War Horse (2011)

War Horse (2011)

6/10

Starring:
Jeremy Irvine
Emily Watson
Peter Mullan

Directed by Steven Spielberg

I have seen many cool movies and War Horse is one, but as for interest and fun while watching, that may be on the shaky side, as the movie kinda drags sometimes while you eagerly wait to see what’s next, this bad pacing made it very hard for me to get fully engaged in the plot.

My opinion of this movie is that Spielberg may not have put his all into it. Having to sit through 2 hrs 15 mins, you start to get bored halfway through, and then the interest picks up again towards the end.

Based on a children’s book of the same name, War Horse has something that catches my attention, which is the set.

The set was so well detailed, you’ll actually believe this is World War 1. The idea this movie script is based on, has to be given credit, as we get to travel on both sides of the battle, feeling joy, pain, loss and tragedy. The problem is the execution of this idea, which did not land well.

The story is simple. In Devon (England), a young boy named Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine) befriends a horse named Joey. During the war in 1914, Albert's father, Ted (Peter Mullan), sells the animal to the cavalry.

What follows are a series of fortunate and unfortunate events in which Joey sees the war from nearly every angle. He will gallop under the noble Captain Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston), haul artillery for the Germans, brighten the days of an orphaned French girl (Celine Buckens), and end up stranded between sides in No Man's Land. Joey reflects the times and people that he met during his travels.

The movie is what you make of it, but you have to be proud of the cinematography. It was a masterpiece if I’m allowed to say so. The camera angles and some of the shots were so well done, you have to dip your hat in appreciation. It was done by Academy Award winner for best cinematographer in Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan (also Spielberg films), Janusz Kamiński, who works with Spielberg on some of his greats including The Adventures of Tintin.

I also think the acting from the cast in this movie is one to be impressed with, each actor held their role high and delivered smashing performances.

War Horse was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture. It also got two Golden Globe Awards and five BAFTA nominations, winning none. War Horse won Film of the Year in 2011 from the American Film Institute.

War Horse is a drama true and true, with all the perfection of Spielberg to make sure that you enjoy the fun of your sit through.

It is worth seeing, if you get the time to.