How Did Critics Respond To How To Train Your Dragon 2 Astrid'S Role?

Watching 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' felt like watching Astrid level up in real time alongside Hiccup. In the first movie she was fierce, stubborn, and the foil to Hiccup's awkwardness; in the second film she keeps all that fire but grows into someone who trusts Hiccup's weird plans and also makes her own strategic calls. I noticed it most in scenes where she's not just fighting at his side but coordinating with him—riding Stormfly with purpose, calling shots, and trusting Toothless and Hiccup when danger looks inevitable. What really got me was how their emotional dynamic deepened. She becomes less of the voice that pushes him toward bravery and more of an equal who shares the weight of decisions. There are quieter moments where she shows real vulnerability—worry about the things Hiccup carries, pride when he stands his ground, and the gentle way they argue like partners rather than competitors. That shift made their relationship feel mutual; it’s not about rescue or winning someone over, it’s about building something together. Beyond romance, Astrid gains a stronger sense of agency. She’s still ruthless in battle but also wise about people and politics; you can tell she’s someone who could lead her own faction if needed. For me, that makes the whole franchise richer: their connection grows without losing their individual strengths, and that balance is what stuck with me long after the credits rolled.

I still get a little thrill hearing Astrid's voice in 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'—it's America Ferrera. She brought that exact mix of toughness and warmth to Astrid, the kind of performance that makes you believe she could lead a raid and then quietly fix Hiccup's stubbornness with a glance. Ferrera's probably best known to a lot of people from 'Ugly Betty', but she kept returning to the franchise to voice Astrid across the films, including 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' and later installments. Her delivery is why Astrid never feels like just a sidekick: there's personality, conviction, and a clear emotional arc. If you're rewatching the movie, pay attention to the small tonal shifts in her lines during the rescue scenes and the quieter moments—those are where her acting really shines. It makes the relationship dynamics with Jay Baruchel's Hiccup and Cate Blanchett's Valka feel grounded, which I always appreciate when a sequel raises the emotional stakes.

There are a few standout combat moments in 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' where Astrid really gets to show off — not just as Hiccup’s sparring partner, but as a frontline warrior. Early on she’s in the dragon-racing scenes, which aren’t full-on fights but are high-speed, competitive aerial duels that show how precise and aggressive she can be on Stormfly. Those sequences give you a sense of her reflexes and how she reads other riders in the air, which matters later when things get violent. Later, Astrid is part of the defenses when Hiccup and the group reunite with his long-lost mom, Valka, and her dragon sanctuary gets discovered. She’s involved in skirmishes defending the dragons — working alongside the other riders to fend off attackers and rescue trapped dragons. The big, cinematic set piece where Drago’s forces and the Bewilderbeast invade the skies is where she’s most visible in combat: she fights in the large aerial melee and takes part in the assault on Drago’s operation during the glacier showdown. That final confrontation is chaotic, with dragon-on-dragon fighting and human riders clashing with mercenaries; Astrid’s tactics and courage are clear there. If you liked those moments, you’ll also catch more of her fighting and tactical leadership in the TV spinoff 'Dragons: Race to the Edge' and later in 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'. Those expand on the kinds of fights she takes part in — both small rescues and large-scale battles — and help explain why she’s so indispensable to the Riders.

One scene in 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' that always sticks with me is the moment Astrid steps up in the dragon rescue — she doesn't just fight, she organizes. Watching her coordinate the other riders, send Stormfly into precise maneuvers, and make split-second calls made me realize her growth: she transitions from competitive sidekick to a leader people follow because she earns that trust through competence. Visually and narratively, the movie supports that shift. Her armor and posture are more deliberate, her dialogue sharper, and she takes initiative without stealing the spotlight from Hiccup. The raid on the training grounds and later the infiltration of Drago's stronghold show different sides of leadership — tactical planning, reading people and dragons, and keeping morale up when things go sideways. I especially love how she balances assertiveness with empathy; she can be blunt and fierce, but she also listens to Hiccup and accepts his ideas, which is rare in fantasy tropes. For me, Astrid's arc in this film feels like a masterclass in leading by example. She leads from the front, she protects the team, and she knows when to step back and trust others. It’s the kind of leadership that works in real life too — competence plus care — and it’s part of why I keep rewatching 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' with friends and pointing out little moments where she quietly holds everything together.

