War Horse

Well there's no doubt in who directed this film. War Horse was a very "Spielberg'd" film. I thought that he did quite a good job with it, and it fitted in with my theory that children's books are very accurately adapted into films. I thought the performance of the primary actor (although the word primary is debatable given that the film is based around a horse.) was engaging and believable. I get very engrossed in films as it is, and I really felt for the character- particularly in his struggle to convince his father and the villagers that Joey is a good farmhorse and not just a pretty face.

I thought the story was endearing, heartwarming and sweet. The different elements of the story- the home life, the struggle Joey goes through, the battle scenes and the conclusion- were all handled very well in their own right and seemed to flow together smoothly and well done. A particular part of the story I enjoyed a great deal was when Joey and a companion he had gained in the war were living with a little french girl, Emilie, and her grandfather. I liked this part because it was beautiful and showed the love owners often have for their pets. I also thought the girl was a very good actress- she got into my heart and I felt her pain a great deal when she lost the horse.

Talking of feeling character's pain- I said this film was very "Spielberg'd"- by that I mean he is using the techniques he always uses and pulling at the audience's heartstrings a great deal. He did it with E.T too- and it worked just as well then. I sobbed wholeheartedly at both E.T and War Horse.

I'm struggling to review this film really, because I do not have any massively strong opinions on it. I can't find any problems with it, and I thought it was cute and endearing and nice. But it didn't really blow me off my feet- I wouldn't buy the DVD.