Rating: 
Summary: Don't expect too much, but this movie is still worth seeing.
Review: A synopsis -- It is the year 1890. American cowboy Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) and his paint Mustang stallion Hidalgo are legendary long-distance racers. Rumor has it they've never lost a race. When Shiekh Riyadh (Omar Sharif) hears of the famous pair's reputation, he is insulted, sure that his purebred Arabian stallion Al-Hattan is a better horse. He invites Hopkins and Hidalgo to participate in a 3,000 mile race across the Arabian deserts, known as the Ocean of Fire. Reluctant at first, Hopkins ultimately decides to give it a go. He ends up getting a lot more than he bargained for, facing vicious sandstorms, extreme heat, would-be murderers, kidnappers, and various other foes in a race for his life.My thoughts -- I wanted this to be a great movie. I really did. I knew there was much speculation on whether or not Hopkins's memoirs had been at least partly fabricated, but I was hoping this would be a good story in itself, regardless. And it IS exciting. It's not a bad movie, but it just wasn't what I was hoping for. As an avid horseback rider myself, I saw far too many discrepancies and impossibilities. First and foremost, Hopkins should have pulled out as soon as he noticed the quarter crack in Hidalgo's front hoof. Running a horse with a quarter crack is entirely irresponsible, and could leave the horse very, very lame. And later, when Hidalgo suffers a large gash in his shoulder that would have injured muscle tissue, he shows absolutely no signs of lameness. By the end of the race, Hopkins has this horse with a quarter crack and a severe gash in his shoulder running flat out. AND the horse is bleeding from his nose! Not only would a horse with these injuries not be fully sound, but again, it would be completely irresponsible to risk futher injury by continuing to work such an injured horse that hard. Then, at the end of the movie, Hopkins releases Hidalgo back into the wild... WITH shoes on! A horse's hooves grow continually, just like human fingernails and toenails. Horses that wear shoes need to have the shoes removed periodically, their hooves trimmed, and then have new shoes put on, otherwise the hooves will overgrow and the horse will go lame, throw a shoe, or both. Mustangs, which travel great distances, wear their hooves down naturally. But a loose shod horse will eventually throw his shoes one by one. Throwing one shoe would leave the horse unbalanced, and lame. Worse than that, there is the possibility of losing a chunk of hoof along with the shoe, leaving the horse REALLY lame. And a lame mustang is a dead mustang. I can only hope no one takes horsemanship examples from this movie. And I was also disappointed to hear Hopkins claim he once had a three-legged horse that was his best roping horse. This JUST isn't possible. But I'll cease with my nit-picking and move on to other aspects of the movie. As I said, it is a fun and exciting movie. Only horse people would be likely to pick up on all the impossibilities in the plot. The storyline could have been a little tighter, but it's not too bad. There is plenty of action, lots of humor, and even a little romance. There is quite a bit of violence, but it isn't very bloody, so this would be a great family movie. The acting was fairly good, for the most part. I think Omar Sharif turned in the best performance. He really captures depth and dimension in his character. Viggo Mortensen also did quite well, making a nice follow-up to his performance in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The fact that he is a horseman in real life comes through in the film, and it's pleasing to see that he really can ride well. (As an interesting aside, Mortensen was so impressed with T.J., the paint horse that played Hidalgo, that he ended up buying him after the filming was complete.) The fast race scenes are truly impressive. Hidalgo himself is a gorgeous horse, and very charismatic as an animal actor. He has a very expressive face, and steals many a scene. So, while I want to emphasize the fact that this movie has many inaccuracies ("Seabiscuit" remains the better horse movie in this respect), and I hope people won't take it too seriously, I would still recommend it. I doubt most people will even notice the discrepancies. It's fast-paced, exciting, and fun. It should also be good for viewers both young and old, as it's low on blood and the romance is VERY tame - not even a kiss. My mother, who dislikes violent or gory movies, enjoyed "Hidalgo" very much. There are a few joking references to castration, but they're subtle enough that they should go right over the heads of younger viewers. "Hidalgo" is worth seeing in theaters - the action sequences are great on the big screen - and it would make a good family night at the movies.
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic
Review: Although this movie was not a big draw at the box office, and was not nominated for any Oscars or other film awards, it is truly a classic. I thoroughly enjoyed this "based on a true story" adventure about a "mixed" man and his "mixed" horse. This is a true underdog story, or should I say "underhorse", about that determination and grit that compels us to keep going, even in the face of death and exhaustion. From the wild west to Arabia, this movie takes you across oceans and over plains and through deserts.
