!!! EVERY... TIME!!!!!!!!!

[@melodyonrepeat2928]

The test drive scene makes me emotional, even when you’re talking over it. This film is amazing.

[@gemyellow]

it hits equally every time

[@lvnna]

God, right? I tear up every time I listen to it, what a beautiful story of friendship, trust and love they've told with this movie

[@tbknick6703]

@@lvnna same tho even when its used in tiktoks i tear up XD

[@mlggaming9876]

The same here it brings so much nostalgia from the past

[@shortForPychael]

When I was in marching band in high school, we as students came to the collective agreement that a how to train your dragon show would be insanely good and fun. It may have been the first time in history that more than 100 high schoolers agreed on anything, and we were all incredibly excited about it. Then our band director did “Hits from the 80’s” and I cried.

[@KingHoborg]

Ah yes, the classic 'Hits from the 80's' Marching Band thing. Glad, but also sad, to hear that it's a universal constant.

[@elliotr9095]

In what may have been the first of its kind in history, more than 100 high school band students simultaneously walked out of their Band class in protest. "We didn't want to offend our teacher... but no one was on board with his idea. And his idea didn't appeal to anyone but himself," said one student, John Doe, 17 (senior at Local High School)

[@JaggedFish104]

My school has “Taking Flight” from the movie as our opener. Performing it this weekend I think

[@spafhetti]

Our show for marching band right now is "take flight" and we're doing themes from top gun, fly me to the moon, and test drive from how to train your dragon and the last part hits so hard

[@brandencorey]

my senior year had an entire field show dedicated to how to train your dragon! it was so much fun, check out bergenfield high school 2017 marching band if you're interested

[@cardamonrolls]

Whenever I hear "Test Drive" I cry. Every. Single. Time. Including during your breakdown. Thanks for helping me understand why this has had such a big emotional impact

[@RodrigoLopesBrazil]

I loved that you mentioned that because I was hiding my tears right now.

[@tmcwilliam01]

Same!

[@pendaco]

@@RodrigoLopesBrazil No need to hide them, let them flow man let them flow 😭🤘

[@cardamonrolls]

@@RodrigoLopesBrazil their friendship is so beautiful 😭

[@paulthiebaut]

relatable man, what a perfect piece of music... J.Powell❤

[@emvilegaspi3811]

Can I just say the fact he plays with the score at 14:08 and at 16:46 together gives me goosebumps

[@latch9781]

Ditto

[@sneepsnop9613]

i dont think i will ever get tired of videos where people explain and appreciate the masterpiece that is how to train your dragon and its soundtrack

[@christophermolitor4554]

Did a college paper on Test Drive. I had no idea what I was getting into when I first started really looking into that song, I just knew I loved it. It was incredible to see how much care went into this music and for me every ounce of it resonated with me, still my favorite cinematic experience ever and the music plays an enormous part in making that so.

[@NovaStella_]

Is it published anywhere? I'd be interested in reading it!

[@christophermolitor4554]

@@NovaStella_ I might be able to find it but it's probably not very good, it was first real music project on a way to a minor in a really easy. I'd probably cringe at it now that I'm on the other side lol.

[@queeny5613]

thats sounds awesome

[@JJJJ-uq6gd]

Did u find the paper yet

[@murum_yuyu]

15:08 the way I had the realization that, the score is so immaculately placed where it is that once Hiccup throws away the cheat sheet toothless and hiccups theme work together just like they do in the movie. It might sound weird but when I say I started vocally sobbing I did… this movie is literally everything to me and the score is something that when I hear it, it just brings me back to my childhood in a way that nothing else can do. So to have an adult also feel so strongly about the score like I do was a whole different feeling of community and confirmation. This movie is so freaking amazing and I wish everyone could see it from my perspective.

[@srikanthbs1175]

I cannot agree with you more. I was fully sobbing when the analysis went deep on test drive.

[@nathanratliff6576]

This is one of the very few pieces out there that brings me to tears 100% every time I hear it.

