Noble “War Horse” can’t quite find the finish line

Arriving in theaters with plenty of Oscar hype “War Horse,” the latest from director Steven Spielberg proves to be a mixed bag.
This sprawling World War I epic played well to the audience at the screening I attended. And while I concede that it is a well made film with some strengths, it ultimately falls short of its prerelease buzz.
“War Horse” centers around a young English boy named Albert (newcomer Jeremy Irvine) who develops a bond with a chestnut thoroughbred named Joey. When his family falls on hard times, Albert’s father sells Joey to the cavalry.
The horse is then thrust into the middle of World War I which leads him to encounters with everyone from German soldiers to a young French girl.
“War Horse” is a beautiful looking film, with gorgeous cinematography and art direction. There are also some breathtaking moments, with Spielberg showing his ability to create a moving battle sequence. Spielberg also does a good job of shielding the violence, although there are times where it feels a little sugar-coated.
The biggest problem with the film is the overall lack of a human element. The horse is the star hear, way more interesting than any of the human characters. Albert and his family (which includes Emily Watson) get most of the screen time on the human side, but Irvine’s performance is grating and Watson is criminally underused. The rest of the cast doesn’t get enough time to develop.
I also wasn’t a fan of the final act, which is way too heavy-handed. It’s one thing to establish this horse as a brave specimen, but there is a point where I felt like all he needed was a red cape to complete his Superman persona.
To it’s credit “War Horse” doesn’t completely fall apart, although it comes really close. I do believe it’s a film that will likely appease the masses, but movie goers looking for a little more substance will likely be disappointed.
Grade: C+

Advertisement