Movie Review: Spirit Untamed

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

While nowhere near as good as the first Spirit movie, this film is still quite charming and fun.

What makes this movie work is that it is pure wish fulfillment for both kids and horse lovers. I know that have often dreamed about simply taking off a horse for a huge adventure into dangerous place, yet unknown to me. Taming a wild horse and having him love me like one of his own herd (something that will be amplified for kids with the grown-ups not being able to do the same), just increases the wish fulfillment as does proving everyone who doesn't believe in you wrong. While this wish fulfillment will definitely speak to kids, it will also speak to those of us who remember what it was like to be a kid and the fantasies we had. This film is also is helped by a very likable and relatable lead character. While this movie is less than an hour and a half and is not slow moving by any means, it still gives us the time and all we need to connect with this character and see ourselves in her boots. Also while I do miss the beautiful hand drawn animation of the first Spirit movie, the horse animation is pretty darn good here. It may be exaggerated for cartoon-like effect but there is no doubt the animators studied and learned how horses interact with humans and there are some nice little acting touches that horse lovers (like myself) will notice. It is also nice to see such an pretentious movie tell a simple story simple. In a time with so many "big" movies, it is nice and charming to see a small one sometimes.

This movie certainly does have its share of faults though. Though our main character is very easy for us to relate to, much of the supporting characters are rather bland and one note. This is especially true of the villains, who are not only boring but never even as threatening as they should be. While this movie is full of jokes most of them fall flat and the very few that work raise only a smile. This film also has a story that is very familiar at times and it is hard not see where it is going at any time. 

This is definitely rather minor compared to the best of DreamWorks' animated out put, but there is a sweet and simple charm that works despite the faults.