Hidalgo
DVD Review
Amy Stevens
Issue date: 9/10/04 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 1
Grade: B
Let's get this straight. "Hidalgo," directed by Joe Johnston, is not another "Seabiscuit." It seems that many moviegoers snub this perfectly fine film because they already saw a horse movie and they think that "Hidalgo" is trying to copy "Seabiscuit," which is simply not the case.
Taking place in the late 1800s, Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen), who has a deep bond with his horse, tests himself and his companion when they compete in a perilous race in the arid deserts of Arabia. He meets friends, enemies and a forbidden love who carry him through the film.
Coupled with beautiful cinematography and a loveable horse, "Hidalgo" is an old-fashioned adventure film that doesn't depend on violence and steamy sex scenes to make the plot interesting. Instead, Hopkins goes on an adventure that leads to self-awareness and true love.
Mortensen gives a charming and authentic performance as a quietspirited, rough-necked cowboy that can almost stand up to his role as Aragorn in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Playing Jazira, who wins Hopkins' heart, dark beauty Zuleikha Robinson portrays a traditional Arabian princess who always keeps her honor intact above all else. There is a delicious chemistry between Mortensen and Robinson that leaves viewers' eyes glued to the screen in tense hopes that they will at least be granted one chaste kiss (swoon).
Anyone who doubts the beauty of the desert is put at ease with the vivid cinematographic wonder. The romantically choreographed race and rescue scenes are usually accompanied by a breathtaking view of the desert landscape.
Following the tradition of spaghetti westerns, "Hidalgo" is only meant to be a good adventure story and fails any other expectations. Very loosely based on a true story, Johnston shows the dedication and companionship that cowboys had with their horses in the old days.
The ending would leave any animal lover teary-eyed, but its family nature allows one to have their grandparents or small children over for a trauma-free viewing.
The film could be categorized as a cross-breed of Stephen Sommers' "The Mummy" and Max Nosseck's "Black Beauty" in the way that it focuses on the bond between horse and human and is set in the far east.
So, now that its clear that neither Tobey Maguire nor Seabiscuit make an appearance in "Hidalgo," the film can be appreciated in its own right.
Let's get this straight. "Hidalgo," directed by Joe Johnston, is not another "Seabiscuit." It seems that many moviegoers snub this perfectly fine film because they already saw a horse movie and they think that "Hidalgo" is trying to copy "Seabiscuit," which is simply not the case.
Taking place in the late 1800s, Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen), who has a deep bond with his horse, tests himself and his companion when they compete in a perilous race in the arid deserts of Arabia. He meets friends, enemies and a forbidden love who carry him through the film.
Coupled with beautiful cinematography and a loveable horse, "Hidalgo" is an old-fashioned adventure film that doesn't depend on violence and steamy sex scenes to make the plot interesting. Instead, Hopkins goes on an adventure that leads to self-awareness and true love.
Mortensen gives a charming and authentic performance as a quietspirited, rough-necked cowboy that can almost stand up to his role as Aragorn in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Playing Jazira, who wins Hopkins' heart, dark beauty Zuleikha Robinson portrays a traditional Arabian princess who always keeps her honor intact above all else. There is a delicious chemistry between Mortensen and Robinson that leaves viewers' eyes glued to the screen in tense hopes that they will at least be granted one chaste kiss (swoon).
Anyone who doubts the beauty of the desert is put at ease with the vivid cinematographic wonder. The romantically choreographed race and rescue scenes are usually accompanied by a breathtaking view of the desert landscape.
Following the tradition of spaghetti westerns, "Hidalgo" is only meant to be a good adventure story and fails any other expectations. Very loosely based on a true story, Johnston shows the dedication and companionship that cowboys had with their horses in the old days.
The ending would leave any animal lover teary-eyed, but its family nature allows one to have their grandparents or small children over for a trauma-free viewing.
The film could be categorized as a cross-breed of Stephen Sommers' "The Mummy" and Max Nosseck's "Black Beauty" in the way that it focuses on the bond between horse and human and is set in the far east.
So, now that its clear that neither Tobey Maguire nor Seabiscuit make an appearance in "Hidalgo," the film can be appreciated in its own right.
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