Rating: 
Summary: You don't throw away a whole life.....
Review: ...just cause it's banged-up some!The story of 3 broken, hardluck men and one near-ruined, hardluck horse who, together, become champions is such a "Hollywood" story that hardly anyone would dare expect to sell, let alone see produced, such a screenplay. But what if it were a true story? Well, then you have "Seabiscuit", both the book and the movie, with a thoroughly documented story that is so unlikely it is the stuff of romance and the genesis of "legend". This is a wonderful film. Taking this great story and telling it with love and care, filmaker Gary Ross & company, have created a very old-fashioned movie with state-of-the-art technique. The riding scenes are fabulous. The production values superb. The cast is ideal: Toby Maguire the bitter, beaten-up Red Pollard; Chris Cooper the taciturn and horsewise Tom Smith; and the always terrific Jeff Bridges as the shrewd, ever-selling, ever-promoting, but kind and decent owner, Charles Howard. I can't imagine the person that wouldn't love this story. Full of drama and tragic set-backs coupled with stirring and inspirational personal and public triumphs, this story of the neglected, the cast-off, and the disregarded coming back to prove themselves to a world begging for heroes is heart-lifting and, in its way, joyous. That this took place in The Great Depression, one of the worst times in American history, only adds to the drama and elation of the accomplishment. Some quibble with the use of documentary footage and stills and the authoritative documentarian voice-over by David McCullough. It was a choice that may not have been necessary, but it does ground the story in reality. Perhaps Ross thought modern audiences needed some factual reminders of the realities of 1930's Depression era America. At any rate, it didn't bother me. Seabiscuit thrilled and inspired an America in the despair and hopelessness of a Depression frightening and unprecedented. That this little, forgotten horse, trained and ridden by these forgotten men could rise to beat the best bred, finest horses in the country, was a metaphor for triumph over adversity then, and it is so now. Well worth your while.
Rating: 
Summary: Put the narrator out to pasture.
Review: I was prepared to give *Seabiscuit* a great deal of leeway, because it looked like an actual MOVIE, rather than just another sequel and/or a market tie-in. So dismal has been the fare served up in 2003 that I was even LOOKING FORWARD to this, mainly because I really dig all the actors here (Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire, Chris Cooper, William H. Macy). Hopes, however, commenced disintegrating when director Gary Ross started to bust out the Important Archival Footage, accompanied by the authoritative narration by -- you guessed it -- David McCullough. "Oh great," I muttered to myself, "We're being lectured at by PBS!" McCullough provides us morons with a remedial history lesson, together with helpful statistics: "In the early years of the Depression, 6 out 10 Americans were out of work" blah blah blah. I suppose the filmmakers resorted to this Oscar-baiting tactic to give the movie added Importance. It apparently never occurred to them that the social subtext behind the story is already evident and, indeed, inherent. Hmm . . . perhaps instead of trying to educate the Great Unwashed in the shopping mall multiplexes, Ross would've been better served by paying closer attention to the meandering narrative. It takes nearly an HOUR for us to actually meet the eponymous race-horse: most of the preceding material was entirely unnecessary. Then there's about an added half-hour following the film's true climax. After Seabiscuit outruns the gargantuan War Admiral (a true case of David defeating Goliath), interest in the proceedings can only wane. But Ross goes on. And on. Dear Lord, he's making an EPIC. *Seabiscuit* is somewhat redeemed by some outstanding performances from the actors, particularly by Macy's low-budget radio race announcer. (The movie could frankly use a lot more of this character, as a sort of antidote to the sepia-toned photography and the Voice of David McCullough From On High.) But the bottom line is, this movie does absolutely nothing that *Black Stallion* and even *National Velvet*, for Pete's sake, didn't do already, in terms of horse movies. It's the old story of the Underdog -- or in this case, Underhorse -- overcoming all obstacles and triumphing against all odds. Nothing wrong with that -- we need stories like these. But let's not try to puff this sort of thing up into an Epic Work of Art, Narrated by PBS . . . shall we?