[@FloatTheBuizel]

Haha I got the likes to 420

[@mufaddalshaikh7083]

To be honest I feel the same way

[@fluffyfluffykatz]

At 13:45 Charles's absolute joy is SO contagious! He really looks like he's the one riding the dragon, and I think that's just further proof of how amazing this music is.

[@Hullyeah]

Enthusiasm is contagious! I love it!

[@biggiecheese4698]

Yeah but his name is Charles lol

[@fluffyfluffykatz]

@@biggiecheese4698 lol true, my bad, his name is so close to Chris Cornell that I keep accidentally calling him Chris. My mind betrays me sometimes haha

[@biggiecheese4698]

@@fluffyfluffykatz lol happens to all of us

[@ChefkochAntoine]

I was just about to comment on that. So beautiful to see others having the same kind of feeling while noticing this stuff.

[@viper56tl36]

14:16 seeing the amount of chills and nostalgia and joy the song gives you while you play it brings back memories of when I learned to play my very first song at a decent level of complication and I wish I could experience that all over again :(((

[@namelessnavnls8060]

16:45 It must be one of the most gloriously exhilarating feelings ever to play alongside that theme where Toothless and Hiccup regain control after plummeting out of the sky. Good gracious, I envy your knowledge and skill, Charles.

[@midnightlupus1262]

Test Drive is one of the most cohesive and well thought out scores I've heard, particularly with regards to the way it bounces between the themes of the two main characters while keeping everything in harmony to show the pair working together. The strong brass section also lets the audience into the grandeur that Hiccup feels while flying, while Toothless' theme stays in the strings as a far more natural undertone (flying is what he does, after all). I'd really like it if you took a look at the Forbidden Friendship score for this film too, as it has an almost delicate way of interweaving the characters' themes again, especially through the use of different instruments to indicate the fragility of the forming bonds.

[@yuishizu2]

Totally agree!! I would've loved to hear his take on Forbidden Friendship!

[@nathancahill2805]

I LOVE how you are literally left emotionally and physically breathless at 13:30 - and you've probably seen it a hundred times by now... It absolutely looks like you are flying with them! 🙌

[@rileydanes5456]

His laugh made expect that a gnome would pop up somewhere 🤣

[@firefarmer6287]

agreed lol

[@meable3763]

14:04 I've genuinely never seen Charles have so much fun before playing the piano

[@VanguardsFlame]

Agreed

[@malindukumaradasa3851]

All the feelings this movie gave us wouldn't hit this hard if it wasn't for the amazing music. A few years back when I was going through a tough time, I listened to this music, every single night before sleep. It made me go through an emotional rollercoster of trying, failing and succeeding before setting my mind into a relaxed state that felt wholesome and happy. Forever grateful for this piece

[@LordMarr2]

I can't tell you how many times I've heard test drive and it still gives me chills every time.

[@Astrophoenix2]

The first movie is definitely the best not only cinematic wise but the music is phenomenal! My absolutely favorite childhood movie. Thanks Charles!

[@michaelmayo2489]

And that’s no slight against the other two movies because they are both amazing movies it’s just that first movie is just an absolute masterpiece

[@Julia-gc9ns]

All three are incredible to the point where I can't pick a personal favorite, but it's very much so thanks to the greatness of the first one.

[@sunful7655]

cinematic wise i genuinely can't choose between the three movies which is better than the other since it's consistently phenomenal.... that's how you know you've made one hell of a franchise

[@bastilohh]

I also love that in „Avatar: The last Airbender“ (the show obviously) the fire nation motif comes around so often but also often in different moods, like when fire benders are made fun of the motif is also played in a goofy way.

