Originally released back in 2010, and loosely based off the book series by Cressida Cowell, How to Train Your Dragon was an unexpected animated masterpiece that spawned two equally good sequels in its wake. Now, it is remade for a new generation as a bigger IMAX spectacle that is more expensive, but nowhere near as impressive as the original.

The setup and story are almost beat for beat the same as in the original. On the island of Berk, vikings live in fear and anticipation of endless dragon attacks. To become a real member of the tribe is to kill one, and the not a day goes by that Stoick the Vast (Gerald Butler), leader of the Vikings, isn't hunting for the mythic nest where all dragons live.

Stoick's son, Hiccup (Mason Thames), isn't cut from the same cloth. He'd much rather invent things than kill dragons, even if he desperately wants to belong.

One day, Hiccup almost accidentally downs a Night Fury, a mythic dragon nobody has ever seen, let alone killed. As he goes to hunt it, he discovers that he's not a killer, and that dragons aren't the vicious monsters other have painted them as. The connection between boy and dragon proves so strong, it will change both of their worlds for good.

This is still a lovely and often very touching story about kindness and love for the natural world. It's also funny, exciting, and surprisingly sweet. But these are all elements the original animated film already exemplified. They're replicated word for word in live-action, and they work because there's nothing here that is new. You're basically watching the same movie twice, only this time with live performers.

The live-action feature is directed by Dean DeBlois, who directed the animated version as well. He knows his material by heart, and doesn't stray from the established path one bit. This is both good and bad, as some jokes that work in animation simply don't translate to live-action. Fast movement and sight gags require completely different timing between mediums. Conversely, what worked before works just as well today.

These moments, like the incredible first flight sequence, or Hiccup's and Astrid's delightful meet-cute in the clouds, are as moving and delightful as ever. Toothless is a heartwarming creation who will charm everyone for decades to come.

In theory, How to Train Your Dragon should be an instant classic in live-action form as it was in animation. But it isn't. It's a half-hour longer than the original, and I can't tell where that extra time has gone. The pacing feels off, and it's a dire sensation to realize you're just watching the same thing you've already seen.

If only the filmmakers had done something different with this adaptation. The original animated feature already took great liberties with the books. It would have been interesting to see them return closer to the source material with the new version.

Instead, How to Train Your Dragon is an iteration on the past. It's almost a software update of a movie; a bit more polished, a bit bigger in size, but nothing substantial in any way that counts.

It's fine, but the original was miraculous. Why settle for anything less?