Rating: 
Summary: The Biscuit is fantastic
Review: This is a masterful movie! It is a TON like the book! I mean it! Hollywood actually got 93% of the details! In the beginning we find Charles Howard dealing cars...then coping with his son's loss. Between Howard's scenes we find Red Pollard becoming a jockey and Tom Smith taming horses. In spellbinding action, they find Seabiscuit and come together, taking the sour, muddy-colored, ill-used horse and training him to run like the champions. All the ugly and horribly real aspects of horse racing, the Depression, and poverty of the 30's is put into sharp, believable detail. This movie makes you feel like you are there, pushing Seabiscuit to be great. Don't believe the person who gave the bad review. SEABISCUIT is a fantastic movie! They exposed the raw details and trials and errors of racing, instead of turning it into sentimental slop about how Seabiscuit suddenly became a champion, although the movie sometimes does dip into sentimentality. The only cons of this movie is that they sometimes switch scenes rather confusingly. I wouldn't reccomend this for people under 14 as there are several adult situations and langauge. P.S. I'm really 14, but the adult's form doesn't work!
Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Winner
Review: You will be transported to an earlier time. It is sad to say many in our day and time is clueless as to what it would be like to be willing to do ANY job just to survive. The Great Depression affects most people in that one day they were good upstanding people and the next day they are riding in rail cars, or giving their children away in hopes that they will have better prospects than they themselves. Seabiscuit is the story of four broken individuals, A business man with a hole in his heart, a horseman who has no way to ply his trade, and a young man who found himself as a pick up boxer (unsuccessful), a jockey who can quote Shakespeare to his fellow jockey, and a broken and abused throwaway horse that was but a moment away from a bullet in the head. The country had been ravaged by hard times and needed to have a down and outer to become an up and comer; they needed a reason to cheer. Seabiscuit gave them a reason. This movie is about these four individuals finding wholeness again. It is a movie that reminds us that to get back up again is honorable and even feasible provided you believe in yourself even if others do not. Seabiscuit is beautifully filmed and well acted. Jeff Bridges, Toby McGuire and Chris Cooper are perfect for their roles. Do yourself a favor and get to a theatre to see this wonderful film -- and be sure to buy the video and watch it on those days when you need a reason to cheer. -- K.K. Dunn, Kansas City
Rating:
Summary: The power of the little guy
Review: I don't usually go for this kind of movies. This power of the underdog thing generally doesn't appeal to me at all (and that is why my family watches 'Cool Runnings' every Thanksgiving without me). I went into this movie with reservations, but was absolutely blown away by the sheer power of this story. Set in the background of the Great Depression, this story of an underdog horse, an underdog jockey, even an underdog trainer, cannot help but inspire.
This remarkable tale tells the story of four individuals (one of which is a horse, of course), down on their luck and unhappy with their lives, who are brought together by fate and who, together, prove to themselves and the world that good breeding, perfect upbringing, and money are not all that build character. In the process, all of them are changed, and Seabiscuit, the horse that's too small, and Red, the jockey who's too big, change each other's lives and make each other champions.
This movie flawlessly weaves four plots together into one wonderful story. Seeing these peoples' lives come together is one of the most powerful aspects of this film. Also, it is a mixture of Hollywood film and documentary, the latter of which shows real-life pictures of real-life people and makes the feeling of the Great Depression vividly real. This is a great movie with a great moral, and it is both suitable and enjoyable for the whole family.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible Movie
Review: Though many may say this movie is good I must resent them because this movie was horrible. The plot didn't make sense and Toby McGuire didn't put on a beliving act and don't get me started on the horse...! The other people though we barely saw them made me laugh at their bad acting. I hope you people out there put this review in consideration, so you won't spend so much money on a movie that makes you want to want Pokemon! Yes, the movie was the bad. Don't bother with this movie unless you want a good sleep. This movie [stinks] on ice.
Thank You for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
Rating:
Summary: A Family Show!
Review: For those of you who are not even horse fans, I think you will find "Seabiscuit" an entertaining and fascinating movie. It is beautifully filmed, a fine cast and a true story! Certainly a movie than can be enjoyed by young and old.
Rating:
Summary: Very inspirational movie!
