Animated films often have grand themes, especially about family. “The Incredibles” explored honesty and trust while “Finding Nemo” focused on co-dependency between a parent and child. In the film “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” writer/director Dean DeBlois explores issues of separation and divorce.

The film tells the story of a young boy Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) five years after the first film. He and his dragon/friend Toothless stumble across a secret ice cave where his mother Valka (voiced by Cate Blanchett) has been secretly caring for dragons. Valka was supposedly killed by dragons when Hiccup was a child, but she has been in hiding without ever once considering to return to see Hiccup or her husband, King Stoick. Why has see decided to stay in hiding being the Jane Goodall to these dragons? What is more important-protecting dragons from captivity or being a mother to her only child?

Children of single parents often develop many long-lasting problems. Anger, aggressive behavior, sadness, low self-esteem, and impaired academic performance. Because Hiccup has had no contact with his mother, he continues to seek the approval of his one parent who also happens to be the king. Without his mother, Hiccup developed into a teenager who continues to tackle self-esteem issues and the growing disappointment of his father who always longs for his son to develop the strength and exuberance that he exhibits as a king.

Because this is still an animated film, the reunion between Hiccup and his mother (as well as that between Valka and Stoick) is incredibly rushed and entirely unrealistic. Most parents who are separated are often short-tempered and occasionally show extreme anger. Of course, the film presents unrealistic circumstances, but the effects of Valka’s absence are clear-Hiccup needs to become some form of a king. By the end of the film, Hiccup eventually surrenders to his father’s teachings by proclaiming, “a Chief protects his own!” It’s his final moment of surrender and proof that his true loyalty lies with his father, the only parent that has been with him the longest.