I finally saw the 2011 movie War Horse over the weekend. Directed by Steven Speilberg, War Movie was nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award that year. It didn't win, but now i know why
It's a beautiful film about a horse named Joey, who grows up on an English countryside farm but is soon sold into duty in World War I. The boy who trains Joey, then loses him, tries to find him again through-out most of the latter part of the film.
The war scenes are brutal and hard to watch, much like the opening scenes of another Spielberg movie, "Saving Private Ryan."You need to live through these terrible, heart-wrenching moments to fully appreciate the ultimate, satisfying ending.
The acting is suburb, even though none of the actors were even nominated for an Oscar. the photography is like a painting, especially of the English terrain. The final glimpses of the movie, with a blazing orange sunset, is a wonder and reminiscent of a John Ford western.
Music is by John Williams. The score doesn't stand out like Jaws or Close Encounters of a Third Kind, but it does supplement the overall mood of the movie, both sentimental and tragic.
The brutal war scenes might be tough for kids to watch, but I think War Horse would be a great film for kids to check out, not only for the story and emotional impact, but as a history lesson too.
War Horse isn't science fiction. It's not an action-packed, popcorn summer blockbuster. It's a thoughtful and emotional nice story.
Speaking of movies about horses, I'm looking forward to a new film coming out on April 6 called "Lean on Pete", which has already gotten great reviews.
I give War Horse *** 1/2 stars out of four. It never got the accolades like most great Spielberg flicks, but even seven years later, it stands as one of his best.
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