Rating: Summary: The Best Horse Movie Ever Review: This movie was the best! I'm young, but I know what I'm talking about. I know all of you think it isn't good because there are hardly any words, but it's just as if you were watching the horse in real life. That's what's so bad about the other horse movies I've seen. They all have talking. I love horses and I'm finally glad that someone made a horse movie like this. The music is awesome, even though I don't like Bryan Adams's version of "Here I Am". The graphics are terrific. Also, Paints were in the wild west (paint coloring on Mustangs), so Rain, being a paint and all, is acceptable in this movie. I just totally loved it and can't wait to get it on DVD or video.
Rating: Summary: Excellent movie for children and adults Review: I feel Spirit is an excellent movie and that dreamworks outdid themselves with this one!! I was nervous about taking my 2 year old daughter to see Spirit, cause she doesn't like to sit for long periods at a time. My mother actually talked me into taking her to see this and she LOVED it!! She sat through the whole movie without complaining or trying to get up. She and I were both enthralled watching the wonderful animation and colors, watching Spirit fight for his freedom and his herds safety....and we both laughed when Spirit was at the Fort and they were trying to "induct" and "ride" him. I cried twice throughout the movie and there was never a dull moment. All in all my daughter and I have seen Spirit four times and we never tire of seeing it. The soundtrack is also just as amazing as the movie and my daughter recognizes what it is when Bryan Adams just starts singing his "Here I am"! We are Spirit crazy here at home, and will definetly buy Spirit when it comes out...I have a feeling Spirit will replace Scooby Doo in my daughters heart!
Rating: Summary: Disappointing Follow-up Review: After such great Animated DreamWorks films such as Antz, Shrek, The Prince of Egypt, and Eldorodo, DreamWorks Pictures brings out Spirit. A tale about a horse who lived during the old west and is narrated by Matt Damon. What I really don't like about this film is that the main character in this film, the horse, does not talk as in most cartoons about animals. So yes, this movie is more true to life by having the horses not talk, but then why is it that this story is told by a narrator who is supposed to be the horse Spirit. If not for the soundtrack, this movie would have been a total bomb. Brian Adams does a great job of telling the story through the lyrics in his songs. Where most movies just have music that may or may not have anything to do with what is going on in the film, you can actually listen to the music and not watch the movie and know what is going on. Save your money and wait for this one to come out on VIDEO.
Rating: Summary: Horse-tory lesson! Review: A lot of reviewers made a big deal of the fact that the horses in this animated film do not actually talk. In all honesty, that's scarcely a blow for realism in full-length cartoons, since the they're still pretty anthropomorphized. They give each other all-too-human looks of affection, sorrow or jubilation. And of course, Matt Damon's voice over lets the viewer know just what the stallion is really thinking. So in that sense, they may as well be talking horse sense to each other.Still this is an impressive work of animation. Children should love it and parents will likely not be bored. The blend of computer generated and hand-drawn techniques seems to be pointing the way to the future of the art of animation--and it looks pretty darn good. Of course, the story is something of a PC-fantasy. Neither the wild horses nor the American Indians fared quite so well historically as they do in the film. In fairness, however, the movie doesn't actually indicate that Spirit's victory is any more than a temporary one, and it would almost be mean-spirited and too much to ask of a young audience to have the film end on a more somber note. Moreover the movie probably provides good historical discussion points for parents of somewhat older children. Recommended for all but the very youngest viewers (i.e. if they're too young for "Bambi," they're definitely too young for this). Otherwise wild horses shouldn't keep you away!
Rating: Summary: If only I could rate this 0 stars Review: As a teenager with a younger sister, I tend to see most of the kids movies out in theaters. However, this is the first time I have ever fallen asleep in a movie (and believe me, I've seen Jimmy Neutron). The only time I woke up was when my sister got bored and crawled in my lap to rest. Waste of money! For a good story with humor and a great message go see Lilo and Stitch!
