War Horse

I've read a fair amount of reviews on this film and it really seems to be a case of liked it or didn't. And I have to say - I did.

Steven Spielberg's adaption of Micheal Mopurgo's well loved book as adapted for the stage follows Joey, a horse born in Devon and his journey over several years as he falls through various hands - from a young man in Devon, the British in World War 1 and then the German's to a stunningly hauntingly beautiful No Man's Land near the end of the War. All the way, showing through these loose stories the experiences of humanity against the onslaught of War.

This is Spielberg channeling David Lean, John Ford and painting a visual delight with every scene on the movie canvas. It's unashamedly old fashioned in it's approach and at times skirts familiar Spielberg sentimentality (though it is based on a kids book). But it works a heck of a lot more than it doesn't thanks to an evocative score, nice performances and those beautiful camera shots.

I was a bit cynical before watching this,wondering if it's haters had a point,i'd now say they're talking garbage.
This is a truely special movie about a boy and his love for a horse,with spectacular scenery that blew me and my two companions away.
This horse is bought at an auction for more money than the buyer can afford and he knows he's about to lose his farm and everything else. Feeling despair at his probable mistake,the old man turns to his usual drink and his son takes to the horse,he sees something special in him.
After it's proved the horse has got it,the desperate father stupidly sells the horse off as a war horse. At this point,the horse goes through various adventures connected with the war,various angles of it. Being owned by several people,some wonderful characters among them.
The scenes for the most part are incredibly done and left me in awe at how well this whole thing was put together,making two hours twenty gallop past.
Some scenes were too sentimental for some viewers (their loss i say),but they are done to perfection in my humble view. The scene where a German and an Englishman are working togegther to free the horse from it's horrifc tangle may well have some people reaching for the bucket and crying "unrealistic",but i thought it was done well enough to ask yourself if anyone really wanted to fight.
This film has been slated for the acting and being contrived,but i'd say the acting's fine and as for being being contrived,i just enjoyed it for being the stunning film it was,so these people can use whatever silly words they wish to try to justify their hatred of something this beautiful.
The music is as fitting as you'd expect it to be and Speilberg is on top form once again in doing what he does,magic!
I can't say for sure whoever is reading this will love the movie as much as i do,but i would say movies this stunning don't come along very often,it's not just brilliant,it's something special.