[@harvesterman5210]

Finally he did it. Greatest soundtrack of all time

[@bernardocardoso1290]

If you like it that much I would recommend to you a video from the channel Sideways, he did brilliant breakdown of the opening of the movie

[@harvesterman5210]

@@bernardocardoso1290 seen it already lol also amazing

[@dutchorchidhouse]

I'll never forget the first time I saw this in theaters. I was in utter shock, not just from the incredible animation, but the way the musical themes tied so beautifully into the emotional and visual themes. I'm a professional musician, so I was aware of what was going on (in the musical theory sense) and the way the musical motifs were being thrown around and tossed back and forth was a complete delight for my brain as well as my heart. WHAT A RIDE!

[@lenabeans]

This whole soundtrack makes my heart race. It gives me goosebumps. My whole childhood comes flooding back and I just can't help but feel like I'm remembering something so epic. Like I remember watching the movie and just being so amazed. Eyes wide, mouth open. Just shocked. All of that comes flooding back. It's truly incredible. I am a music theory major. And I've been studying for over 5 years. I STILL can't comprehend how iconic and great composers, like Powell, just create these masterpieces. It just, comes to them! They just create it! It's insane

[@andraspapp1284]

Easily the music that had the most impact on my life and shaped my music taste. The sole reason I've started to learn how to write music, I just love it soooo much!

[@moonl1314]

me listening to NightKilla songs:

[@techheadiv]

"Test Drive" is in my workout playlist. Whenever it comes on, it brings a goosebump-filled helping of epic motivation to finish the set, keep up the pace, or hold plank a little while longer.

[@HBoyle]

Twelve years later, this film is still in my top ten. The animation is gorgeous, the story is wonderful, but the music is GOD TIER and I still cry at Test Drive 🥺🥺🥺

[@andrewlardieri4110]

Rube, DreamWorks Dragons is one of my favorite series of ALL time and John Powell did an absolutely amazing job with the scores for all 3 movies the motifs and usages of various ethnic worldly instruments really touches my heart. Great video, Charles

[@CalebWillden]

Brought me to tears and gave me even more appreciation for this masterpiece. A few years after the film came out, I remember my 7th grade band teacher showing us the opening to the film and then handing out sheet music. I was SO excited. All the way through 8th grade, every so often when the director would say "I have a surprise!" one of the students might say "How to Train Your Dragon?" To this day it was one of my favorite pieces we ever played, and it's one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@katrosemond6411]

I'm barely two minutes into this video and I already have chills... Forbidden Friendship is my favorite song on the score and it makes me tear up everytime I listen to it... which is often because I listen to film scores while I work/write... lol! edited to fix the title of the song...

[@sarahlunow2435]

The way that this movie brings joy even YEARS after its release just points to what a mastercraft of a movie it is. So overjoyed that you covered this, you brought me even more appreciation for my favorite movie ever. Was smiling the whole time!

[@Oddi0]

I am an adult man who's not afraid to admit that this movie, and this song, _always_ make me cry! Every time, without fail! I can always count on them when I need an emotional release.

[@ellarhys8984]

i get chills and tear up every time i hear test drive and/or watch the scene. it embodies the feelings of passion, hope, and freedom more than any other piece i’ve heard

[@ginabrooks7424]

Words alone cannot explain how much this movie and composition mean to me- how it sends chills throughout my whole body, my heart races, and I feel like IM riding Toothless, as if it's through my own body I'm experiencing this scene, not only my ears

[@KofieBluejay]

Definitely the best soundtrack I listen to. I freaking love John Powell, but HTTYD is clearly one step above anything else. And the writing on the second and third movie, I don’t know if that’s masterclass, but it is just absolutely marvellous. Thanks for that video.

[@bernardocardoso1290]

Go watch sideways, he made a brilliant vídeo breaking down the opening of HTTYD

[@ethannorton564]

The third movies music is still AMAZING but I feel it was downplayed based on it's usage with the visuals

[@veni_art5689]

To be honest, I like the soundtrack of the second movie the most and the movie itself gets me emotional every time. I feel like the third was more of an entertainment and not really a huge storyline except for the ending.

[@sparshkumar6173]

Charles's enthusiasm when teaching and educating never fails short which makes his content so much more enjoyable to watch!