Rating: Summary: There is no doubt... Spirit is the best of 2002! Review: I saw Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron on May 24, 2002, opening day. And I have never seen a movie like this. First, let me say that I have waited for this movie for about six months, ever since I saw its short trailer that was shown with the Shrek video and DVD. Since then I have eagerly anticipated its arrival, and today finally was able to revel in the movie's gorgeous characters, stunning animation, superb plot, and hilarious antics. I could begin by telling you some of the plot, but I believe that is unnecessary. Plenty of commentors have already done that, and the trailer for the movie shows enough as it is. If one goes to the Spirit fansite, one can learn nearly everything about the movie. I went into the theaters already knowing the first half hour of the movie, thanks to my lousy habit of browsing through the different sites dedicated to this movie. Although I already knew most of the movie, I was still speechless. The cell animation and hand-drawn art is utterly seamless, just like the creators have claimed. To put it plainly, Spirit's animation is perfect. Only one flaw have I found, but even this flaw is nothing compared to the true essence of Spirit. The true essence, or essences, of Spirit, is/are the beautiful, extremely realistic horse characters and its music. The horses act like real horses. Of course, we all know by now that they don't speak English (or French or German or Italian), but they really do speak. They are intelligent in the movie, with the squeals and neighs comprising their language. They speak, move, look, and FEEL like real horses. The animators and screenwriters have put so much effort into creating these magnificent characters. At first, when I heard the songs by Bryan Adams on the soundtrack, I didn't really like them. But now that I've seen their places in the movie, I cannot get the songs out of my mind. They are perfect for the movie. And if I went on about Hans Zimmer's music, this comment would be the length of a few miles. Zimmer has composed such an eloquent, vivid score that tells its own story. Without his music, the movie would feel empty. It is the score that helps bring it alive. Matt Damon is a great guy for the narrator. He knows just the right tone that will put one into the "mood" of the movie. Its almost as if he really is Spirit, as if he was more than just a narrator. It's obvious now, isn't it? Spirit is the best of 2002. No other movie will match its friendliness, its vivid characters, its loveable tale, and its legendary score and plot line. If you want a movie filled with nothing but endless entertainment and a great feeling that just lingers for hours, Spirit is for you. So is the soundtrack.
Rating: Summary: Spirit Review: I think spirit is a great movie. Because it showed that everybody has condfindece
Rating: Summary: When Horses Roam The Untamed West Review: The animation of the movie is beautiful...and in many parts, I cried my eyes out! This is one of the few sad movies I've watched. The lyrics to the music make the movie even more beautiful...big round of appluase for Bryan Adams! The musical score was wonderous, too! If you love horses, as I do, this is definatly a good movie for you. I fought back tears in many parts so not to be embarrassed in front of my friend and her stepsister.
Rating: Summary: Thumbs Up From A Choosy Mom Review: As the mother of a three-year-old and five-year-old son, I am very choosy about the films I take my children to see. I am very glad to say that Spirit turned out to be a better movie than I could have hoped for. It is interesting enough for adults, yet held my children's attention. There was some mild violence, but none of the language, violence, or sex prevalent in most of the fare aimed at children today. My younger son did not get scared during the movie (he doesn't like dark scary shows too much), though he did complain about the volume at one point. Its relatively short run time (83 minutes) meant that my youngest son did not ask to leave the theater before the movie was over. DreamWorks has definitely made a big step forward in the family entertainment field with Spirit. This is nothing like the horrible "Antz" or rather morbid "Chicken Run." And has none of the bawdy humor of "Shrek." Finally, a film from DreamWorks that I can take my three year old to! As for the Western theme of the movie, I think that it was very well done. It does show a more modern perspective (animal rights, Native Americans, etc) on that period of American history than the old fashioned spaghetti Westerns. Still, the good guys and bad guys are just as clearly delineated as in the Westerns of yore. Even then, there is some indication of positive characteristics (e.g., honor) even in the "bad guys" towards the end. All in all, you don't find this kind of quality in many movies these days. It moves along extremely well and is an excellent movie for the whole family. This movie definitely gives Disney some real competition.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful, beautiful, but turn down the music! Review: Spirit is a wild stallion who happens upon the wrong places, at the wrong times. He is first captured by U.S. Calvary and barely escapes with his life, thanks to the help of a Native American named Little Creek. Spirit soon falls for Little Creek's horse, Rain. Bu Little Creek wants to ride Spirit as much as the Colonel did. He soon finds though, that he and Spirit are kindred ...um... spirits, if you will, and no one should ever ride the magnificent, wild Stallion. While constantly being pursued by the U.S. forces, Spirit and Little Creek have adventures across the wilderness, until the crisis is finally resolved on the Colonel's terms. Spirit is a wonderful family film from the folks at Dreamworks. Much better than shlock like Shrek. Don't get me wrong, Shrek was funny, but it also was little more than Katzenberg poking fun at Disney for the length of an entire film, instead of making a worthwhile NEW story. Spirit IS a wonderful new story. Simple, yes, but beautifully done, with wonderful characters, few as they were. The only flaws with this film are, mainly, the songs. Spirit is decorated with loud, unnecessary, and totally inappropriate pop songs from Bryan Adams. This is nothing against Bryan Adams, I just think maybe he needs to avoid animation entanglements. In fact, I wish animation and pop songs would come together a lot less often. But anyways, they were the main scourge of the film, but also, the movie might have benefited from a touch more comic relief here and there. On the other hand, Disney usually is the only one who does comic relief right in animated films (though they failed for the most part in Atlantis), so maybe they went the right route here. But the bottom line: Dreamworks still has a ways to go before they are up to Disney's level in my opinion, but they still have some wonderful films, and this is definitely one of them. Be sure to see this film in theaters and pick it up when it's available on DVD!
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