"War Horse" Review

“War Horse”
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Lee Hall and Richard Curtis (based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo)
Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2011
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of war violence
Review by: Sean Kayden

Steven Spielberg returns to the frontlines with WAR HORSE, (based on a children’s book), is a film set in World One about a miraculous super horse that touches the hearts of many, especially one young lad. Albert Narracott, portrayed by newcomer Jeremy Irvine, is a teenage boy from a poor family. His broken down father purchases a vigorous horse he sees at an auction in hopes to save his house and farm. Albert names the horse Joey and attempts to train him to plow through the rugged terrain of the farm. On the cusp of England going to war, the man must sell his horse the cavalry when things for him and his family don’t go as accordingly thought. However, up until this time, Albert has grown especially fondly of Joey. He’s become super-connected with the animal and is absolutely heartbroken that his beloved horse will be shipped off to war. Throughout the film, this “war horse” goes through the hands of many individuals and makes a lasting, indelible impression on them. The story is pretty remarkable, if not far-fetched at times. Despite a heartwarming story, the film starts off considerably slow out of the gates and is pretty deliberately paced all the way up to the end. What could have been an amazing, epic, and exceptional movie turned out to be rather simplistic, ordinary, and sappy.

The cinematography for “War Horse” was passable, at best. It evoked a seemingly generic landscaped that appears overproduced and not at all authentic. The battle scenes were top notch, but the rest of the movie’s aesthetics looked artificial. On the other side of the coin, the score was marvelous. The arrangements were bold, beautiful, and lovely. They easily warm your heart as the sentiment it releases sinks into your soul. It’s one of the few true highlights of the film that will play with your emotions. I did become misty-eyed toward the end of the film, but never balling. What I was seeing was a façade of manipulation. I mean, how could you not tear up a bit after seeing an animal, that’s gone through hell and back, become reunited with the boy that loved him ever so dearly. Add in the grandiose soundtrack and facial expressions of characters displaying hope, excitement and relief, there’s no denying the outcome for the viewer at hand. Unfortunately, getting up this point is a tedious and sometimes implausible journey that isn’t as affecting as it could have been. Spielberg’s magic is present in bits and pieces, but even he settles for the easy way out that truly ends up disappointing rather than inspiring.

“War Horse” is far from being a complete dud. It does have some really fine scenes and proves that people from all different countries display a strong affinity toward animals. If only humans could treat other humans with the same kindness and benevolence is somewhat of an underlining theme. In the end, lofty expectations once again this year got the best of me. I was in fact hoping for a deep, inspirational and exceptionally poignant film. It rarely reached those grand heights, which results in a middling, second-rate effort from a first-rate director. At just shy of two and a half hours, I say skip the theater and wait for DVD.

Grade: 3 out of 5
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