[@shiver_fxbbx3061]

Still better than most actual teachers

[@campbellsmith1697]

For a while now, my passion for music was dead due to personal circumstances. After watching your take on my favourite Dreamworks movie, I feel that my passion for music is close to being reborn. You have no idea what this means to me. All I can say is thank you

[@ananyasayshi]

Ignore me adding these time stamps just for myself

[@nightshade8538]

Literally sobbing Httyd themes so beautiful 😭

[@pixlated_man]

I never realized how this piece merged both Toothless and Hiccup’s themes but I always knew it was such an amazing and impactful score because every time I listen to it, I get goosebumps and it’s tenfold when watching the scene

[@andraspapp1284]

Fun fact: As far as I know the story is a perfect representation of the Hero's Journey from Joseph Campbell and the music supports it extremely well. In the intro every single motif is presented except for Toothless'. Hiccup leaves the known world where a problem presented itself and enters the "Unknown" in the journey where in time he learns how to work with the unknown (Toothless and his theme) and returns to the known world where he solves the issue with his new found knowledge of the unknown. Test Drive is the moment when he learns how to handle the unknown and gets "in sync" :)

[@carmadme]

The film is simply a masterclass in how to use well worn tropes well and correctly it's not what this film does but how it does things which make it so good

[@ethannorton564]

This is one of my favorite soundtracks and really shows John Powell's master work. But what I think is even better is when two masterminds combine. The kung fu panda soundtrack was cowritten by Hans Zimmer and John Powell and they way they work together is amazing, even switching midway through tracks.

[@macaronandcheese18113]

oh, now i need to see a video on that, too! 😅

[@fooooood381]

The visualization of "Hand Zimmer" made me giggle like a kid

[@ethannorton564]

@@fooooood381 Thanks for pointing it out lmao

[@pacdset50]

I'm glad I'm not the only one obsessed with this score, it's so special to me. Thanks for the awesome breakdown Charles!

[@xsomili5501]

16:15 I’ve never thought of this before!!! This just made me appreciate this soundtrack x100 times more, and love it EVEN more if that’s possible

[@srikanthbs1175]

This tune has me in tears. Tears of joy and excitement. And it's even more incredible how toothless and hiccups themes meld almost into this pure love that is between them. It shows how much the two themes trust each other. Absolutely my favorite score of all time

[@lumililac7314]

How everything came together in "Test Drive" made me cry. I sit and freak out about soundtracks often. It's nice to see someone be so excited about them. I was feeling rather hopeless today and this video and the sheer joy on Charles' face reminded me of how wonderful the gift of music is. I've watched several other videos now and it's brightened my week considerably. I hope someday Charles will do a video on the music from Final Fantasy. Some of those games have almost every genre you can imagine on one soundtrack - all composed by Nobuo Uematsu. It would be awesome to hear his opinion on some of those amazing tracks.

[@retrotune4565]

I love how this guy explains and unveils how one of my favorite childhood movies used this amazing concept. Thanks Charles, this really was a blast to the past.

[@ProfSchlaf]

The KZbin Channel Sideways also does a great breakdown of the How to Train Your Dragon opening theme along with other great music breakdowns. Also, if you want to do more soundtrack breakdowns, the instrumentals music of Rocky from Bill Conte is so good and under represented on KZbin, especially since any attention tends to sit with the Eye of the Tiger type songs.

[@bernardocardoso1290]

Mate, sideways deserve much more attention than he have, is my favorite channel by far, his videos are brilliant, it's a shame he takes months to post something

[@TheNoviceVillage]

Oh man, he doesn't just break down the theme. He goes over how the first ten minutes of this movie sets the musical identity of the entire franchise with every theme for every character. It's an excellent video I've watched multiple times.

[@MsTenseiga]

forbidden friendship just… idk it’s like my soul blooms every time I hear it. The gentleness and sweetness of it. Pure innocence.

