Dylan Fair
Arts Editor
After a three-year hiatus from directing, Steven Spielberg has reemerged in the film world in a big way. Unlike the fourth installment of “Indiana Jones,” films such as “The Adventures of Tintin” and “War Horse” both demonstrate a return to form for the heralded director.
“War Horse” pulls directly Spielberg’s previous on screen blockbusters in style and storytelling. With stunning visuals and a classic old time feel “War Horse” is an unrelenting and sentimental tear jerker, however its lack of creativity and one dimensional performances throughout hold it back from greatness.
In the country side of Devon England, a thoroughbred colt is purchased by the poor farmer Ted Narracott (Peter Mullan). The horse is then named Joey and trained by Ted’s son Albert (Jeremy Irvine), over time the boy and horse become inseparable, but this relationship is shattered when the news of World War I reaches Devon.
Joey is sold into the military to pay for the upcoming rent, to the English officer Captain Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston) who promises to return Joey after the war. Albert is too young to enlist in the army, and the two friends are separated by the cold realties of war.
The strongest aspect of “War Horse” is its gorgeous cinematography. The sweeping hills of rural England serve as a beautiful backdrop to the opening scenes of the film. Likewise the fast paced fight scenes are dramatically accentuated by the rural eye candy of European landscapes so much so that audiences can draw emotions from nature itself.
One negative aspect of the film is overblown and stereotypical characters. The characters of “War Horse” are exactly as them seemed, all character types in the film fill a certain stereotype required in any piece of cinema. Mullan portrays the drunken but loveable father and Hiddleston the brave and strong willed solider.
This lack of character depth prevents audiences from developing special bonds with most human characters. This isn’t to say the actors in “War Horse” did not give strong performances; Irvine in the lead role gives a powerful and heartfelt effort, his interaction with Joey feels as genuine as a relationship could be.
If anything, the human performances in the film only increase audiences relationship with Joey, this relationship is crafted in a vintage Spielberg fashion. Viewer’s connection with the will remind many viewers of the classic “E.T.”
What ties “War Horse” together is its powerful, gritty, and old fashion script. While somewhat predictable, the plot of “War Horse” tugs at heart strings as any war movie should. Once again the story itself is not groundbreaking but it is so well put together that these faults can be overlooked.
“War Horse” never reaches the greatness of other Spielberg classics. However this film captivates audiences with beautiful camera work and a compelling story. Emotionally the film may be hard to watch at points, but Spielberg has put together a truly sincere film for audiences to enjoy.
“War Horse” opened on Christmas day and is rated PG-13. The film is playing in theaters nation-wide.
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