I got chills the first time Astrid absolutely refuses to let things slide in 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' — not because she’s being stubborn, but because she’s driven. Watching her, I feel like she’s operating from three braided motivations all at once: loyalty, duty, and a fierce personal code. She’s loyal to Hiccup as a friend and partner, yes, but that loyalty isn’t just romantic fluff; it’s rooted in respect for his ideas and his vision for Berk. She sees him balancing risk and compassion, and she wants to make sure that vision survives, so she pushes, protects, and sometimes challenges him. On the duty side, Astrid grew up training to be a fighter and protector of her people. That upbringing shows whenever dragons or villagers are threatened — she moves first and asks questions later. There’s also a streak of proving-yourself energy: she wants to show the older generation that being a warrior can mean defending peace, not just conquering enemies. Lastly, love and fear mix in a human way — she’s afraid of losing those she cares about, especially Toothless and Hiccup, and that fear sharpens into action. I always picture the scene where she leaps into battle; it’s less about glory and more about keeping a fragile future intact. Watching it on a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea, I kept thinking about how real people translate the urge to protect into everyday stubbornness — Astrid is just that, on a mythic scale.

I got curious about this too when I rewatched 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' with the Blu-ray extras sprawled out on my coffee table. Yes — there are deleted scenes connected to the film, and a few of them feature Astrid. They’re not full-blown alternate storylines where she suddenly becomes the focus; instead, they’re short, sharp moments and alternate takes that give you extra glimpses of her personality, a little more banter with Hiccup, and some trimmed-down flight/training beats that the filmmakers ultimately cut for pacing. Watching those little slices felt like finding a postcard from the production process: animated roughs, storyboard animatics, and short completed scenes that show Astrid reacting differently or getting an extra line here and there. If you want to see them, check the Blu-ray/DVD special features and the digital release bonus extras — DreamWorks often includes a “Deleted Scenes” package and behind-the-scenes featurettes. I’ve also seen some clips pop up on DreamWorks’ YouTube channel and fan uploads, though quality varies. If you’re into character development, those extras are gold because they reveal choices the director made to tighten the story. I love watching them with the commentary on; hearing why a moment was cut makes me appreciate both Astrid’s original beats and the final film even more. It’s small comfort when you want just a bit more Astrid, but it scratches that itch nicely.

I still get a little giddy hunting down movie-accurate merch, and for 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' there are a few toy types that consistently show Astrid with Stormfly in ways that look like the film. If you want a screen-accurate duo, search for the official two-packs and playsets marketed under the movie’s name — those usually include a detailed Astrid figure (helmet, axe, braided hair) and a Stormfly sculpt with the right colors and patterns. Look for packaging that says 'DreamWorks' or includes the movie title; that’s a strong sign of a licensed, movie-style item. Action-figure lines tend to have more articulation for posing, while collectible figurines focus on sculpt detail and paint. For softer, cuddlier versions I’ve bought, plush Stormflys are everywhere and some retailers bundle a small Astrid plush or vinyl figure. If you want something for display, there are also higher-end statues and limited-run figures where Stormfly’s feathers and Astrid’s outfit are sculpted with film-level accuracy — those are pricier but gorgeous on a shelf. My best finds have been mix-and-match: a reliably detailed Astrid figure combined with a separate Stormfly plush or dragon toy from the same era, which looks cohesive in photos. Where to look: Amazon and major retailers first, then eBay and Mercari for out-of-print movie toys. Check seller photos carefully, ask about logos on the box, and watch for knockoffs with odd colors or missing DreamWorks tags. If you’re collecting, keep an eye on online collector groups and occasional convention vendors — I snagged a near-mint Astrid + Stormfly set at a local con and it still makes me smile on display.

My first thought when Astrid shows up in new armor in 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' was that it finally felt like the filmmakers let her grow into the warrior she’d been all along. Watching the sequel years after the original, there's a clear time jump and everyone’s lives have changed — Hiccup with his prosthetic, Toothless with more responsibility, and Astrid stepping up from fierce sidekick to a leader in her own right. From a storytelling angle, the armor signals maturity and practicality. She’s not just wearing something flashy; the design reflects real needs in battle — better protection for dragon-riding fights, reinforced shoulders and bracers for close combat, and a silhouette that reads as both feminine and formidable. On a meta level, the design team wanted to evolve the characters visually so the audience could immediately perceive how much time and experience has passed. I also think there’s a bit of visual matching to Hiccup’s new look, showing partnership without making her simply an accessory. As a longtime fan, I loved that balance: Astrid’s armor respects Viking aesthetics while giving her agency and screen presence. It made rewatching the dragon battles feel more earned and honestly, it inspired me to sketch a few cosplay ideas that night.