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War Horse - Movie Review
Grade: B-
The father of high budget and gaudy blockbusters has returned with a film that just screams Oscar bait. Predictably Spielberg, War Horse boasts an epic blockbuster with stunning cinematography, a sense of passion, and overall a heartfelt period piece. But although the film is perfectly coherent in its emphasis on sentimental value, it unfortunately, remains content with its soundness and unambitious nature.
Based on both Michael Morpugo’s novel and the 2007 stage adaptation of the same name, War Horse focuses on the “miracle horse” Joey, apart-Thoroughbred stallion that’s small size and superficial-based appearance deems him the archetypal “underdog.” When he is impulsively auctioned bought by farmer Ted Narracot, his son Albert (Jeremy Levine) - a dedicated adolescent who is seemingly the sole believer in Joey’s potential - trains the stallion who Albert ends up forming an almost brotherly bond towards. When the Great War encumbers all of England, the Narracot family’s financial position - much to the dismay of Albert - forces them to sell Joey, enrolling his friend in the unforgiving war. The film then focuses on Joey’s journey throughout the war, and Albert’s expedition to reunite with his horse. Overall, the film’s simple revelation is that a strength of a relationship coincides with an unbreakable bond; Resulting in a premise that is predictable and somewhat cliche, but it is approached in such a way that is truly relatable.
Overall, War Horse blatantly attempts to fulfill the aspects of feeling needed for an award winner. The emotional punctuation is high, as sentimentality is spread throughout the film; It does accomplish its pathos appeal, but it is approached in a manner where War Horse solely focuses on its heart. In other words, it tries to be too emotional. While technically the film is outstanding - Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography is breathtaking and the CGI is top notch - this is undoubtedly overshadowed by the film’s concentration on developing the bond between Joey and Albert. Ultimately, the film is greatly a crowd-pleaser with a heartwarming premise - the beauty of the relationship bet
ween the characters is undeniable. But unfortunately, it is content in just being a passionate period piece.
Steven Spielberg is a filmmaker that is known to make chances: Jaws started the trend of the Summer blockbuster, Jurassic Park broke the bonds of CGI. But the dismal aspect of War Horse is that it seems so unambitious. It is true that it possesses that premise that will undoubtedly appeal to the hearts of the audience as well as the critics, but the film fails to break any boundaries. With award-winners known to be unambitious “crowd-pleasers” (Chariots of Fire, Terms of Endearment, maybe even King’s Speech), War Horse will join these films of the moment: efforts that will be awarded for its heart, but ordinarily forgotten.
Set aside its directorial background, War Horse is undeniably the beautiful heartwarming story that it aims to be. With the film’s imagery and high budget battle scenes, its exterior is magnificent and overall a visual treat. It is most definitely a masterful crowd pleaser - a brilliant film of the moment. But considering that this is from the visionary Spielberg, it is disappointing that its lack of ambition makes War Horse ever so ordinary.
