I read a lot of reviews of War Horse before watching it. Because of this I was very excited to see this film. I have particular expectations going into a Spielberg film. I had just watched TinTin last week and really think it was one of the better features of last year. I put in War Horse with similar expectations. I was wrong. I hate being wrong. I would have been forced to watch a Twilight marathon than sit through War Horse.
This was Avatar bad.
This was Avatar bad.
Spielberg’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 children’s novel harkens back to the Golden Age of cinema, an oft-overlooked era of sweeping silver screen epics and magnificently shot, grandiose classics.
It was as if someone wrote a list of every possible tear-jerking story cliché and checked off as many as they could fit within time and budget constraints. Horses? Check! War? Check! Plucky youngsters? Check and check! Plucky youngsters fighting to save the farm! I could go on. Really, I could. But all that’s necessary to say is that almost everything you expect to happen does. ??
The cast is full of fantastic actors whose talent is disappointingly wasted in this film. I can’t blame them, considering the schmaltzy script they had to work with – “It’s a miracle horse!” – somebody actually says that. Actually, I think every character says that. David Thewlis sneers as required. Peter Mullan stares remorsefully with perfection. Benedict Cumberbatch’s mustache should win its own Oscar. Actually, I found myself caring more about the father’s pennant than the horse.
Every once in a while there is a scene in this film that makes it worth it. The war sequences are good (like a kiddie version of Saving Private Ryan). The acting and pacing really hold up the entire feature here.
This film looks and sounds wonderful especially on Blu-ray. I would purchase this film just to show people how much my TV is better than theirs.
There are also plenty of special features –
- There are a couple round table discussions with Spielberg that leave a bit to be desired.
- A featurette about the extras – meh.
- There is a long behind the scenes feature that was pretty good and worth the time.
- Also included a feature about scoring War Horse,
- and one about the sound design (actually this is pretty impressive).
I just feel the film doesn’t challenge itself and it leaves me with an indifferent afterthought. WAR HORSE has moments, the themes are good, but pacing and acting killed this movie, making it my least favorite Spielberg films.
War Horse
is available for purchase at retailers everywhere….please note that this film is not appropriate for young children.
is available for purchase at retailers everywhere….please note that this film is not appropriate for young children.Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 2 Benedict Cumberbatch mustaches out of 5
Review by Bro’ B – Ben
We received product for our review. All opinions are our own
linda9861 says
April 9, 2012 at 2:47 pmI must say that I completely agree. I went in to it having heard some good reviews and the movie had won awards. I was honestly bored with it. The gratuitous landscape scenes were just too long, the story dragged and left me feeling as though I had pretty much wasted my time.
theflyingacc says
April 9, 2012 at 3:51 pmTHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEW!!! I am a horse lover so I was going to save the rental fee and apply to purchase>>> no longer>> I will rent it, because it is about a horse!
Thank you again…