[@e1honor7doctorw]

I'm listening to this while feeding my 9 month old and she's practically bucking herself out of the high chair with excitement as the theme is playing! This music is beyond incredible and arguably the best of all scores ever made!

[@cubington]

That sounds so cute😅

[@andraspapp1284]

I don't think I've ever felt such a connection to any KZbinr as to you with your genuine and childlike excitement whilst listening to Test Drive, I'm crying every time I hear it 😭😭

[@Willasfantasyland]

damn, this analysis really got me tearing up all over again about this scene. i don't think i was quite this emotional even when i first saw the movie. the way you describe how their themes work together really brings a different level to the beauty of the scene.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

On top of the music, the first How to Train Your Dragon was co-directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, who also co-directed the brilliant Lilo & Stitch. That's why Toothless' personality is very similar to Stitch. So by combining the brilliance of Sanders and DeBlois with the musical talent of John Powell, you've got yourself a masterpiece

[@JonathanStockill]

My favourite is ‘This is Berk’ I can’t believe nobody else loves this!!

[@James-ke4gq]

Bro I randomly saw a clip of this music over a flying scene and I started crying. It was like a visceral reaction. I knew that a video like this would exist, because the music was that powerful

[@MusicManMatt]

One thing I’m not sure if you mentioned or not but in both “Wounded” and “Test Drive,” Hiccups theme starts on the same chord; D major. It’s the context of how Toothless is that influences the difference between the two pieces. “Wounded” goes to the flat II chord, and in that scene Toothless is injured. In “Test Drive,” the theme goes to the major IV chord, since toothless and hiccup are together

[@BrianMark1776]

Then it's mirrored in Hiccup's theme when he's wounded at the end of the film.

[@Suguimonster]

I had literal tears watching this. I've always loved this soundtrack (and this movie) and it's truly amazing seeing someone talking about it so passionately

[@premnaren8675]

As soon as he played the second part of Hiccup's theme, I teared up. The OST is a brilliant masterpiece

[@sebastianrivera3527]

I’m so glad this franchise is gradually getting more appreciation as the years pass. It’s a true masterpiece.

[@WEDurhamPE]

Dude, I’ve been trying to tell people this for years and get no traction. I freaking love this soundtrack for all the reasons you illustrate so well in your video. Please keep up the good work!!! I finally have a video I can show my musician friends that gets their attention.

[@killerbunny2021]

I remember a 10 year old me... watching this movie every day after school... and excited for this very scene. Grabbing one of the couch pillows to pretend like I'm riding a dragon as well. This moment had such a huge impact on my childhood and the fact this scene is still praised even now in 2022 makes me happy... what a masterpiece!

[@Ethan-d7v]

and in 2024 now to

[@elygivati3942]

The test drive when their themes become one new unique one is one of my fav score moments in any movie but very close is in Astrid’s first flight when her theme melds with theirs as well. Such a beautiful piece

[@Dulce_Dragonesa_2.0]

Theres just something so majestic and wild about the score that I cant explain, but always manages to take me for a nostalgic rollercoaster no matter how many times I watch the movie

[@nickcraggs1145]

for someone who grew up with this trilogy, its my favourite set of movies hands down, no arguing. have such a close bond with the movie and the meanings. this open the music up so much more than what i thought, i could already play a decent amount of the httyd song lists but hearing you play along side of the soundtrack just made my cry a little, goose bumps all over. absolutely amazing work! Forbidden friendship still holds a place in my heart as the most emotional, just wow piece.

[@jackrenai6253]

Look how happy he is playing test drive, its even, its such a good song, no matter who plays it its good.

[@myhandsaslanguage]

I was so hyped listening to you describe how the music was developing through the scene, I threw my hands in the air when Hiccup and Toothless finally “clicked,” and I punched a hanging ceiling light. (Whoops!) This movie and music are so important to me. Thank you for helping me appreciate it even more.