I was very surprised to have enjoyed this movie, since I didn't really hear much about it, but it's on my "to buy" list, and will be watched by me many more times.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant entertainment but not enough bite for my taste
Review: Based on the true story of Frank Hopkins, an American cowboy who, in 1890, competed in and won a long-distance race across the Arabian desert on his horse named Hidalgo, this film reminds me of the old-fashioned westerns that can be enjoyed by the whole family. There's action and adventure, natural disasters, bad guys and good guys, and a happy ending. Problem is we know the ending before the film begins. And, in spite of all the impediments put in our hero's way, the tension is dissipated because we know the outcome. Viggo Mortensen is the cowboy. Omar Sharif is a wealthy sheik. Naturally he has a beautiful daughter and there's a hint of romance, which just doesn't happen. Our hero's morals are just too high for that. He even resists the attentions of a wealthy British woman who's out to have her own horse win the race. The best thing about the film is the cinematography. Shot in Morocco, the desert never looked so good. And with no less than 30 people hired to do stunts, there's no wonder there are some breathtaking escapes from both natural and man-made disasters. However, at 136 minutes I found this film much too long. Hidalgo can be thought of as pleasant entertainment. But it just didn't have enough bite for my tastes. I give it a mild recommendation though because I think the producers made a good effort.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining enough in a non-demanding way!
Review: Hidalgo is an entertaining piece of nonsense. Frank Hopkins, a half Indian long distance pony trekker who has wound up in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, enters a race in the Arabian Desert to win the prize money. This is so that he can buy buffalo for the Indian people, without which, they will starve. Told you it was nonsense, didn't I? However, the race across the desert is very entertaining in an Indiana Jones sort of way, and even if I didn't believe a word of it - although it is suppose to be based on a true event! - I still enjoyed the film. This is worth seeing if you have nothing else to do. Omar Sharif makes an appearance, if that is any enticement.
Rating:
Summary: Ride 'Em Cowboy.
Review: HIDALGO is the name of a horse, but it really isn't a movie about a horse. Hidalgo is the name of a Mustang stallion owned by Frank T. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen). Hopkins and Hidalgo have won every North American long distance horse race there is and join up with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Hidalgo is promoted as being the best long distance horse in the world. Then an Arab shows up challenging the claim and wanting Hopkins to put Hidalgo to the test by racing him in the Ocean of Fire, a famous long-distance horse race in the deserts of the Middle East. Hopkins agrees and it's off the the Middle East. What ensues is a fast-paced adventure filled with sandstorms, desert quick sand, thieves, murderers, a few fiesty cats, and an English temptress. HIDALGO is a really good action movie. Without any sex (though there are a couple of innuendos), hardly any foul language, and only swashbuckling violence, it's a movie that parents will enjoy bringing their children to see. The film starts off a little slow, but once it picks up there's no turning back. The acting in the film is well done and the stunts are fairly impressive (even more so for the scenes with Mortensen since he did most of his own stunts). There are a few anachronisms (some of the people refer to Iraq, but during the setting of the movie, Iraq wasn't even a country yet). Nevertheless, these things are fairly unnoticeable and take very little away from the film itself. Besides just being a great story, the movie also has a subtle message about not being afraid of who you are. Overall, HIDALGO is an entertaining film full of excitement. It's a great story and does a good job of balancing the drama with a little comedy. Oh yeah, since it is a horse movie, somebody dies, but I won't tell you who.
Rating:
Summary: Good But Not Great
Review: Hidalgo was an entertaining movie, but didn't quite make it to great. Clumsy dialogue, and some over done performances make the film a little hard to believe.
However, if you like an inspiring film about the underdog, and someone facing their personal issues and coming out on top, this may be for you.
Great cinematography, and a good performance by Viggo Mortensen make this film a worthwhile rental.
Rating:
Summary: Great Potential, but Flawed
Review: I am a great fan of Native American cultures, and was quite interested in seeing this adaptation of a "true story". It tells how Frank Hopkins takes his authentic Mustang horse out to the middle east to compete in a 3,000 mile race. Along the way, Frank himself learns to come to terms with his mixed heritage.
Viggo doesn't seem to have stretched far from Aragorn for this role. He plays a loner who enjoys the wilderness. True, his knack for languages is well displayed as he speaks Sioux. But other than that, he is like a postal rider - he simply plows ahead until he reaches his goal. He doesn't get much chance in this movie to grow, or mature, or even say much of anything.
