War is Hard on Horses

One of my favourite movies is about a horse, Secretariat, so don't anybody get on my case for not liking horses or horse movies.

Steven Spielberg was behind this one, "War Horse", and it shows. From the opening scenes, which by the way, are stunningly beautiful, you know you are in for a money infused movie. Every scene tries to be a cinematic masterpiece, but not all succeed, in fact, by the end of the movie, when we have to endure a lingering reunion in the sunset, which was obviously shot on two separate days with two different sunsets, we are getting tired of a movie that is riding on the coat tails of eye candy instead of substance. There is a fine line between fantastic lighting in photography, and just plain poor light. This movie straddles that line many times.

The story itself is too contrived to be believable. We are rooting for the horse, and his young owner, and it is satisfying when they at last find each other, but their adventures are a little 'over the top'. But, it is fiction, so we will give them that.

I have a problem with animal movies that give animals too many human characteristics. I know they are intelligent and have personalities, but really, some of these horse antics are absurd. Like one horse telling another, with the nod of his head, to take the pulling harness, it's OK, it will save your life. Animal rights people thrive on this kind of stuff as it gives them fuel for their contention that animals should be on par with humans.

If you have seen his movie, tell me what you think.  

I give it 3 stars