Parents' Guide to Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon

Sweet and just adventurous enough for young viewers, this special takes its cue from the Rescue Riders series it's based on, with a simple-to-follow quest executed with dash and daring. The Rescue Riders are, as usual, focused on helping dragons in need, but Hunt for the Golden Dragon changes this setup a little by getting a treasure map into the Riders' hands when the movie starts. Viewers will love trying to solve the clues, which are appealingly semi-mystical but not too tough for kids who are good at puzzles and logical thinking. They'll also enjoy the obstacles the Riders must face along the way to the eventual happy ending, which have just a touch of menace -- such as bug-eyed flying creatures advancing en masse toward the Riders. But those challenges are lightened by humor, like when Burple belches up one of those creatures and says, "What? I like to try new things!"

In fact, Hunt for the Golden Dragon's slightly slapstick humor is imported intact from the original How to Train Your Dragon film, while that movie's edgier violence has been wisely left behind. In a scene in which Dak is trying to rescue the Riders' treasure map when it blows away, Dak and a grouchy sheep face off like a duel in a western movie. Their eyes meet as they square off, the sheep spits as a guitar twangs on the soundtrack, and then the duel is interrupted by a timely rescue from a dragon friend. Even Hunt's villains are too busy scheming and arguing with each other to provide much in the way of peril. With satisfying messages about loyalty, friendship, courage, and kindness, this special is a family-friendly treat that dragon lovers will deeply appreciate.