I was thrilled by the support for the Native Americans in this movie and the discussion of how half breeds were often looked down upon. My own family has Native American blood in it and it always saddens me when older relatives of mine are uncomfortable with this thought. But the references were almost throw-away ones plunked in to support the plot. And on the other hand, the movie goes straight after the Arab culture and promotes a ton of untrue myths about them! So it almost undoes all the good it is trying to do. Promoting one culture should never come at the expense of another one. Yes, the overt message is that "prejudice is bad". But there's a saying - you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? To give the anti-prejudice message while promoting stereotypes is pretty ironic.
As much as they say this is a true story, apparently the only true part is that there was a man named Frank Hopkins. Research into just about any other aspect of his character or races he said he participated in have found his stories to be false. I wish they had just billed this as a fun adventure movie without claiming it was true, when few historians believe it to be true.
But let's just take this movie as a wild epic horseride, with no need for stirring drama or historic authenticity. I *love* epic movies, especially sweeping action films in interesting locations. So I really did enjoy the scenery of the movie, the scenes of sandstorms chasing down the horses, the great swordfights. I realize that a lot of these things are not logically realistic, but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief.
But even there, I personally enjoy epics that have more of a mental challenge to them. I love Lawrence of Arabia, the Indiana Jones stories, movies with plot and intrigue. I'm not sure if it was because this was made by Disney and was geared towards young kids and young teens, but there wasn't much bite to the story. I don't need violence or sex. But I like a good, rich storyline with purpose and meaning. I just didn't find much of it there, so all of the special effects, while stunning, didn't really grab me.
I just think, if they were going to do a story about a half-breed coming from a troubled past where US troops were harassing Native Americans - and going to a purebred race run by Arabs who were against the US - that there was a HUGE wealth of material from which to weave a stunning story. I feel a bit let down that they did not do that.
As a final note, the word Hidalgo is Spanish and means Nobleman. So the horse was a hidden gem, one that shone when given the opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: A horse is of course a horse.
Review: I couldnt help but think of Black Stallion on this one. Also everytime there was a screen shot of Hidalgo in moments of thought i couldnt help but think of Mister Ed showing his teeth. The movie itself was cute. Lots of sand and post 9-11 love. An American Cowboy enters Muslim land in a race and of course becomes the victor. How patriotic. I would love to see the Arabic version.
Rating:
Summary: Good Entertainment if not Historically Correct
Review: I enjoyed this movie. If you read all the newspapers seems like all the critics want to do, is criticize Disney for claiming it is based on a true story. Well if I remember correctly, if a movie is all true, it is probably a documentary. Hollywood always takes libertys with the truth in the sake of good entertainment. There is even one website devoted totally to trashing anything about Mr. Hopkins. Regardless I liked it!
Viggo Mortensen plays Frank T. Hopkins, mostly just a lover of horses, but happens to have gotten a nice mustang named Hidalgo, a horse known for his fortitude. After an incident at Wounded Knee, and a stint in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Mr Hopkins is propositioned by a few gentleman about competing in an endurance race of 3000 miles across the Middle Eastern deserts. His mates in the Wild West show chip in the entry fee, and off he goes. Encounters with many cultures and sandstorms , thirst, thievery, kidnapping, murder etc; follow. Viggo's performance is good, although much different than Lord of the Rings. Check out the performance by Omar Shariff, playing the Sheik of Sheiks. A good escapist movie in the realm of Indiana Jones et. all.
Rating:
Summary: Hidalgo- The Painted Horse
Review: I eyed this title on the shelf for quite some time before I actually took it home to watch, because I just couldn't quite make up my mind whether it was worthy of the effort, knowing how it got a rather tepid response at the box office. After watching it, I feel it really just needed a little fine-tuning to be a very good film. Viggo Mortenson is making quite a career out of portraying quiet, disaffected loner-types, and his Frank T Hopkins is no exception. I felt he did more straight-up silent acting in this film than I've seen done in a modern film in a long time. He has expressive eyes, and his rapport with the horse Hidalgo is quite obvious.
The scenery and cinematography are very beautiful, with lots of sweeping camera work to fill the screen. My main beef with this film, however, is that at several times the film drags. The action sequences are very well done, with tight choreography during the sword and hand duels. There were many instances, however, when all you saw were Hopkins either riding or leading his horse over endless sand dunes. I realize this was done to convey the endless feel of the desert, but that many exposition shots makes the film seem endless, not the race.
That said, I was surprised to find myself growing attached to the film, and really liking the horse, Hidalgo. I felt the main horse used had very expressive nuances, and interacted with Mortenson very well. The supporting cast was decent, and it was nice to see Omar Sharif on screen again. He has wonderful prescence on film.
All in all, this was a pretty good picture, not wonderful, but should do no one involved with it any harm. The transfer to DVD was very nice, with vivid colors and outstanding camera work. The sound was nice and clear, and overall the film has a good quality presentation.
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