Review: Not only is Seabiscuit a touching and true story, it is an inspiration. If you don't come out of the movie feeling that you can do anything you've set your mind to, pinch yourself to see if you're still alive!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful....
Review: I loved this movie! The book was wonderful and the movie didn't disappoint me at all. Somehow the essence of the book was captured, and being a teacher, I really appreciated the references to the Depression and the idea that no one is to be dismissed because you never know what they can be if given the water and sunshine they need. Also, since I live very near NYC, the idea that together we can heal what individually may be difficult is also something important to learn. The director/writer captured the story and the actors brought it to life. Corny, cliche, call it what you will. I've lived too long to not recognize that those are sometimes the best things of all. And the best critics of all, my nephews aged 9 and 12, loved it!
Rating:
Summary: (4 1/2) An Excellent Film - True to the Essence of the Book
Review: A film's producer and director and a book's author have very different tools at their disposal based on the strengths and weaknesses of their respective media. At times a picture is really worth a thousand words and on occasion the visual power inherent in the ability of a masterful photographer or filmmaker cannot even be duplicated on the printed page. In other circumstances, an author clearly has the advantage of being to use the written word to engage and hold a reader's attention and then allow the reader subsequently to linger as long as he/she desires over the power of the insight conveyed or the simple beauty or great emotion captured on the printed page. Thus, while Laura Hillenbrand's thoroughly researched and well written book provided the stage which made the success of this movie possible, THIS IS NOT THE BOOK AND THE MOVIE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS IF ALL IT TRIED TO DO WAS BE A DOCUMENTARY BASED ON THE BOOK. So, ignore the criticisms of those individuals who complain that it doesn't accurately reflect some aspect of the story. If you don't like William H. Macy's character and the humor which it imparts, then criticize what is wrong about it but don't just lamely say the screenwriters made it up and it wasn't true to life. (By the way, I loved it and thought it was artfully used to further the story as well as impart an element of humor to a very long film.) And remember, because this film is so entertaining, inspiring and exciting, a lot more people will know the history of Seabiscuit and the era in which he raced than would ever have read the book. This is an interesting film. The producers and director utilized Laura Hillenbrand as a consultant on the project, and she approved of the final result. In addition, the well known jockey Chris McCarron was a technical consultant on the horse racing elements of the film (I believe he appeared as an actor as well), and the jockey Gary Stevens did a superb job cast in the role of Red Pollard's rival and friend George Woolf. And the realism comes through; the racing scenes are wonderful in conveying both the power and the athletic ability of the magnificent animals who participate in the sport. The story is told in a leisurely way, interspersed with moments of great drama effectively juxtaposed with the fast paced racing scenes that dominate the latter part of the film. The story is well known, but the movie provides the historical perspective that makes it so interesting. However, this element of the film means that the audience has to remain alert to nuances of the early character development that eventually allows all the pieces to fit together. Fortunately, the performances are uniformly excellent. Jeff Bridges as Charles Howard appears to internalize the tragedy that impacted his life and yet manages to help us understand how he could keep his optimism intact and realize how Seabiscuit's success could inspire others during the difficult times of the Depression. His relationship with Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire), his jockey, and their interdependence is adequately explored, although Pollard's complex personal history is less developed in the movie than in the book. Elizabeth Banks plays her role as Marcela Howard (Charles' second wife) with exquisite charm but the role is relatively minor. Last, Chris Cooper is sensational as Tom Smith, the trainer and excellent judge of a horse's character and resolve, even if the film's effectiveness demands that he is somewhat less taciturn than in the book. And of course, in the end the horse is the star of the film and as the final lines make clear a relatively unique individual whose existence has made us all the richer and who has provided this stage on which all the other actors can play their parts and mouth their lines. My only criticism is the film's length (well over two hours) and the slow pace at the beginning. But, I decided that this was too minor not to round up my rating to five stars. This is definitely a film that I know I will enjoy viewing multiple times, although when it is released on DVD I may skip right to the second half on occasion. I believe that this is likely to have a long life in the theaters, rather than suffer the decline of most highly promoted blockbusters. But don't wait to see it, there aren't many better films around if you like stories with action, passion, human interest and inspiration, and this has the advantage that it's true.
Tucker Andersen
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