[@timnakautoga3512]

Probably one of the few themes that awakens a huge wave of nostalgia for me whenever I hear it. Those few themes that can do that are very close to me and really drive my appreciation for movies and music.

[@HalifaxChicken2]

So many favorite musical moments from that film. The sequence of "Forbidden Friendship", where Hiccup hits a bit of a brick wall with Toothless and is drawing idly in the dirt with a stick, and Toothless grabs a tree branch and tries to copy him... the music searches for a melody, with off-key plunks and missteps, and when everything goes almost silent and Hiccup averts his eyes and reaches out his hand and Toothless gives him a nose bump. The first moment of trust. Ah, bliss.

[@samprasfoon06]

Just listening to this video gave me goosebump and brought tears to my eyes. That's how powerful "Test Drive" is to me all these years.

[@fluffy_venus022washere5]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! The PUREEE joy in his face. That is EPICCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mikalawoods]

YES! I love this movie so much, was the perfect story I needed as a kid and the music just elevates it so much, John Powell really outdid himself.

[@chewypinecone]

So he FINALLY does this one. I’m ngl, I hate to say I haven’t been watching Charles’ videos lately, but when I saw this video pop up, there was no hesitation in clicking it. Thank you Charles!

[@miniature_marie1534]

Thank you for this video! I grew up with How to Train Your Dragon and it was this score that made me fall in love with movie soundtracks!!!

[@RubyMoon507]

This moment, the music, the animation, both components wielded so expertly never fails to bring me to tears every time i hear and see it. The second Hiccup lets go of the "thinking" part of his brain and goes with how he "feels" is the second the music changes. Its so triumphant, not only for Hiccups growth as a character, but for his relationship with Toothless and for his people. Its the moment that changes everything and they managed through their expertise and mastery to fully encapsulate that.

[@JaggedFish104]

My college marching band is playing “Taking Flight/Test Drive” as our opener for a show and that made me click on this video. I didn’t realize when I first heard all of this music years ago how amazing it was. Now 10+ years of musical experience later I’m constantly getting goosebumps hearing this masterpiece of a theme.

[@mymo_in_Bb]

Just hearing the words "test drive" made my spine chill, because of how epic that musical moment is

[@bobylob4625]

One of my favorite parts of test drive is the voicing difference between the first time hiccup’s theme appears and the second time. The notes being played are almost identical but the instruments playing them is entirely different and I love the contrast and the impact it has on the story.

[@bubbasgotback431]

Part of what makes me love this soundtrack and themes is just how much you can understand and take away from it without even needing to be a musician or composer. Even if you just have a basic understanding of literary theming, you can piece together these themes and actions and how they connect to the story. Excellent video as always.

[@AllTheLassWeCanBed]

I don’t have a single person in my life who I can talk about music theory with. Not even my friends who have MUSIC DEGREES. I love watching these and connecting some pieces and learning new things. I love your work.

[@benjaminsherriff233]

Powell's work on the film is, quite frankly, unrivalled.

[@XanyXatu]

All my life listening to this moment in the film I always related it to another scene in a different film that came out 4 years earlier. The Mammoth herd scene in the ending of Ice Age 2. While watching the video the idea of the similarities crossed my mind again so I looked the song up and loan behold, John Powell did the music for that film AS WELL!!! I NEVER KNEW THAT!!! I was blown away that something I picked up on over a decade ago as a 9 year old actually was due to the fact that the two films had the same composer who worked with the same sense of epicness and grandeur in those two scenes. Fantastic video as always Charles! Keep up the great work and content we love it!!!

[@normietwiceremoved]

John Powell is one of my all time favourite composers, he's done so many fantastic soundtracks that people live yet no one talks about him.

[@Pawkiiko]

13:40 OMG finally someone who's face lights up with GLEE just like me everytime i watch that scene and hear that theme

[@lewisrichardson1539]

I'm fascinated by this side of music composition but I'll never even dream of making a masterpiece as flawless as this. What I would give to get inside Mr. Powell's mind when he was writing this.