Rating: 
Summary: What a ride!
Review: Seabiscuit does not disappoint. It is much more than just a story about horse racing. Seabiscuit explores a full range of human (and animal) conflicts, dreams, loss, hope and victory. The characters all experience trials and restoration. Some of the acting and set that is era-related seems staged and too made up, but the story and the main characters carry the day.I was moved emotionally by the triumph of the horse, the jockey, the trainer and the owner. This is definitely a feel-good movie, because it gives you every reason to feel good about the events in it, plus since it is based on a true story, it is totally realistic and believable--nothing in it is too good to be true--it is good and true. I think you will really enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Ya Gotta Believe...
Review: Like "Breaking Away" and "Hoosiers" this feel-good film is a great antidote to the blood-and-gore Hollywood keeps churning out. With no special effects gadgetry or flash, this film makes you laugh, cry and cheer all on its inspiring human drama. The cast works well together (Tobey Maguire is superb) and Randy Newman's score is wonderfully evocative. There are many minor flaws and some laughable historical revsionism about the Depression but who cares when you watch some of the most exciting race scenes since Ben-Hur. This is the only film I paid to see in the theater this year and one of the few I will own. Do yourself a favor and see it.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptionally well-made horse racing drama
Review: Part of the job of any movie is to manipulate the audience's emotions. This manipulation can be compared to a bell curve. Not enough of it causes the viewers not to relate to the characters and/or the story. Too much of it, and we feel used and abused. To me, "Seabiscuit" gets it about right. It's a gloriously old-fashioned movie about rooting for the underdogs. It's an ancient form of storytelling, but "Seabiscuit" tells its tale exceptionally well. Based on a true story, this is about three men and a horse. All of them were in need of a second chance in the midst of The Great Depression of the 1930s. The horse, Seabiscuit, was from a noble bloodline, but was small and seemingly lazy. His original owners sold him off for next to nothing. He was eventually bought by Charles Howard [Jeff Bridges], a man who made a fortune selling cars but who was devastated by the death of his son in an auto accident. Howard chose as Seabiscuit's trainer Tom Smith [Chris Cooper], a man who saw his beloved West fenced in by civilization. The jockey was Red Pollard [Tobey Macguire], who was abandoned by his parents when he was a teenager. These men and their horse went on to become folk heroes by winning race after race. Eventually, they challenged the biggest and best race horse of the day. The acting ensemble does a remarkable job despite the script's being one of the movie's weaker elements. It has too many platitudes and predictable responses. The cinematography by John Schwartman and his crew is brilliant and amazing, and since the subject is horse racing, it is appropriate that the visuals take precedent over the dialog. Also helping to make "Seabiscuit" a winner are the simple but moving score by Randy Newman, as well as the wonderful re-creation of the look of America in the 1930s.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and full of emotion.
Review: This movie is wonderful! It has such emotion and feeling in it as the characters (and horse) come together to create a phenomenal story. I was moved to emotional tears as the story developed and was cheering loudly through the house for Seabiscuit to win the races....I really didn't expect to be this taken in by the movie, what a wonderful surprise....
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best movies, ever!
Review: Best photography, best directing, best music, best casting, great old cars, what an absolute great movie. The only objectionable thing is one short nude shot that didn't have to be put into the movie. The language could also have been toned down without causing any damage to the movie. Overall, "A". Loved it. Can't wait to see it again.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved the story, hated direction
Review: First off, I was disappointed with this adaptation of Hillenbrand's well written bio. Maybe because I read the book first, enjoying the authors obvious love of horses and extensive reasearch she and her "helpers" did. I don't know, I found the direction and writing filled with too many Hollywood cliches. Ross' annoying direction, moving the camera in a haphazard way, giving the impression to me that alot of the scenes seemed like practice shots, testing how the camera should move. In some ways, his direction reminds me of William Shatner's direction on Star Trek V. The camera moves with no purpose, and it should. Also, I thought the music score was all wrong for the film. A score can help a story, but Newman's music appears to show the films flaws even more. Overall, I liked the story and the cast, though I felt Ross took a lot of liberties. Which,most of the time, does not bother me. I realize compressing a book to give it a linear feel on the silver screen sometimes calls for such alterations, but I felt they hindered the film -including Macy's turn as the radio announcer, a completely made up character. I was reminded through the whole film of Bob Ueker's role in the Major League films. This was a drama, filled with many hard realities -like the weight issue which seemed to glossed over also - and adding a character that would not have been out of place in A League of Their Own was a lame attempt at adding humor.
Rating:
Summary: Three men and a horse
Review: This movie is brilliantly cast with Tobey Maguire as a jockey who never gives up, Chris Cooper as the humble but gifted trainer, and Jeff Bridges as the kindly owner of the great horse Seabiscuit. The cinematography is beautiful and the story is heartwarming. The stock market crash and subsequent recovery is compared to the lives of the three men who surround Seabiscuit with their talents, after each has fallen on difficult times in his private life. This is a movie which should appeal to a wide audience and become a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable Film!
Review: This movie is proof that Hollywood IS capable of putting out a quality product. All the elements come together on this one-rare indeed. Gets my vote for Picture Of The Year.
Rating:
Summary: Small Horse - Big Heart
Review: Great story based on true events set in the 1930's Depression. Great cast: Featuring come-back actor of the year Jeff Bridges (as Charles Howard) a bicycle shop entrepreneur turned horse owner. Chris Cooper plays the role of the gracious and humble horse trainer. Tobey Maguire plays the over-sized jockey Red Pollard. William H. Macy adds a touch of humor as the race caller "Tick Tock". Just a wonderful movie with a modest PG-13 rating. I don't recall any foul language or bare skin - Walt Disney would pe proud to put his name on this film. Interesting story, wonderful scenery, crisp sound, good action racing scenes, superb acting... just a great movie. Extras are minimal on the single disc DVD; there is however a nice history on Seabiscuit. There is a separate 2 disc special edition version of Seabiscuit with many extras available. All the newspapers and magazines were right - this movie was excellent. I had to practically drag my family to see this one - and in the end we were all glad we did... even my children. This is my sentimental movie pick come Oscar time. One of my favorites from 2003.
Rating:
Summary: Reading & Seeing SEABISCUIT are totally indescrlcable!
Review: When my wife and I got into the DVD of what we had read, it was beyond our wildest dreams! As the young son of Charles wrecked his new Buick Roadster, our thots turned to our young grandson, who met his death at his battle with Chemo, Leukemia. As we spun into that story with beautiful, mystical horses, we wished for some magical way to have Sir Christopher,in the Spirit, watching with us! Only if you could see Christopher with Horses and his big black Newfoundland, Hershey, many times curled up in a blanket with his pet, losing his own head of hair, cracking jokes about "when I become old enuf to be a real-life Vetenarian" could you then be able to understand. But Christopher would rejoice in those super victoriea of the "little lead pony" who fought his battles to become Winner of the Match Race with War Admiral. When you behold the trio of inspired riders and owners acted by Toby Macguire, Chris Cooper and Jeff Bridges...you too will be brought to the edge of your recliner shouting and yelling like I did! There were races as in full-view, thrilling to compete with Saratoga Springs, being watched by violinists of Philadelphia Orchestra on a summer afternoon! They are always awesome! As we recovered, our thots agreed "if only Christopher can see these gorgeous, thorough-bred animals in action..."
Retired Chaplain Fred W. Hood
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